Taher Abu Hejleh

Consultant, Hematology & Medical Oncology

Education and Training

1998 – 2004: MBBS, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) School of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan
2011 – 2014: Master’s Degree in Clinical Investigation, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
2006 – 2009: Residency, Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2009 – 2011: Fellowship in Medical Hematology and Oncology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2011 – 2012: Chief Fellowship in Medical Hematology and Oncology
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa

Board Certifications

ECFMG
American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology
American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Hematology
Jordanian Board of Medical Oncology

Experience

2012 – 2016: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2012 – 2016: Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa
2013 – 2016: Leader of the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Group. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2014 – 2015: Chief of the Hematology and Oncology Division. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa
2014 – 2016: Director of the Inpatient Oncology Services. University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2014 – 2016: Director of Clinical Information Systems for the Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2016 – 2019: Director of Outpatient Clinics, King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), Amman, Jordan
2017 – 2019: Head of the Thoracic Oncology Service, KHCC, Amman, Jordan
2017 – 2019: Joint Faculty Appointee, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
2016 – 2019: Associate Director - Oncology Fellowship Program, KHCC, Amman, Jordan
2016 – 2022: Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
2019: Director of the Cancer Diagnostic Clinic – Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa City, Iowa
2020: Coordinator of the Cancer Survivorship Program – Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa City, Iowa
2020: Medical Director of Clinical Services – Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, Iowa City, Iowa
2022: Professor of Medicine at University of Iowa

Professional Memberships

2004 – Present: Jordan Medical Association
2009 – Present: American Society of Clinical Oncology
2009 – 2016: CALGB/ Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
2012 – 2016: Phase II Consortium – Mayo Clinic
2013 – 2022: Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium

Awards And Honors

1998: Scholarship to Study Medicine, JUST, Irbid, Jordan
1999: Honor List, JUST, Irbid, Jordan
2001: Honor List, JUST, Irbid, Jordan
2011: Chief Fellowship in Medical Hematology and Oncology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2012: Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Merit Award
2013: Teacher of the Year, Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Blood & Marrow Transplantation, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2014: Teacher of the Year. Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa
2021: Top 10% in the nation for patient experience – United States of America

Publications

Ardeshir-Larijani F, Althouse SK, Leal T, Feldman LE, Hejleh TA, Patel M, Gentzler RD, Miller AR, Hanna NH. A Phase II Trial of Atezolizumab Plus Carboplatin Plus Pemetrexed Plus Bevacizumab in the Treatment of Patients with Stage IV Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (BTCRC)- LUN 17-139. Clinical lung cancer 2022.
Mohamad I, Abu-Hijleh F, Mayta E, Abu-Hejleh T, Al-Gargaz W, Al Mousa A, Abu-Hijlih R, Hosni A. Comparison of Two Standard Treatment Approaches in Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. South Asian Journal of Cancer 2022.
Furqan M, Abu-Hejleh T, Stephens LM, Hartwig SM, Mott SL, Pulliam CF, Petronek M, Henrich JB, Fath MA, Houtman JC, Varga SM, Bodeker KL, Bossler AD, Bellizzi AM, Zhang J, Monga V, Mani H, Ivanovic M, Smith BJ, Byrne MM, Zeitler W, Wagner BA, Buettner GR, Cullen JJ, Buatti JM, Spitz DR, Allen BG. Pharmacological ascorbate improves the response to platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer. Redox Biol 2022; 53: 102318.
Field MG, Boldt HC, Abu Hejleh T, Binkley EM. Successful response to first-line treatment with osimertinib for choroidal metastasis from EGFR-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2022; 26: 101459.
Safi D, Abu Hejleh T, Furqan M. Narrative review: mesenchymal-epithelial transition inhibitors-meeting their target. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10(1): 462-74.
Chau J, Yadav M, Liu B, Furqan M, Dai Q, Shahi S, Gupta A, Mercer KN, Eastman E, Hejleh TA, Chan C, Weiner GJ, Cherwin C, Lee STM, Zhong C, Mangalam A, Zhang J. Prospective correlation between the patient microbiome with response to and development of immune-mediated adverse effects to immunotherapy in lung cancer. BMC Cancer 2021; 21(1): 808.
An J, Yan M, Yu N, Chennamadhavuni A, Furqan M, Mott SL, Loeffler BT, Kruser T, Sita TL, Feldman L, Nguyen R, Pasquinelli M, Hanna NH, Abu Hejleh T. Outcomes of patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that harbor a STK11 mutation. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10(8): 3608-15.
Clamon G, Zeitler W, An J, Hejleh TA. Transformational Changes Between Non-Small Cell and Small Cell Lung Cancer-Biological and Clinical Relevance-A Review. Am J Clin Oncol 2020; 43(9): 670-5.
Abuhijla F, Al-Mousa A, Abuhijlih R, Hammoudeh L, Dibs K, Al-Hammadi A, Abuhejleh T, Khader J. Variables altering the impact of respiratory gated CT simulation on planning target volume in radiotherapy for lung cancer. Reports of practical oncology and radiotherapy : journal of Greatpoland Cancer Center in Poznan and Polish Society of Radiation Oncology 2019; 24(2): 175-9.
Abu Hejleh T, Furqan M, Ballas Z, Clamon G. The clinical significance of soluble PD-1 and PD-L1 in lung cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2019; 143: 148-52.
Swami U, Lenert P, Furqan M, Abu Hejleh T, Clamon G, Zhang J. Atezolizumab after Nivolumab-Induced Inflammatory Polyarthritis: Can Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy Be Administered after Anti-PD-1-Related Immune Toxicities? J Thorac Oncol 2018; 13(6): e102-e3.
Hejleh TA, Abushahin L, Keech J, Allen BG, Parekh KR, Furqan M, Iannettoni M, Zamba GKD, Mott SL, Clamon G. Screening Patients with Esophageal Cancer to Determine Eligibility for Adjuvant Treatment Trials. Anticancer Res 2018; 38(9): 5247-51.
Furqan M, Tien YY, Schroeder MC, Parekh KR, Keech J, Allen BG, Thomas A, Zhang J, Clamon G, Abu Hejleh T. Lobar versus sub-lobar surgery for pulmonary typical carcinoid, a population-based analysis. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10(10): 5850-9.
Assali M, Shakaa A, Abu-Hejleh S, Abu-Omar R, Karajeh N, Ajory N, Zyoud S, Sweileh W. A cross-sectional study of the availability and pharmacist's knowledge of nano-pharmaceutical drugs in Palestinian hospitals. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18(1): 250.
Abdel-Razeq H, Barbar M, Abu Hejleh T, Mansour A. Cancer care for adolescents and young adults in Jordan. East Mediterr Health J 2018; 24(7): 687-95.
Zahra A, Fath MA, Opat E, Mapuskar KA, Bhatia SK, Ma DC, Rodman SN, III, Snyders TP, Chenard CA, Eichenberger-Gilmore JM, Bodeker KL, Ahmann L, Smith BJ, Vollstedt SA, Brown HA, Hejleh TA, Clamon GH, Berg DJ, Szweda LI, Spitz DR, Buatti JM, Allen BG. Consuming a Ketogenic Diet while Receiving Radiation and Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Lung Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer: The University of Iowa Experience of Two Phase 1 Clinical Trials. Radiat Res 2017; 187(6): 743-54.
Schoenfeld JD, Sibenaller ZA, Mapuskar KA, Wagner BA, Cramer-Morales KL, Furqan M, Sandhu S, Carlisle TL, Smith MC, Abu Hejleh T, Berg DJ, Zhang J, Keech J, Parekh KR, Bhatia S, Monga V, Bodeker KL, Ahmann L, Vollstedt S, Brown H, Shanahan Kauffman EP, Schall ME, Hohl RJ, Clamon GH, Greenlee JD, Howard MA, Schultz MK, Smith BJ, Riley DP, Domann FE, Cullen JJ, Buettner GR, Buatti JM, Spitz DR, Allen BG. O2(-) and H2O2-Mediated Disruption of Fe Metabolism Causes the Differential Susceptibility of NSCLC and GBM Cancer Cells to Pharmacological Ascorbate. Cancer Cell 2017; 31(4): 487-500 e8.
Plichta K, Camden N, Furqan M, Hejleh TA, Clamon GH, Zhang J, Flynn RT, Bhatia SK, Smith MC, Buatti JM, Allen BG. SBRT to adrenal metastases provides high local control with minimal toxicity. Adv Radiat Oncol 2017; 2(4): 581-7.
Mohamad I, Salem A, Abu Hejleh T, Wadi-Ramahi S, Qandeel M, El Khatib S, Asha W, Mhied S, Al Saraireh O, Al-Gargaz W, Abdulelah H, Hosni A, Al Mousa A. Peer-assisted Learning: Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy Transition in Developing Countries. Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol) 2017; 29(10): 689-95.
Mapuskar KA, Flippo KH, Schoenfeld JD, Riley DP, Strack S, Hejleh TA, Furqan M, Monga V, Domann FE, Buatti JM, Goswami PC, Spitz DR, Allen BG. Mitochondrial Superoxide Increases Age-Associated Susceptibility of Human Dermal Fibroblasts to Radiation and Chemotherapy. Cancer Res 2017; 77(18): 5054-67.
Zahra A, Chang T, Hejleh TA, Furqan M, Clamon GH, Bhatia SK, Watkins JM, Mott SL, Ahmann LL, Bodeker KL, Spitz DR, Buatti JM, Allen BG. Once Daily High-dose Radiation (>/=60 Gy) Treatment in Limited Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer. J Oncol Transl Res 2016; 2(1).
Schroeder MC, Tien YY, Wright K, Halfdanarson TR, Abu-Hejleh T, Brooks JM. Geographic variation in the use of adjuvant therapy among elderly patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer. Lung Cancer 2016; 95: 28-34.
Schroeder MC, Chapman CG, Nattinger MC, Halfdanarson TR, Abu-Hejleh T, Tien YY, Brooks JM. Variation in geographic access to chemotherapy by definitions of providers and service locations: a population-based observational study. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16: 274.
Chiappori AA, Otterson GA, Dowlati A, Traynor AM, Horn L, Owonikoko TK, Ross HJ, Hann CL, Abu Hejleh T, Nieva J, Zhao X, Schell M, Sullivan DM. A Randomized Phase II Study of Linsitinib (OSI-906) Versus Topotecan in Patients With Relapsed Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Oncologist 2016; 21(10): 1163-4.
Abu-Hejleh T, Chrischilles EA, Halfdanarson TR, Simon C, Pendergast JF, Jiang D, Smith CJ, Porter AT, Carter KD, Wallace RB, Cancer Care Outcomes R, Surveillance C. The Effect of Receiving Treatment Within a Clinical Trial Setting on Survival and Quality of Care Perception in Advanced Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Am J Clin Oncol 2016; 39(2): 126-31.
Schroeder MC, Lynch CF, Abu-Hejleh T, Chrischilles EA, Thomas A. Chemotherapy use and surgical treatment by receptor subtype in node-negative T1a and T1b female breast cancers, Iowa SEER Registry, 2010 to 2012. Clin Breast Cancer 2015; 15(1): e27-34.
Raman R, Deorah S, McDowell BD, Abu Hejleh T, Lynch CF, Gupta A. Changing incidence of esophageal cancer among white women: analysis of SEER data (1992-2010). Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2015; 19(4): 338-40.
Clamon GH, Bossler AD, Abu Hejleh T, Furqan M. Germline mutations predisposing to non-small cell lung cancer. Fam Cancer 2015; 14(3): 463-9.
Leon-Ferre RA, Abu Hejleh TB, Halfdanarson TR. Extravasation of oxaliplatin into the mediastinum: a case report and review of the literature. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2012; 10(8): 546-8.
Abu-Hejleh T, Mezhir JJ, Goodheart MJ, Halfdanarson TR. Incidence and management of gastrointestinal perforation from bevacizumab in advanced cancers. Curr Oncol Rep 2012; 14(4): 277-84.
Abu Hejleh T, Deyoung BR, Engelman E, Deutsch JM, Zimmerman B, Halfdanarson TR, Berg DJ, Parekh KR, Lynch WR, Iannettoni MD, Bhatia S, Clamon G. Relationship between HER-2 overexpression and brain metastasis in esophageal cancer patients. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2012; 4(5): 103-8.
Abu Hejleh T, Clamon G. Advances in the systemic treatment of leptomeningeal cancer. Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 2012; 10(3): 166-70.

Academic Rank

Full Member

Contact Information

Email Address: ta.11703@khcc.jo
Phone Number: 0096265300460