Michael J. Kaplan, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus

Academic Appointments

Emeritus Faculty - University Medical Line, Otolaryngology (Head and Neck Surgery)
Member, Stanford Cancer Institute

Administrative Appointments

Head & Neck Fellowship Director, Otolaryngology-Head&Neck Surgery (2003 - 2013)
Chief, Head & Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology-Head&Neck Surgery (2003 - 2013)
Head & Neck Oncology Program, Disease Management Leader, Stanford Cancer Center (2010 - 2013)

Honors & Awards

Phi Beta Kappa, Harvard College (1973)
Roger Boles Teaching award, UCSF (1987)
Chief Residents' Special Certificate of Merit, UCSF (1993)
Best Doctors in America, . (1998-2021)

Professional Education

Fellowship, University of Virginia, Head & Neck; Skull Base Surgery (1984)
Residency, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (1982)
MD, Harvard Medical School (1977)
BA, Harvard College, Molecular Biology (1973)

Community and International Work

Scientific Review Committee, Stanford Cancer Center

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International

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Institutional Review Board, Stanford, Stanford

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Bay Area

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true

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Ethic Committee

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AAO-HNS

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US

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American Youth Soccer Organization referree

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Mill Valley Schools Configuration Task Forc, Mill Valley

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Advisory to School Board re: demographics and facilities

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K-8

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Current Research and Scholarly Interests

1) New therapeutic approaches for head and neck cancer, including immune stimulation possibilities (IRX-2 protocol), integration of biological modifiers, and, eventually, genetic approaches.
2) Head and neck cancer stem cells: identification, characterization, control--in conjunction with the Irv Weissman and Michael Clarke labs in the Stem Cell Institute
3) Development of innovative surgical methods at the anterior cranial base

Clinical Trials

Radiation Therapy and Cisplatin With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer Not Recruiting
More
RATIONALE: Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Cisplatin may also make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving radiation therapy and cisplatin together with cetuximab may kill more tumor cells. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy and cisplatin are more effective with or without cetuximab in treating head and neck cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy, cisplatin, and cetuximab to see how well they work compared to radiation therapy and cisplatin in treating patients with stage III or stage IV head and neck cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Trevor Elizabeth Krakow, 6507254777.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Cetuximab IRDye800 Study as an Optical Imaging Agent to Detect Cancer During Surgical Procedures Not Recruiting
More
This study is an open label, single institution, Phase 1 dose-escalation study to determine the safety profile of cetuximab-IRDye800 used in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that undergo surgery with curative intent. Participants will be given a dose of an approved head and neck cancer drug (Cetuximab) along with an investigational study drug called Cetuximab-IRDye800. Cetuximab-IRDye800 is a drug that is given prior to surgery that attaches to cancer cells and appears to make them visible to the doctor when he uses a special camera during the operation. The investigators are evaluating whether or not the use of the study drug along with the special camera will better identify the cancer while patients are in the operating room.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Alifia Hasan, 650-721-4088.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
A Phase 2 Clinical Trial of the Safety and Effects of IRX-2 in Treating Patients With Operable Head and Neck Cancer Not Recruiting
More
This was a Phase 2a trial to investigate the safety and biological activity of the RIX-2 Regimen in patients with untreated, resectable squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC).

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Ruth Lira, 6507231367.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Cervical Nodal Mets in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of H&N - MRI, FDG-PET, & Histopathologic Correlation Not Recruiting
More
The purpose of this study is to determine the value of novel non-invasive medical imaging methods for detecting the spread of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to the lymph nodes in the neck by comparing their results to findings at the time of surgery.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Quynh-Thu Le, 6504986184.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Biopsy of Human Tumors for Cancer Stem Cell Characterization: a Feasibility Study Not Recruiting
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To see if a limited sampling of tumor tissue from human subjects is a feasible way to gather adequate tissue for cancer stem cell quantification.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Ruth Lira, 650-723-1367.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
RT With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients Who Have Undergone Surgery for Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Not Recruiting
More
RATIONALE: Giving radiation therapy that uses a 3-dimensional (3-D) image of the tumor to help focus thin beams of radiation directly on the tumor, and giving radiation therapy in higher doses over a shorter period of time, may kill more tumor cells and have fewer side effects. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. It is not yet known whether radiation therapy is more effective when given alone or together with cetuximab in treating patients with head and neck cancer that has been removed by surgery. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying radiation therapy to see how well it works compared with radiation therapy given together with cetuximab in treating patients who have undergone surgery for locally advanced head and neck cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Alice Banh, 650-723-1423.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Identification and Characterization of Novel Proteins and Genes in Head and Neck Cancer Recruiting
More
Through this study, we hope to learn more about the mechanisms, which may contribute to development and progression of head and neck cancer. The long-term goal of this study will be to develop new strategies and drugs for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Panitumumab IRDye800 Optical Imaging Study Not Recruiting
More
Phase I trial to evaluate the safety of escalating dose levels of conjugated panitumumab-IRDye800 in subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) that undergo surgery with curative intent.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Alifia Hasan, 650-721-4088.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
IRX-2 Regimen in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Stage II, III, or IVA Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity Not Recruiting
More
The purpose of this study is to determine whether a pre-operative regimen of the study drug, IRX-2, a human cell-derived biologic with multiple active cytokine components, plus a single dose of cyclophosphamide, followed by 21 days of indomethacin, zinc-containing multivitamins, and omeprazole is active in treatment of oral cavity cancer. The regimen is intended to stimulate an immune response against the cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Priya Hegde, 650-723-0920.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
- Michael J. Kaplan, MD
- A. Dimitrios Colevas, MD
View full details
Multispectral Imaging to Characterize Patterns of Vascular Supply Within Lymphoepithelial Mucosa in Oropharyngeal Cancer Not Recruiting
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The purpose of this study is to characterize the blood supply at the base of the tongue and within the tonsil region. We hypothesize that high-resolution Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) will improve the diagnosis of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC). The goal is to provide the better assessment of tumor and thus providing better preoperative expectations to patients with OPC or tumor extent prior to radiation therapy.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Nikta Bedi, 650-723-5957.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Testing Docetaxel-Cetuximab or the Addition of an Immunotherapy Drug, Atezolizumab, to the Usual Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in High-Risk Head and Neck Cancer Recruiting
More
This phase II/III trial studies how well radiation therapy works when given together with cisplatin, docetaxel, cetuximab, and/or atezolizumab after surgery in treating patients with high-risk stage III-IV head and neck cancer the begins in the thin, flat cells (squamous cell). Specialized radiation therapy that delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin and docetaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as atezolizumab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. The purpose of this study is to compare the usual treatment (radiation therapy with cisplatin chemotherapy) to using radiation therapy with docetaxel and cetuximab chemotherapy, and using the usual treatment plus an immunotherapy drug, atezolizumab.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Imaging and Biomarkers of Hypoxia in Solid Tumors Not Recruiting
More
Hypoxia, meaning a lack of oxygen, has been associated strongly with a wide range of human cancers. Hypoxia occurs when tumor growth exceeds the ability of blood vessels to supply the tumor with oxygenated blood. It is currently understood that hypoxic tumors are more aggressive. Current methods for measuring hypoxia include invasive procedures such as tissue biopsy, or insertion of an electrode into the tumor. EF5-PET may be a non-invasive way to measure tumor hypoxia.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Justin Carter, 650-725-4796.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Individualized Treatment in Treating Patients With Stage II-IVB Nasopharyngeal Cancer Based on EBV DNA Not Recruiting
More
There are two study questions we are asking in this randomized phase II/III trial based on a blood biomarker, Epstein Barr virus (EBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) for locoregionally advanced non-metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer. All patients will first undergo standard concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. When this standard treatment is completed, if there is no detectable EBV DNA in their plasma, then patients are randomized to either standard adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil chemotherapy or observation. If there is still detectable levels of plasma EBV DNA, patients will be randomized to standard cisplatin and fluorouracil chemotherapy versus gemcitabine and paclitaxel. Radiation therapy uses high energy x rays to kill tumor cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cisplatin, fluorouracil, gemcitabine hydrochloride, and paclitaxel work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. It is not yet known whether giving cisplatin and fluorouracil is more effective than gemcitabine hydrochloride and paclitaxel after radiation therapy in treating patients with nasopharyngeal cancer.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Polly Young, 650-497-7499.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Lapatinib and Radiation for Stage III-IV Head and Neck Cancer Patients Who Cannot Tolerate Concurrent Chemotherapy Not Recruiting
More
We propose to combine lapatinib with RT alone in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who cannot tolerate chemotherapy. The main objective of the study is to determine the efficacy of combining concurrent radiation and lapatinib in terms of time-to-progression (TTP) in this group of patients. In addition, we will determine the 2-year locoregional control rate (LRC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in these patients. We will also evaluate the profile and frequency of late toxicity, specifically mucosal and dermatologic toxicity, of the combination of lapatinib and RT in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Brian Khong, 6507254777.
Lead Sponsor
Stanford Investigators
View full details
Cisplatin and ZD1839 + Re-Irradiation in Recurrent Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck Not Recruiting
More
To determine safety profile of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antagonist, ZD1839 in combination with cisplatin and radiation therapy in patients with local-regional recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. To study the effects of ZD1839 combined with either cisplatin or radiotherapy on signal transduction pathway gene expression in tumor cells in patients with local-regional recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck using micro array analysis from tumor samples taken at the time of relapse and during treatment.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Priscilla Wong, 6507254777.

Lead Sponsor
- Stanford University
Stanford Investigators
View full details

2023-24 Courses

Independent Studies
- Directed Reading in Otolaryngology
  OTOHNS 299 (Win)
- Graduate Research
  OTOHNS 399 (Sum)
- Medical Scholars Research
  OTOHNS 370 (Aut, Win, Spr, Sum)
- Undergraduate Research
  OTOHNS 199 (Win, Spr)

Graduate and Fellowship Programs

All Publications

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174 Total Publications

Michael J. Kaplan, MD

Professor of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus

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Beth Beadle

Professor of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy)

Cynthia Chuang

Clinical Professor, Radiation Oncology - Radiation Physics

A. Dimitrios Colevas, MD

Professor of Medicine (Oncology) and, by courtesy, of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) and of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy)

Maximilian Diehn, MD, PhD

Jack, Lulu, and Sam Willson Professor and Professor of Radiation Oncology (Radiation Therapy)

Vasu Divi, MD

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Sarah S. Donaldson, MD

Catharine and Howard Avery Professor in the School of Medicine, Emerita

Willard ("Bill") E. Fee, Jr., MD

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Nancy Fischbein

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George A. Fisher Jr.

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