Salman Otoukesh, M.D.

(877) 460-4673
Salman Otoukesh portrait
Hematologist-Oncologist
Clinical Expertise
Leukemia
Research Area
Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Leukemia
Other Languages Spoken
Farsi
Appointments
Assistant Professor, Division of Leukemia, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
Clinical Teams
Leukemia
Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation
“I always carried within me the inspiration to help those most suffering to live lengthier and happier lives.”
 
Salman Otoukesh, M.D., brings international stature and experience to his work at City of Hope. He is the former chief medical officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a post he held for two years in his native Iran.
 
Dr. Otoukesh specializes in the treatment of leukemia with added emphasis on the lifesaving potential of stem cell transplants. He relishes the challenges presented by this complex disease. “I enjoy thinking always out of the box to beat this disease in different ways,” he said, “and adding more hope on the treatment horizon.”
 
The bilingual (English/Farsi) Otoukesh received his medical degree from Tehran’s Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. After six years in practice in Iran, he arrived in the U.S. where he advanced his training at Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center in El Paso, Texas, Loma Linda University Health in Loma Linda, California, and most recently, completing a fellowship in stem cell transplantation at City of Hope. 
 
In caring for his patients, Dr. Otoukesh follows the example of his father, “a passionate clinician and researcher in taking care of children with renal diseases.” He is excited to be part of the City of Hope family and shares its “above and beyond” philosophy. “I am truly a believer of the connection between mind and soul during and after active cancer treatment,” he said, “and I found City of Hope exquisitely modeling this.”
 
Location
Education & Experience
Board Certifications

  • 2019, Hematology board Eligible

  • 2016, Diplomat in Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine

  • 2019, Diplomat in Medical Oncology, American Board of Internal Medicine

Fellowship

  • 2019-2020, Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California

  • 2016-2019, Hematology & Oncology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California

Residency

  • 2015-2016, Chief Resident, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas

  • 2013-2016, Internal Medicine Resident, Texas Tech University of Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas

Professional Experience

  • 2020-present, Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, California

Awards & Memberships
Memberships

  • 2013, Current American College of Physicians

  • 2012, Current American Society of Clinical Oncology

  • 2012, Current American Society of Hematology

  • 2012, Current American Medical Association

Publications
  • Jain, T., Tsai, H. L., Elmariah, H., Vachhani, P., Karantanos, T., Wall, S. A., ... & Otoukesh, S. (2023). Haploidentical Donor Blood or Marrow Transplantation for Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Overlap Neoplasms: Results from a North American Collaboration. PMID: 36993719
  • Yao JM, Otoukesh S, Kim H, Yang D, Mokhtari S, Samara Y, Blackmon A, Arslan S, Agrawal V, Pourhassan H, Amanam I, Ball B, Koller P, Salhotra A, Becker P, Curtin P, Artz A, Aldoss I, Ali H, Stewart F, Smith E, Stein A, Marcucci G, Forman SJ, Nakamura R, Al Malki MM. Tocilizumab for Cytokine Release Syndrome Management After Haploidentical Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation With Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide-Based Graft-Versus-Host Disease Prophylaxis. Transplant Cell Ther. 2023 May 12:S2666-6367(23)01291-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.05.008. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37182736.
  • Aldoss I, Afkhami M, Yang D, Gu Z, Mokhtari S, Shahani S, Pourhassan H, Agrawal V, Koller P, Arslan S, Tomasian V, Al Malki MM, Artz A, Salhotra A, Ali H, Aribi A, Sandhu KS, Ball B, Otoukesh S, Amanam I, Becker PS, Stewart FM, Curtin P, Smith E, Telatar M, Stein AS, Marcucci G, Forman SJ, Nakamura R, Pullarkat V. High response rates and transition to transplant after novel targeted and cellular therapies in adults with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia with Philadelphia-like fusions. Am J Hematol. 2023 Mar 7. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26908. Online ahead of print. PMID:36880203
  • Agrawal V, Pourhassan H, Tsai NC, Ngo D, Koller P, Malki MMA, Salhotra A, Ali H, Aribi A, Sandhu KS, Arslan S, Ball B, Otoukesh S, Amanam I, Artz A, Singh D, Becker PS, Stewart FM, Smith EP, Curtin P, Stein AS, Marcucci G, Forman SJ, Nakamura R, Pullarkat V, Aldoss I. Post-Transplantation sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in adult patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with pretransplantation inotuzumab. Transplant cell Ther. 2023 Jan 19:S2666-6367(23)00038-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jtct.2023.01.017. Online ahead of print.PMID:36682470
  • La Rosa C, Chiuppesi F, Park Y, Zhou Q, Yang D, Gendzekhadze K, Ly M, Li J, Kaltcheva T, Ortega Francisco S, Gutierrez MA, Ali H, Otoukesh S, Amanam I, Salhotra A, Pullarkat VA, Aldoss I, Rosenzweig M, Aribi AM, Stein AS, Marcucci G, Dadwal SS, Nakamura R, Forman SJ, Al Malki MM, Diamond DJ. Functional SARS-CoV2-specific T cells of donor origin in allogenic stem cell transplant recipients of a T-cell-replete infusion: A prospective observational study. Front Immunol. 2023 Mar 3;14:1114131. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1114131. eCollection 2023.PMID:36936918
  • Jain T, Tsai HL, Elmariah H, Vachhani P, Karantanos T, Wall S, Gondek L, Bashey A, Keyzner A, Tamari R, Grunwald M, Abedin S, Nadiminti K, Iqbal M, Gerds A, Viswabandya A, McCurdy S, Malki MA, Varadhan R, Ali H, Gupta V, Jones RJ, Otoukesh S. Haploidentical Donor Blood or Marrow Transplantation for Myelodysplastic/Myeloproliferative Overlap Neoplasms: Result from a North American collaboration. Res Sq. 2023 Mar 21:rs.3.rs-2691216. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2691216/v1. Preprint.PMID:36993719
  • Ball BJ, Arslan S, Koller P, Ngo D, Afkhami M, Salhotra A, Al-Malki M, Aribi A, Ali H, Sandhu K, Otoukesh S, Amanam I, Pourhassan H, Artz A, Curtin P, Stein A, Nakamura R, Marcucci G, Smith E, Pullarkat V, Aldoss I. Clinical experience with venetoclax and hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with newly diagnosed and relapsed or refractory KMT2A-Rearranged acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Leuk Lymphoma. 2022 Dec;63(13):3232-3236. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2116934. Epub 2022 Sep 10.PMID:36089918
  • La Rosa C, Chiuppesi F, Park Y, Gendzekhadze K, Zhou Q, Faircloth K, Kaltcheva T, Johnson D, Ortega Francisco S, Amanam I, Otoukesh S, Pullarkat VA, Nakamura R, Diamond DJ, Forman SJ, Al Malki MM. Adoptive transfer of functional SARS-COV-2-specific immunity from donor draft to hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Am J Hematol. 2022 Nov;97(11):E404-E407. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26691. Epub 2022 Sep 2.PMID:36053823
  • Ngo D, Otoukesh S, Stein AS, Forman S, Pullarkat V, Aldoss I. The Safety of Concurrent Intrathecal Chemotherapy During Blinatumomab In Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma. 2022 Jun 21:1-3. doi: 10.1080/10428194.2022.2090555. Online ahead of print.PMID:35727173
  • Aldoss I, Otoukesh S, Zhang J, Mokhtari S, Ngo D, Mojtahedzadeh M, Al Malki MM, Salhotra A, Ali H, Aribi A, Sandhu KS, Arslan S, Koller P, Ball B, Stewart F, Curtin P, Artz A, Nakamura R, Marcucci G, Forman SJ, Stein AS, Pullarkat V. Extramedullary Disease Relapse and Progression After Blinatumomab Therapy For Treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer. 2022 Feb 1;128(3):529-535. doi: 10.1002/cncr.33967. Epub 2021 Oct 11.PMID:34633671
  • Otoukesh S, Zhang J, Nakamura R, Stein AS, Forman SJ, Marcucci G ... Aldoss I. (2020). The efficacy of venetoclax and hypomethylating agents in acute myeloid leukemia with extramedullary involvement. Leukemia & Lymphoma, 1-4.PMID: 32191144 
  • Mirshahidi S, de Necochea-Campion R. Moretta A, Williams NL, Reeves ME, Otoukesh S,  Zuckerman LM. (2020). Inhibitory Effects of Indomethacin in Human MNNG/HOS Osteosarcoma Cell Line In Vitro. Cancer investigation, 38(1), 23-36. PMID 31770037 
  • Otoukesh S. Salhotra A, Marcucci G, Forman SJ, Pullarkat V, Aldoss I. (2019). The feasibility of venetoclax and decitabine in therapy-related Acute myeloid Leukemia with concurrent advanced non-hematological malignancies. Leukemia Research, 106196. PMID:31377457
  • Otoukesh S, Sanchez T, Mirshahidi S, Wallace D, Mirshahidi H. (2019). ASCEND-8 Pharmacokinetic, Safety, and Efficacy Data for Ceritinib 450 mg With Food in Patients With Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase–Positive Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Clinical Perspective. Cancer Treatment and Research Communications, 100149. PMID 31075537.
  • Lee EH, Otoukesh S, Nagaraj G. (2019). Hemolytic Anemia of Malignancy: A Case Study Involving Signet Ring Cell Metastatic Breast Cancer with Severe Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia. Case Reports in Oncology, 12(1), 104-108. PMID: 31043946.
  • Shaheen S, Otoukesh S, Jabo B, Kaur M, Wheeler N. (2018). Less is More: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) vs. Open Thoracotomy (OT) in the Management of Resectable Lung Cancer. J Integr Oncol, 7(216), 2.
  • Nahleh Z, Otoukesh S, Mirshahidi HR, Nguyen AL, Nagaraj G, Botrus G ... Dwivedi AK. (2018). Disparities in breast cancer: a multi‐institutional comparative analysis focusing on American Hispanics. Cancer medicine, 7(6), 2710-2717.
  • Nahleh Z, Botrus G, Dwivedi A, Badri N, Otoukesh S., Diab N ... Elzamly S. (2018). Clinico-pathologic disparities of breast cancer in Hispanic/Latina women. Breast disease, (Preprint), 1-8.
  • Farrag SE, Dwivedi AK, Otoukesh S, Badri NJ, Sanchez L.A, Nahleh ZA. Prevalence of Low Vitamin D in Patients with Breast Cancer in a Predominantly Hispanic Population at the American-Mexican Border. (2017) Nutrition and Cancer,1-6.
  • Montoya A, Amaya CN, Belmont A, Diab N, Trevino R, Villanueva G, Rains S, Sanchez LA, Badri N, Otoukesh S, Khammanivong A. Use of non-selective β-blockers is associated with decreased tumor proliferative indices in early stage breast cancer. Oncotarget. 2017 Jan 24;8(4): 6446.
  • Nahleh Z., Otoukesh S, Dwivedi AK, Mallawaarachchi I, Sanchez L, Saldivar JS, Heydarian R. American Journal of Cancer Research. Clinical and pathological characteristics of Hispanic BRCA-associated breast cancers in the American-Mexican border city of El Paso. 2015, Jan; 5(1): 466-471.
  • Nahleh Z, Otoukesh S. Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy. Celebrating Cancer Survivorship- A focus on Breast Cancer. 2015, May; 5(3): 182-82.
  • Otoukesh S, Mojtahedzadeh M., Figlin RA, Rosenfelt FP, Behazin A., Sherzai D, Nahleh, ZA. (2015). Literature Review and Profile of Cancer Diseases among Afghan Refugees in Iran: Referrals in Six Years of Displacement. Medical science monitor: international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 21, 3622.
  • Al-Bayati I, Otoukesh S, Fernandez FT, Mojtahedzadeh M, Al-Obaidi S, Nawar Hakim MN, Davis HE. American Journal of Case Reports. Diabetic Muscle Infarction: A Missed Diagnosis and Complication of a Common Disease. 2014, Nov; 1(1): 50-53
  • Cooper CJ, Otoukesh S, Mojtahedzadehb M, Galvisa JM, McCallumn RW. Gastroenterology Research. Subtotal Gastrectomy as “Last Resort” Consideration in the Management of Refractory Rumination Syndrome. 2014, Aug; 7(3): 98-101.
  • Nasrazadani A, Dwivedi A, Otoukesh S, Arenas J, Padilla O, Alvarado A, Sanchez L, Tfayli A and Nahleh Z. Annals of Hematology & Oncology. Accuracy of Ki-67 with Recurrence Score and Recurrence Score –Pathology – Clinical Assessment in Early Stage Breast Cancer. 2014, Sep; 1(3): 1011-1017.
  • Ortega L, Cooper CJ, Otoukesh S, Mojtahedzadeh M, Didia CS, Torabi A, Nahleh Z. Rare Tumors. Metacentric Castleman's Disease and Kaposi's sarcoma in a HIV-Positive Patient on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. 2014, Aug; 6(3): 5480.
  • Otoukesh S, Cooper CJ, Lou W, Mojtahedzadeh M, Nasrazadani A, Wampler M, Nahleh Z. American Journal of Case Reports. Combination chemotherapy regimen in a patient with metastatic malignant pheochromocytoma and neurofibromatosis type 1. 2014, May; 25(15): 123-127.
  • Otoukesh S, Mojtahedzadeh M, Cooper CJ, Tolouian R, Said S, Ortega L, Didia SC, Behazin A, Sherzai D, Blandon P. Medical Science Monitor. Lessons from the Profile of Kidney Diseases among Afghan Refugees. 2014, Sep; 20(1): 1621-1627.
  • Otoukesh S, Arenas J, Mojtahedzadeh M, Popp M, Bright T, Nahleh Z, Didia CS. Medical Science Monitor. Graves ‘Disease and Pancytopenia: An Unusual Presentation. 2014, Jul; 1(1): 25-28.
  • Jones L, Bazargan M, Lucas-Wright A, Vadgama JV, Vargas R, Smith J, Otoukesh S, Maxwell AE. Ethn Dis. Comparing perceived and test-based knowledge of cancer risk and prevention among Hispanic and African Americans: an example of community participatory research. 2013, Feb; 23(2): 210-216.
  • Mojtahedzadeh M, Otoukesh S, Shahsafi MR, Tahbaz MO, Rahvari SK, Poorabdollah M, Sajadi MM. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Case report: portal hypertension secondary to isolated liver tuberculosis. 2012, Jul; 87(1): 162-164.
  • Otoukesh S, Mojtahedzadeh M, Sherzai D, Behazin A, Bazargan-Hejazi S, Bazargan M. Int J Equity Health. A retrospective study of demographic parameters and major health referrals among Afghan refugees in Iran. 2012, Dec; 20(11): 82.
  • Khodadad K, Daneshvar Khaki A D, Mojtahedzadeh M, Otoukesh S, Taheri Z M, Monfared Z E. Tanaffos Journal. Solitary fibrous tumor of the Pleura- a case report and review of literature. 2009, Aug; 8(3): 69-76.
Ratings & Reviews
Ratings and reviews below are gathered from the Press Ganey Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CG CAHPS) survey. CG CAHPS is a standardized survey that is used to measure a patient's experience in the physician office setting. Ratings are an average of all responses to questions about a provider's care, with five stars being the highest.
Ratings
5.0
Show respect for what you say
4.9
Recommend this provider office
4.9
Provider explain in way you understand
4.9
Provider listen carefully to you
4.9
Know important info medical history
4.9
Rate provider 0-10
4.8
Spend enough time with you
Reviews
12/28/23
Dr. Otoukesh is the most concerned, caring doctor I have ever had - Verified patient
12/20/23
New doctor, new procedure. - Verified patient
11/26/23
Good - Verified patient
11/14/23
No bad experiences at all. - Verified patient
11/05/23
Dr. Otoukesh is AMAZING! OUTSTANDING! And FUN too! I would send EVERYONE to him. - Verified patient