The Checkup with Doctor Mike The Doctor Who Cured His Own Disease | Dr. David Fajgenbaum
Sep 7, 2025
Dr. David Fajgenbaum, a physician and Castleman's disease survivor, shares his remarkable journey from a Division One quarterback to a medical advocate. He discusses how personal tragedy, including his mother's battle with cancer, inspired his fight for medical innovation. David explains his groundbreaking work in drug repurposing, emphasizes the importance of the 'right to try' legislation, and highlights how AI could transform cancer treatments. His journey showcases resilience, hope, and the profound impact of patient-centered care.
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Sudden ICU Crisis During Med School
- David Fajgenbaum describes waking from exams to doctors telling him his liver, kidneys, and bone marrow were shutting down and being admitted to ICU.
- He spent weeks on dialysis, daily transfusions, and at one point said goodbye to family before recovering temporarily.
Uncle Saved By A Repurposed Immunotherapy
- David sequenced his uncle's angiosarcoma after initial doctors declined and found PD-L1 expression.
- Treating with pembrolizumab produced a durable remission now lasting nine years.
Three Steps For Patients With Rare Or Refractory Cancer
- If you have cancer, find the disease organization, get your tumor genetically sequenced, and seek expert second opinions.
- Genetic sequencing can identify actionable targets even when odds seem low, and experts may suggest uncommon but promising options.
