Hans Hammers, M.D., Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and a member of its Division of Hematology and Oncology. He is the inaugural Eugene P. Frenkel, M.D. Scholar in Clinical Medicine.
Originally from Germany, Dr. Hammers received his medical and doctoral degrees from the Medical University of Luebeck. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, and then received advanced training through a fellowship program in medical oncology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University.
Also at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Hammers led the kidney cancer research efforts and played a major role in the development of immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors in kidney cancer. His work in immunotherapy has been nationally recognized, and he has been the principal investigator on several industry- and investigator-sponsored trials.
Board certified in internal medicine and in medical oncology, he joined the UT Southwestern faculty in 2016.
He is co-leader of clinical research and immunotherapy for the kidney cancer research program and will be continuing his research efforts to develop novel immunotherapies for kidney cancer.
Hans Hammers, M.D., Ph.D., is a nationally and internationally recognized medical oncologist who focuses primarily on treating kidney cancer. Dr. Hammers’ expertise results in direct benefits for his patients, who receive access to the most advanced and promising treatment options.
Dr. Hammers trained as a fellow at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and joined the Johns Hopkins faculty in 2009; he led the medical oncology efforts in kidney cancer there through mid-2016.
During his time at Johns Hopkins, the kidney cancer program grew significantly in size and made important contributions to practice-changing research – in particular in immunotherapy.
Dr. Hammers appreciates the opportunity to focus on one disease.
“Many oncologists in the community may see only one or two kidney cancer patients a year. I am focused on this disease,” he says.
In his clinic, Dr. Hammers puts patients and their families first, offering cutting-edge treatments in a compassionate and caring environment.
“I treat every patient as I would want care for myself or my family,” he says.
He approaches patient care with the highest standards, guided by the individual’s wishes and goals.
“I’m straightforward with my patients but also empathetic and approachable,” he says. “I work with an outstanding team of multidisciplinary specialists, and we put together treatment plans that are best suited for each individual.”
Dr. Hammers is an international thought leader in immunotherapy, a form of treatment that boosts the body’s own immune defenses to help fight cancer – and one that is changing the kidney cancer landscape.
His goal is to continue to develop and improve innovative immunotherapies for kidney cancer and provide access to them for UT Southwestern patients.
“Immunotherapy holds curative potential. It’s a real game changer in oncology, and UT Southwestern is helping to lead the way in the development of new treatments for kidney cancer patients,” Dr. Hammers says.
