Professor, Department of Hematology/Oncology
As the son of a radiation oncologist, hearing stories of courage is what inspired me to pursue a career in medical oncology and hematology. Facing a cancer diagnosis is extremely tough for patients and their families. My father was diagnosed with glioblastoma when I was a resident, and I experienced firsthand the fear and anxiety of seeing a family member go through treatment.
My past 20 years in private practice have been extremely rewarding. I pride myself on building trusting and compassionate relationships with my patients and their families. My goal as a physician is to provide exceptional cancer care and encouraging you to make informed decisions.
I am excited about my return to Fox Chase Cancer Center to collaborate with multidisciplinary, world-class team of clinicians, nurses, social workers and subspecialists. Together, we can offer an extraordinary level of expertise and support to our patients at all stages of disease.
I love spending time with my wife, children and our dog, Daisy. My hobbies include playing word games, reading crime novels and traveling. I am also an avid Philly sports fan. Go Birds!
Gastrointestinal cancers, general hematology/medical oncology
Won J, Zhao E, States M, Brown R, El-Habr A, Damsker J. Pembrolizumab-induced Myasthenia Gravis and Myocarditis. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect. 2024 May 7;14(3):85-88. doi: 10.55729/2000-9666.1352. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39036582
Willard PJ, Damsker JA, Pickens PV. Effects of Green Tea of Various Types of Indolent Low Grade B-Cell Lymphomas. Blood (2020) 136 (Supple 1): 15-16.
Micaily I, Gagnon M-H, Friedenheim R, Damsker JA. A Rare Case of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistocytosis of Unknown Etiology. Blood 2017 130: no. Supple 1 4831.
Josep Tabernero et al. + RAISE Study Investigators (one of the RAISE Study Investigators, J. Damsker). Ramucirumab versus placebo in combination with second-line FOLFIRI in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma that progressed during or after first-line therapy with bevacizumab, oxaliplatin, and a fluoropyrimidine (RAISE): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 study. Lancet Oncol. 2015 May;16(5):499-508. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(15)70127-0. Epub 2015 Apr 12
Pasi A. Janne, MD, PhD, Antoinette J. Wozniak, MD, Chandra P. Belani, MD, et al, on behalf of pemetrexed expanded access program investigators (one of the Pemetrexed EAP investigators, J Damsker). Pemetrexed Alone or in Combination with Cisplatin in Previously Treated Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Outcomes from a Phase IIIB Pemetrexed Expanded Access Program. J Thorac Oncol 2006 Jul;1(6):506-12.
Kramer NM, Horwitz EM, Cheng J, Ridge JA, Feigenberg SJ, Nicolau N, Sherman EJ, Babb JS, Damsker JA, Langer CJ. Toxicity and Outcome Analysis of Patients with Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Hyperfractionated Split-course Reirraadiation and Concurrent Cisplatin and Paclitaxel Chemotherapy from Two Prospective Phase I and II Studies. Head Neck. 27:406-14. May 2005.
Langer C, Damsker J, Ridge A. Reirradiation: Exploring New Territory in the Therapy of Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer. Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology. 1(7):424-429, 440. July 2003.
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