Board-Certified Oncologist & Hematologist in Tacoma and Gig Harbor, WA
“In treating patients I never lose sight of treating the whole person. I’m excited about the advancements in cancer treatment specifically new drug development and individualized clinical therapy.”
Dr. Jorge Chaves has been with Northwest Medical Specialties for over 15 years, where he serves as the Director of Phase I Clinical Research, leading efforts to bring high-quality, cutting-edge clinical trials to patients in the South Puget Sound. Through his leadership, NWMS has become a trusted destination for patients seeking access to the newest cancer therapies.
Dr. Chaves completed his medical degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, followed by an Internal Medicine residency at Boston University Medical Center, and a Hematology and Oncology fellowship at Yale University. He joined NWMS in 2011 and has been dedicated ever since to expanding access to innovative research for patients in our community.
With a focus on immunotherapy, bispecific antibodies, and targeted therapeutics, Dr. Chaves works tirelessly to ensure that every patient has access to the most promising treatment options available through clinical trials. His commitment to excellence in research is matched by his belief in personalized care—he takes great pride in working closely with each individual patient to craft a thoughtful, tailored treatment plan based on their unique diagnosis and goals.
Dr. Chaves is actively involved in shaping oncology care across the Pacific Northwest. He previously served on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the Washington State Medical Oncology Society (WSMOS), helping guide policy decisions that affect cancer care throughout the region.
During his time at NWMS, Dr. Chaves has co-authored numerous publications in prestigious journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO), Lancet Oncology, Blood, and Cancer Cell, contributing to research that advances care for patients with some of the most challenging cancers.
Dr. Jorge Chaves’s contributions to early-phase clinical research have materially advanced the development and FDA approval of multiple oncology therapeutics. His work spans targeted therapies, immuno-oncology, and antibody engineering. As a co-investigator on foundational and expansion studies of acalabrutinib, tucatinib, zanidatamab, and avelumab, his publications include first-in-human trials, dose-finding cohorts, and disease-specific efficacy studies that informed regulatory decision-making and label-enabling programs. His portfolio reflects sustained leadership in phase I clinical research, with particular emphasis on translational development, rational combination strategies, and practice-changing therapeutics.
Dr. Chaves has a special interest and expertise in the treatment of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, hematologic malignancies, multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and cancers of the head and neck, as well as a deep focus on early drug development through clinical trials.
Outside of work, Dr. Chaves enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He’s an avid supporter of outdoor activities and can often be found hiking, paddle-boarding, playing tennis, exploring our beautiful National Parks, or simply enjoying the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest.
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Medical School: The University of Texas Medical School at Houston
Internship: Boston University Medical Center
Residency: Boston University Medical Center
Fellowship: Yale Cancer Center – Yale University, New Haven CT
Board Certifications: Medical Oncology. Board Eligible for Internal Medicine, Hematology
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
- Bendell JC, Sharma S, Patel MR, et al., Chaves J, et al. Andecaliximab (GS-5745) combination strategies in advanced gastrointestinal malignancies: results from a phase I study. ESMO Open. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29691300/
- Meric-Bernstam F, Hamilton E, Beeram M, et al., Chaves J, et al. Early-phase evaluation of novel HER2-targeted strategies across advanced solid tumors. ESMO Open.
- Enzler T, Nguyen A, Misleh J, et al., Chaves J, et al. A multicenter, randomized phase 2 study to establish combinations of CBP501, cisplatin and nivolumab for ≥ 3rd-line treatment of patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Eur J Cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38422585/
- Meric-Bernstam F, Rha SY, Hamilton E, et al., Chaves J, et al. Zanidatamab monotherapy or combined with chemotherapy in HER2-expressing gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma: a phase 1 trial. Nature Communications. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-59279-z
- Gouda MA, Voss MH, Tawbi H, et al., Chaves J, et al. Telaglenastat (CB-839) in combination with nivolumab in metastatic melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase I/II study. ESMO Open. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40359708/
- Chen EX, Kavan P, Tehfe M, et al., Chaves J, et al. Pembrolizumab plus binimetinib with or without chemotherapy for MSS/pMMR metastatic colorectal cancer: outcomes from KEYNOTE-651 cohorts A, C, and E. Clinical Colorectal Cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38653648/
- Chen EX, Fakih M, Lieu CH, et al., Chaves J, et al. Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for microsatellite-stable metastatic colorectal cancer: additional KEYNOTE-651 cohort outcomes. Clinical Colorectal Cancer.
- Bendell JC, Patel MR, Infante JR, et al., Chaves J, et al. Phase I study of telaglenastat (CB-839) in combination with targeted and cytotoxic therapies in advanced solid tumors. Clinical Cancer Research.
- Meric-Bernstam F, Beeram M, Hamilton E, et al., Chaves J, et al. Zanidatamab, a novel bispecific antibody, for the treatment of HER2-expressing solid tumours: a phase 1 dose-escalation and expansion study. The Lancet Oncology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36400106/
- Byrd JC, Wierda WG, Schuh A, et al., Chaves JM, et al. Acalabrutinib monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: updated phase 2 results. Blood. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31876911/
- Bendell JC, Sharma S, Patel MR, et al., Chaves J, et al. Safety and efficacy of andecaliximab (GS-5745) plus gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: a phase I study. The Oncologist. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32812320/
- Halwani AS, Panizo C, Isufi I, et al., Chaves JM, et al. Phase 1/2 study of intratumoral G100 (TLR4 agonist) with or without pembrolizumab in follicular lymphoma. Leuk Lymphoma. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34865586/
- Ng K, Hendifar A, Starodub A, Chaves J, et al. Phase 1 dose-escalation study of momelotinib, a Janus kinase 1/2 inhibitor, combined with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Investigational New Drugs. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30105668/
- Disis ML, Taylor MH, Kelly K, et al., Chaves J, et al. Efficacy and safety of avelumab for recurrent or refractory ovarian cancer: phase 1b results from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial. JAMA Oncology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30676622/
- Vaishampayan U, Schöffski P, Ravaud A, et al., Chaves J, et al. Avelumab monotherapy as first- or second-line treatment in metastatic renal cell carcinoma: phase Ib results from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial. Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31651359/
- Shah MA, Bang YJ, Lordick F, et al., Chaves J, et al. Andecaliximab (GS-5745) alone and combined with mFOLFOX6 in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: results from a phase I study. Clinical Cancer Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29691300/
- Murthy R, Borges VF, Conlin A, Chaves J, et al. Tucatinib with capecitabine and trastuzumab in advanced HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: a phase 1b study. The Lancet Oncology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29804905/
- Byrd JC, Harrington B, O’Brien S, et al., Chaves J, et al. Acalabrutinib (ACP-196) in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The New England Journal of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26641137/
- Abou-Alfa GK, Le DT, Shroff RT, et al., Chaves J, et al. Durvalumab plus tremelimumab in previously treated biliary tract cancer: phase II study. Journal of Clinical Oncology.