Medical Director, Medical Oncology
Inova Thoracic Oncology Program
Dr. Alex Spira combines a passion for scientific research with the latest medical breakthroughs to bring exciting new therapies to his patients.
Dr. Spira graduated from Harvard University and went on to New York University where he simultaneously earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine and a PhD in microbiology from the School of Arts and Sciences. He completed an internship and residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a prestigious fellowship in oncology and hematology at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
At Inova, Dr. Spira is involved in a multitude of clinical trials exploring the biologic pathways that lead to lung and esophageal cancer. These include studies of several new classes of drugs, including IGFR1 inhibitors and vascular disrupting agents, for their potential therapeutic relevance in cancer treatment.
In addition, he is collaborating with George Mason University researchers in the study of proteomics (the study of protein structure and function). Findings could help detect and diagnose cancer far earlier than standard clinical tests, identify the best treatments for patients with thoracic cancers and more readily develop treatments uniquely tailored to each patient.
“I take great pride in offering my patients the best, most aggressive care possible," he says. This includes entry to cutting-edge clinical studies where patients have access to tomorrow’s drugs today. "While we must be realistic about any cancer treatment, this is an exciting time for thoracic oncology because we can offer some novel therapies that didn’t exist a few years ago.”
Dr. Spira has published extensively on cancer research and treatment. He is a member of numerous professional associations and is board certified in medical oncology and internal medicine.
