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In Memoriam: Felix Feng, MD

Felix Feng, MD

This week, UCSF lost a cherished friend and colleague with the passing of Felix Feng, MD, from cancer. We offer our deepest condolences to Felix’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Since joining UCSF in 2016, Felix held numerous leadership roles that advanced our mission and strengthened our institution. He was a George and Judy Marcus Distinguished Professor; a Professor of Radiation Oncology, Urology and Medicine; Vice Chair for Translational Research in the UCSF Department of Radiation Oncology; Director, Benioff Initiative for Prostate Cancer Research; Associate Director for Translational Clinical Research; and Co-Leader, Prostate Cancer Program, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Felix’s vision, dedication, and commitment inspired colleagues, peers everywhere, and patients. He embodied the very essence of our mission at the cancer center: to push the boundaries of science, deliver compassionate care, and make a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families, and those he mentored. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the impact of his work.

As we reflect on Felix’s life and contributions to the field, please take a moment to read a bit more about him. While this page offers only a brief glimpse into his impactful work, we hope it serves as a tribute to his deep compassion and remarkable career.

Felix Feng UCSF
Felix Feng Lab at UCSF
Prostate Cancer Program Leaaders UCSF

A Lifetime of Contributions

Recent Publications
  • Nguyen T, Sridaran D, Chouhan S, Weimholt C, Wilson A, Luo J, Li T, Koomen J, Fang B, Putluri N, Sreekumar A, Feng FY, Mahajan K, Mahajan NP. Author Correction: Histone H2A Lys130 acetylation epigenetically regulates androgen production in prostate cancer. Nat Commun. 2023 Sep 27; 14(1):6022.  View on PubMed
  • Hosono Y, Niknafs YS, Prensner JR, Iyer MK, Dhanasekaran SM, Mehra R, Pitchiaya S, Tien J, Escara-Wilke J, Poliakov A, Chu SC, Saleh S, Sankar K, Su F, Guo S, Qiao Y, Freier SM, Bui HH, Cao X, Malik R, Johnson TM, Beer DG, Feng FY, Zhou W, Chinnaiyan AM. Oncogenic Role of THOR, a Conserved Cancer/Testis Long Non-coding RNA. Cell. 2023 Sep 14; 186(19):4254-4255.  View on PubMed
  • Roy S, Romero T, Michalski JM, Feng FY, Efstathiou JA, Lawton CAF, Bolla M, Maingon P, de Reijke T, Joseph D, Ong WL, Sydes MR, Dearnaley DP, Tree AC, Carrier N, Nabid A, Souhami L, Incrocci L, Heemsbergen WD, Pos FJ, Zapatero A, Guerrero A, Alvarez A, San-Segundo CG, Maldonado X, Reiter RE, Rettig MB, Nickols NG, Steinberg ML, Valle LF, Ma TM, Farrell MJ, Neilsen BK, Juarez JE, Deng J, Vangala S, Avril N, Jia AY, Zaorsky NG, Sun Y, Spratt D, Kishan AU, Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials in Cancer of the Prostate (MARCAP) Consortium Investigators. Biochemical Recurrence Surrogacy for Clinical Outcomes After Radiotherapy for Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Aug 28; JCO2300617.  View on PubMed
  • Zivanovic A, Miller JT, Munro SA, Knutson TP, Li Y, Passow CN, Simonaitis P, Lynch M, Oseth L, Zhao SG, Feng FY, Wikström P, Corey E, Morrissey C, Henzler C, Raphael BJ, Dehm SM. Co-evolution of AR gene copy number and structural complexity in endocrine therapy resistant prostate cancer. NAR Cancer. 2023 Sep; 5(3):zcad045.  View on PubMed
  • Lundberg A, Zhang M, Aggarwal R, Li H, Zhang L, Foye A, Sjöström M, Chou J, Chang K, Moreno-Rodriguez T, Shrestha R, Baskin A, Zhu X, Weinstein AS, Younger N, Alumkal JJ, Beer TM, Chi KN, Evans CP, Gleave M, Lara PN, Reiter RE, Rettig MB, Witte ON, Wyatt AW, Feng FY, Small EJ, Quigley DA. The Genomic and Epigenomic Landscape of Double-Negative Metastatic Prostate Cancer. Cancer Res. 2023 08 15; 83(16):2763-2774.  View on PubMed
  • Sutera P, Shetty AC, Song Y, Hodges T, Hoang T, Rana Z, Pienta K, Feng F, Song DY, DeWeese T, Gillessen S, Sweeney C, James N, Attard G, Deek M, Tran PT. Identification of a Predictive Genomic Biomarker for Prostate-directed Therapy in Synchronous Low-volume Metastatic Castration-sensitive Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol Oncol. 2023 Aug 08.  View on PubMed
  • Sabbagh A, Tilki D, Feng J, Huland H, Graefen M, Wiegel T, Böhmer D, Hong JC, Valdes G, Cowan JE, Cooperberg M, Feng FY, Mohammad T, Shelan M, D'Amico AV, Carroll PR, Mohamad O. Multi-institutional Development and External Validation of a Machine Learning Model for the Prediction of Distant Metastasis in Patients Treated by Salvage Radiotherapy for Biochemical Failure After Radical Prostatectomy. Eur Urol Focus. 2023 Jul 26.  View on PubMed
  • Chappidi MR, Sjöström M, Greenland NY, Cowan JE, Baskin AS, Shee K, Simko JP, Chan E, Stohr BA, Washington SL, Nguyen HG, Quigley DA, Davicioni E, Feng FY, Carroll PR, Cooperberg MR. Transcriptomic Heterogeneity of Expansile Cribriform and Other Gleason Pattern 4 Prostate Cancer Subtypes. Eur Urol Oncol. 2024 Apr; 7(2):222-230.  View on PubMed
  • Li M, Xu G, Cui Y, Wang M, Wang H, Xu X, Duan S, Shi J, Feng F. CT-based radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of microsatellite instability and clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer: a multicentre study. Clin Radiol. 2023 Oct; 78(10):e741-e751.  View on PubMed
  • Dahl DM, Karrison TG, Michaelson MD, Pham HT, Wu CL, Swanson GP, Shipley WU, Vuky J, Lee RJ, Zietman AL, Souhami L, Chang BK, Deming RL, Ellerton JA, Sandler HM, Rodgers JP, Feng FY, Efstathiou JA. Long-term Outcomes of Chemoradiation for Muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer in Noncystectomy Candidates. Final Results of NRG Oncology RTOG 0524-A Phase 1/2 Trial of Paclitaxel + Trastuzumab with Daily Radiation or Paclitaxel Alone with Daily Irradiation. Eur Urol Oncol. 2023 Jul 11.  View on PubMed
  • Sood A, Kishan AU, Evans CP, Feng FY, Morgan TM, Murphy DG, Padhani AR, Pinto P, Van der Poel HG, Tilki D, Briganti A, Abdollah F. The Impact of Positron Emission Tomography Imaging and Tumor Molecular Profiling on Risk Stratification, Treatment Choice, and Oncological Outcomes of Patients with Primary or Relapsed Prostate Cancer: An International Collaborative Review of the Existing Literature. Eur Urol Oncol. 2023 Jul 07.  View on PubMed
  • Sutera P, Skinner H, Witek M, Mishra M, Kwok Y, Davicioni E, Feng F, Song D, Nichols E, Tran PT, Bergom C. Histology Specific Molecular Biomarkers: Ushering in a New Era of Precision Radiation Oncology. Semin Radiat Oncol. 2023 07; 33(3):232-242.  View on PubMed
  • Feng F, Miladinovic B, Zhang K, Dignam JJ, Wang D, Yu M, Sandler H. Early Endpoints in High-risk Localized Prostate Cancer: Exploratory Analysis of Three Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Phase 3 Studies. Eur Urol. 2023 09; 84(3):331-340.  View on PubMed
  • Helzer KT, Sharifi MN, Sperger JM, Shi Y, Annala M, Bootsma ML, Reese SR, Taylor A, Kaufmann KR, Krause HK, Schehr JL, Sethakorn N, Kosoff D, Kyriakopoulos C, Burkard ME, Rydzewski NR, Yu M, Harari PM, Bassetti M, Blitzer G, Floberg J, Sjöström M, Quigley DA, Dehm SM, Armstrong AJ, Beltran H, McKay RR, Feng FY, O'Regan R, Wisinski KB, Emamekhoo H, Wyatt AW, Lang JM, Zhao SG. Fragmentomic analysis of circulating tumor DNA-targeted cancer panels. Ann Oncol. 2023 09; 34(9):813-825.  View on PubMed
  • Nguyen T, Sridaran D, Chouhan S, Weimholt C, Wilson A, Luo J, Li T, Koomen J, Fang B, Putluri N, Sreekumar A, Feng FY, Mahajan K, Mahajan NP. Histone H2A Lys130 acetylation epigenetically regulates androgen production in prostate cancer. Nat Commun. 2023 Jun 09; 14(1):3357.  View on PubMed
  • Sjöström M, Fyles A, Liu FF, McCready D, Feng FY, Speers CW, Pierce LJ, Holmberg E, Fernö M, Malmström P, Karlsson P. Reply to V. Nardone et al. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Aug 10; 41(23):3959-3960.  View on PubMed
  • Woo BJ, Moussavi-Baygi R, Karner H, Karimzadeh M, Garcia K, Joshi T, Yin K, Navickas A, Gilbert LA, Wang B, Asgharian H, Feng FY, Goodarzi H. Integrative identification of non-coding regulatory regions driving metastatic prostate cancer. bioRxiv. 2023 Jun 02.  View on PubMed
  • Sartor O, Karrison TG, Sandler HM, Gomella LG, Amin MB, Purdy J, Michalski JM, Garzotto MG, Pervez N, Balogh AG, Rodrigues GB, Souhami L, Reaume MN, Williams SG, Hannan R, Jones CU, Horwitz EM, Rodgers JP, Feng FY, Rosenthal SA. Androgen Deprivation and Radiotherapy with or Without Docetaxel for Localized High-risk Prostate Cancer: Long-term Follow-up from the Randomized NRG Oncology RTOG 0521 Trial. Eur Urol. 2023 Aug; 84(2):156-163.  View on PubMed
  • Sutera P, Song Y, Van der Eecken K, Shetty AC, English K, Hodges T, Chang J, Fonteyne V, Rana Z, Ren L, Mendes AA, Lumen N, Delrue L, Verbeke S, De Man K, Song DY, Pienta K, Feng FY, Joniau S, Lotan T, Lane B, Kiess A, Rowe S, Pomper M, DeWeese T, Deek M, Sweeney C, Ost P, Tran PT. Clinical and Genomic Differences Between Advanced Molecular Imaging-detected and Conventional Imaging-detected Metachronous Oligometastatic Castration-sensitive Prostate Cancer. Eur Urol. 2023 May 10.  View on PubMed
  • Sutera PA, Shetty AC, Hakansson A, Van der Eecken K, Song Y, Liu Y, Chang J, Fonteyne V, Mendes AA, Lumen N, Delrue L, Verbeke S, De Man K, Rana Z, Hodges T, Hamid A, Roberts N, Song DY, Pienta K, Ross AE, Feng F, Joniau S, Spratt D, Gillessen S, Attard G, James ND, Lotan T, Davicioni E, Sweeney C, Tran PT, Deek MP, Ost P. Transcriptomic and clinical heterogeneity of metastatic disease timing within metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. Ann Oncol. 2023 Jul; 34(7):605-614.  View on PubMed
Select Awards
  • 2024 Ranked among Clarivate’s list of most influential scientists for 2024
  • 2024 American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Mentorship Award
  • 2020 George and Judy Marcus Distinguished Professorship
  • 2020 2020 Bristol-Myers Squibb-PCF Challenge Award
  • 2016 American Society of Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Clinical Science Award
  • 2014 Radiobiology Teacher of the Year, Dept of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan
  • 2012 American Society of Radiation Oncology Basic Science Award
  • 2010 Radiological Society of North America Roentgen Resident/Fellow Research Award

Recent Accolades and Tributes

Dr. Himisha Beltran introduces Dr. Felix Feng before his "Special Lecture: Science and Friendship" at the Prostate Cancer Foundation Retreat, Oct 2024

Dr. Felix Feng Special Lecture: Science and Friendship

 

 

Felix Feng receives 2024 Mentorship Award from ASTRO Chair Jeff Michalski, Oct 2024

Brian Addington, patient advocate, on Dr. Fengʻs contributions at The Feng Symposium on Prostate Cancer Revolutions, Spring 2024.

Personalizing Prostate Cancer Care with AI - Felix Feng. From UroToday, Nov 2022

Radiation Oncologist Felix Y. Feng, MD, Strives for Balance Between Work and Family Life, ASCO Post, Jan 2020

Felix Feng bio in ASCO Post

Honoring His Legacy

Felix Feng, MD

In lieu of flowers, if you would like, the family suggests donations to support the American Cancer Society-American Society of Radiation Oncology Felix Feng, MD Clinician Scientist Development Grant Award, established by his colleagues to honor his career & lifetime contributions.

 

Felix Feng Obituary, SF Chronicle

Felix Feng Lecture
Felix and Mary Feng
Felix Feng Lab, 2020

Peers Post on Social Media

 

My heart sank when I heard the news that Felix Feng has passed away. Felix was such a gentle and uplifting force for so many of us who work in the same field - and for anyone he touched. Although he has left us, his impact will be felt forever. ow.ly/Uc3H50TSBiC

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— Nima Sharifi MD (@nimasharifimd.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 2:55 AM

I’m so grieved to hear about the passing of Dr Felix Feng, one of the truly great clinician scientists of our time. My deepest condolences to his family.

— Michael Freeman (@wehodarwinian.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 5:57 PM

A wonderful man, great scientist, and a legacy that has transformed our understanding of prostate cancer and its treatment. I’m privileged to have known and worked with him.

— Ian Davis (@profiand.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 2:07 AM

Sadly sharing in the grief after the death of Felix Feng, MD, an extraordinary @ucsfhealth.bsky.social physician-scientist and beloved colleague/mentor to many in the Hematology/Oncology Division at @ucsfcancer.bsky.social. A profound loss for us and for cancer research. #RadOnc #GUOncology #Cancer

— Krishna Komanduri (@drkomanduri.bsky.social) December 11, 2024 at 3:44 PM

Heartbroken💔we lost Dr. Felix Feng— close friend, selfless collaborator, brilliant scientist. We miss you--too early my friend. To all: please consider supporting this ACS/ASTRO award in Felix name: donate.cancer.org/g/tjjfqwdnrxrl…?

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— Toni Choueiri, MD (@drchoueiri.bsky.social) December 12, 2024 at 2:48 PM

Also sharing the link to donation in memory and honor of Dr. Felix Feng here: ow.ly/Uc3H50TSBiC

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— Sabine D. Brookman-May, MD, FEBU🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏔️⛷️⛰️ (@brookmans76.bsky.social) December 13, 2024 at 3:59 AM

Tonight we sit with the cherished memories of a truly unforgettable individual who changed the lives of so many fighting cancer. Tomorrow we stand and get back to the fight against the terrible disease that took one of our best, brightest, and kindest. Love you forever, Felix.

— Josh Lang (@joshlangmd.bsky.social) December 10, 2024 at 7:47 PM