Dr. Padmanee Sharma
M.D., Ph.D. (Immunology), MA Biotechnology, BA Biology
Professor of Genitourinary Medical Oncology & Immunology
corporate_fareMD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
Padmanee Sharma
M.D., Ph.D. (Immunology), MA Biotechnology, BA Biology
Dr. Padmanee Sharma is a physician-scientist and Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she leads research and clinical care in genitourinary medical oncology and cancer immunotherapy. She is Director of Scientific Programs for the James P. Allison Institute, Scientific Director of MD Anderson's Immunotherapy Platform, and Co-Director of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Centre at MD Anderson.
With more than two decades of experience across oncology, immunology, and translational research, Dr. Sharma is internationally recognised for pioneering neoadjuvant immune checkpoint therapy — she designed and led the first pre-surgical checkpoint therapy trial in 2006, helping establish the scientific and clinical value of giving immunotherapy before surgery. Her reverse-translational research model connects patient tumour biology, laboratory discovery, and rationally designed clinical trials, and has contributed to the development of nivolumab-based therapies that received FDA approval for metastatic bladder cancer and metastatic kidney cancer. As Scientific Director of MD Anderson's Immunotherapy Platform, she oversees immune monitoring studies connected to more than 100 immunotherapy clinical trials, and has received more than 20 distinguished honours including the William B. Coley Award and Fellowship of the AACR Academy.
MD Anderson Cancer Center operates a dedicated International Centre for patients travelling from outside the United States. CancerFax can help coordinate medical report preparation and case submission to MD Anderson, subject to hospital availability and case acceptance.
Why Consider Dr. Padmanee Sharma?
Dr. Sharma combines internationally recognised expertise in cancer immunotherapy with a rigorous, patient-centred translational research programme — offering patients with genitourinary cancers access to science-driven treatment strategies and clinical trial opportunities at one of the world's leading cancer centres.
Areas of Specialisation
Genitourinary oncology and cancer immunotherapy with a focus on bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers
Dr. Sharma's clinical and scientific expertise centres on immune checkpoint therapy, translational immune monitoring, and the biology of response and resistance to immunotherapy in genitourinary cancers.
Cancer Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint therapy and combination immunotherapy strategies for genitourinary and selected other cancers.
- arrow_rightAnti-PD-1 therapy including nivolumab-based regimens
- arrow_rightAnti-CTLA-4 therapy including ipilimumab-based research
- arrow_rightCombination immunotherapy strategies for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers
- arrow_rightBiomarker-guided patient selection and immune response monitoring
- arrow_rightPre-surgical immune checkpoint therapy for bladder and other cancers
- arrow_rightTumour tissue analysis before and after treatment to guide research and clinical decisions
- arrow_rightAssessment of ICOS-positive effector T cells and tertiary lymphoid structure formation
Genitourinary Medical Oncology
Specialist clinical care for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers, with a focus on immunotherapy, translational science, and multidisciplinary management.
- arrow_rightMedical oncology management for localised and metastatic urothelial carcinoma
- arrow_rightNeoadjuvant and adjuvant immunotherapy strategies
- arrow_rightBiomarker-driven treatment planning for checkpoint inhibitor candidacy
- arrow_rightImmunotherapy and targeted approaches for metastatic kidney cancer
- arrow_rightImmune response and resistance research in prostate cancer
- arrow_rightParticipation in clinical trials for genitourinary cancers
Translational Immunotherapy Research
Reverse-translational research connecting patient immune responses, tumour biology, and laboratory discovery to rationally designed clinical trials.
- arrow_rightVISTA-mediated immune resistance research
- arrow_rightIFN-pathway alterations affecting checkpoint therapy response
- arrow_rightEpigenetic resistance mechanisms including EZH2
- arrow_rightTumour microenvironment profiling in immunotherapy-resistant cancers
- arrow_rightOversight of immune monitoring in 100+ immunotherapy clinical trials at MD Anderson
- arrow_rightPatient tumour tissue and peripheral blood profiling
- arrow_rightBiomarker development to predict immunotherapy response
Procedures & Clinical Approaches
Medical oncology, immunotherapy, and translational clinical services for genitourinary cancers
Dr. Sharma's clinical practice at MD Anderson encompasses systemic cancer treatment, immune checkpoint therapy, biomarker-guided treatment planning, clinical trial enrolment, and second-opinion consultations for complex genitourinary cancers.
Systemic Cancer Treatment
Medical OncologyMedical oncology management for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers, including chemotherapy and systemic therapy protocols.
Immune Checkpoint Therapy
Targeted TherapyCheckpoint inhibitor programmes for eligible patients with bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer.
Biomarker-Guided Diagnosis & Staging
DiagnosisMolecular and immune profiling to support precise treatment planning for genitourinary cancers.
Clinical Trial Access
MultidisciplinaryEnrolment in MD Anderson immunotherapy and genitourinary oncology clinical trials for eligible patients.
Second Opinion Consultations
Second OpinionExpert independent review of complex genitourinary cancer cases — pathology, imaging, and treatment strategy.
Research & Publications
Translational immunotherapy research and peer-reviewed contributions in genitourinary oncology
Dr. Sharma has more than 200 research outputs associated with her profile at MD Anderson, with a publication record spanning immune checkpoint therapy, T-cell biology, nivolumab, ipilimumab, CTLA-4, and translational immune monitoring. Her research addresses mechanisms of response and resistance to immunotherapy in bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers.
A comprehensive list of Dr. Sharma's publications and research outputs is available through MD Anderson's faculty profile and Google Scholar. CancerFax can provide additional context on request.
Education & Training
Dr. Sharma completed her undergraduate degrees at Boston University, then earned her M.D. and Ph.D. in Immunology concurrently at Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine. She undertook residency training at New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center and her medical oncology and postdoctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Clinical Experience
Dr. Sharma has been a faculty member at MD Anderson Cancer Center since 2004, advancing from Assistant Professor to full Professor in both Genitourinary Medical Oncology and Immunology. She has held senior scientific and administrative leadership roles since 2012.
Languages & International
Dr. Sharma's verified consultation language is English. No additional languages have been confirmed in publicly available official sources.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients requiring consultation in languages other than English.
CancerFax can coordinate professional medical interpreter support for international patients consulting at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
How CancerFax Helps You Access Dr. Padmanee Sharma
CancerFax is a specialist cancer patient-navigation platform. We help international patients prepare structured medical summaries, assess treatment eligibility, and connect directly with Dr. Padmanee Sharma's team — with full coordination from initial inquiry to consultation.
Medical Report Review
Free review of your pathology results, imaging, molecular profiling, and treatment history — prepared as a structured clinical summary for Dr. Padmanee Sharma's team.
Treatment Eligibility Screening
CancerFax screens your case for eligibility for treatments and clinical programmes available through Dr. Padmanee Sharma before you travel, so you arrive with a clear pathway.
Case Submission
We coordinate direct case submission to Dr. Padmanee Sharma's department, including all documentation required for clinical review and appointment scheduling.
Appointment & Consultation Coordination
CancerFax manages appointment scheduling with Dr. Padmanee Sharma's team, confirming availability and aligning timelines with your travel plans.
Travel, Visa & Logistics Support
We prepare visa invitation letters, provide hospital-proximity accommodation guidance, and coordinate airport transfers for international patients.
Follow-Up & Continuity of Care
After your consultation or treatment, CancerFax facilitates communication between Dr. Padmanee Sharma's team and your home oncologist for seamless post-treatment follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Padmanee Sharma
Dr. Sharma specialises in genitourinary cancers — including bladder cancer, urothelial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), and prostate cancer — with a particular focus on cancer immunotherapy, immune checkpoint therapy, and translational research into mechanisms of immunotherapy response and resistance.
Dr. Sharma is a Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, USA — consistently ranked among the top cancer centres in the United States. She holds senior leadership roles in MD Anderson's Immunotherapy Platform, James P. Allison Institute, and the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy Centre at MD Anderson.
Dr. Sharma practices at MD Anderson Cancer Center, which operates a dedicated International Centre for patients travelling from outside the United States. CancerFax can help coordinate medical record preparation and case submission to MD Anderson. Appointment eligibility, format, costs, and travel requirements should be confirmed directly with MD Anderson or through a CancerFax care coordination pathway.
Submit your medical reports through CancerFax using the 'Send Your Reports' button. The CancerFax team will review the documents, prepare the case for submission, and coordinate the next steps with MD Anderson, subject to availability and case acceptance. For a second opinion, please include pathology reports, imaging, molecular profiling results, and your current treatment history.
Dr. Sharma is internationally recognised for her work in immune checkpoint therapy, including anti-PD-1 therapy (nivolumab) and anti-CTLA-4 therapy (ipilimumab), neoadjuvant immunotherapy before surgery, and combination immunotherapy strategies. Her translational research contributed to FDA approvals of nivolumab-based therapies for metastatic bladder cancer and metastatic kidney cancer.
MD Anderson states that second opinion appointments are treated as standard new patient appointments and that remote second opinions are not currently available. Second opinions generally require formal patient registration and in-person evaluation. Virtual consultations may be available only when clinically appropriate and subject to the patient's location and applicable regulations. Patients should confirm current options directly with MD Anderson or through CancerFax.
Dr. Sharma has received more than 20 distinguished honours, including Fellow of the AACR Academy (2024), the William B. Coley Award in Tumour Immunology (2018), the Emil Frei III Award for Excellence in Translational Research (2016), the Lloyd J. Old Team Science Award from the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (2020), and the Doris Duke Clinical Scientist Development Award (2008), among others.
Connect with Padmanee Sharma Today
Share your medical reports for a free preliminary review. Our patient coordinators will help you understand your options and arrange a direct consultation.
Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.