Dr. Ajay Dhakal received his medical degree and completed his internship at Kathmandu Medical College in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2009. Dr. Dhakal then finished his residency at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York in 2015. He then completed a clinical fellowship at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York in 2018.

Dr. Dhakal's special interest is breast cancer. His goal is to help breast cancer patients live longer with a good quality of life. Dr. Dhakal is passionate about conducting clinical research to better understand cancer biology and to discover new ways to treat breast cancer.

In his free time, Dr. Dhakal likes to travel and watch movies.

Faculty Appointments

Assistant Professor - Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology (SMD)

Credentials

Residency & Fellowship

Fellowship, Hematology & Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute. 2015 - 2018

Residency, Internal Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center. 2013 - 2015

Internship, Internal Medicine, Maimonides Medical Center. 2012 - 2013

Education

MBBS | Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital (Nepal). 2009

Awards

Best Poster, Annual Research Day. 2017

Nominated for Gerald L. Logue Memorial Travel Award. 2017 - 2018

Resident-Rock Award. 2014

Dean's List in Basic Science Final Examinations. 2005

Ministry of Education Scholarship. 2003 - 2009

Research

Clinical Trials

Phase 3, Open-Label, Randomized, Study Comparing Gedatolisib Combined With Fulvestrant & With or Without Palbociclib to Standard-of-Care Therapies in Patients With HR-Positive, HER2-Negative Advanced Breast Cancer Previously Treated With a CDK4/6 Inhibitor in Combination w/Non-Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy

Lead Researcher: Ajay Dhakal

This is a Phase 3, open-label, randomized, clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of gedatolisib plus fulvestrant with or without palbociclib for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic HR+/HER2- breast cancer followi...

An Open-Label Phase II Trial of Neratinib Plus Capecitabine in Subjects With HER2-Negative Metastatic Breast Cancer With Brain Metastases and Abnormally Active HER2 Signaling

Lead Researcher: Ajay Dhakal

The purpose of this research is to look at the safety and effectiveness of a HER2-targeted therapy neratinib when given with capecitabine, a chemotherapy, for breast cancer patients with brain metastases whose tumors were HER2-negative by standard te...

The CompassHER2 Trials (Comprehensive Use of Pathologic Response Assessment to Optimize Therapy in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer) CompassHER2 Residual Disease (RD), a Double-Blinded, Phase III Randomized Trial of T-DM1 Compared With T-DM1 and Tucatinib

Lead Researcher: Ajay Dhakal

This phase III trial studies how well trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) and tucatinib work in preventing breast cancer from coming back (relapsing) in patients with high risk, HER2 positive breast cancer. T-DM1 is a monoclonal antibody, called trastuzuma...

MammaPrint, BluePrint, and Full-genome Data Linked With Clinical Data to Evaluate New Gene EXpression Profiles: An Adaptable Registry (FLEX Registry)

Lead Researcher: Ajay Dhakal

The FLEX Registry will be implemented to operate as a large-scale, population based, prospective registry. All patients with stage I to III breast cancer who receive MammaPrint® and BluePrint testing on a primary breast tumor are eligible for entry i...

Publications

Journal Articles

The Rochester Modified Magee Algorithm (RoMMa): An Outcomes Based Strategy for Clinical Risk-Assessment and Risk-Stratification in ER Positive, HER2 Negative Breast Cancer Patients Being Considered for Oncotype DX® Testing.

Turner BM; Finkelman BS; Hicks DG; Numbereye N; Moisini I; Dhakal A; Skinner K; Sanders MAG; Wang X; Shayne M; Schiffhauer L; Katerji H; Zhang H.

Cancers. 2023; 3(15): 903.

A review of treatment options in HER2-low breast cancer and proposed treatment sequencing algorithm

Arya Mariam Roy; Vasanthan Muthusamy Kumarasamy; Ajay Dhakal;, Ruth O'Regan; Shipra Gandhi.

Cancer. 2023; .

Screening brain MRI in inflammatory breast cancer: Is it time?

Dhakal A, Anders CK

Cancer.. 2022 December 1128 (23):4055-4057. Epub 10/10/2022.

Systemic Therapy Approaches for Breast Cancer Brain and Leptomeningeal Metastases.

Dhakal A, Van Swearingen AED, O'Regan R, Anders CK

Current treatment options in oncology.. 2022 October 23 (10):1457-1476. Epub 09/22/2022.

Systemic Therapy De-Escalation in Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Dawn of a New Era?

Gupta RK, Roy AM, Gupta A, Takabe K, Dhakal A, Opyrchal M, Kalinski P, Gandhi S

Cancers.. 2022 April 714 (8)Epub 04/07/2022.

Inflammatory breast cancer with excellent response to pembrolizumab-chemotherapy combination: A case report.

Kharel Z, Nemer OP, Xi W, Upadhayaya B, Falkson CI, O'Regan RM, Dhakal A

Breast disease.. 2022 41 (1):255-260. Epub 1900 01 01.

Erratum to: Inflammatory breast cancer with excellent response to pembrolizumab-chemotherapy combination: A case report.

Kharel Z, Nemer OP, Xi W, Upadhayaya B, Falkson CI, O'Regan RM, Dhakal A

Breast disease.. 2022 41 (1):363. Epub 1900 01 01.

PI3Kinase Inhibition in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.

Dhakal A, Acharya L, O'Regan R, Gandhi S, Falkson C

International journal of molecular sciences.. 2021 November 222 (21)Epub 11/02/2021.

Leptomeningeal Disease as an Initial Presenting Manifestation in Breast Cancer.

Shrestha J, Shrestha A, Karki P, Dhakal A

Cure?us.. 2021 November 13 (11):e19666. Epub 11/17/2021.

Adjuvant cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibition in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer: One Monarch to rule them all?

Dhakal A, Falkson C, O'Regan RM

Cancer.. 2021 September 15127 (18):3302-3309. Epub 05/28/2021.

Significance of HER2 in Microinvasive Breast Carcinoma.

Zhang H, Moisini I, Turner BM, Wang X, Dhakal A, Yang Q, Kovar S, Schiffhauer LM, Hicks DG

American journal of clinical pathology.. 2021 June 17156 (1):155-165. Epub 1900 01 01.

Impact of early dose intensity reduction of Palbociclib on clinical outcomes in patients with hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Moftakhar B, Lekkala M, Strawderman M, Smith TC, Meacham P, Fitzgerald B, Falkson CI, Dhakal A

Breast cancer research and treatment.. 2020 September 183 (2):411-418. Epub 07/15/2020.

Neratinib-Induced Duodenal Ulcer: A Case Report.

Moftakhar B, Kharel P, Niraula S, Gandhi S, Falkson C, Dhakal A

Breast cancer : basic and clinical research.. 2020 14 :1178223420935871. Epub 06/23/2020.

Outcome of Everolimus-Based Therapy in Hormone-Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients After Progression on Palbociclib.

Dhakal A, Antony Thomas R, Levine EG, Brufsky A, Takabe K, Hanna MG, Attwood K, Miller A, Khoury T, Early AP, Soniwala S, O'Connor T, Opyrchal M

Breast cancer : basic and clinical research.. 2020 14 :1178223420944864. Epub 07/23/2020.

Significance of the Genomic Landscape of a De Novo Endocrine-Resistant Metastatic Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.

Sarma M, Abdou Y, Dhakal A, Gandhi S

Breast cancer : basic and clinical research.. 2020 14 :1178223420976387. Epub 12/16/2020.

Efficacy of Palbociclib Combinations in Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients After Prior Everolimus Treatment.

Dhakal A, Matthews CM, Levine EG, Salerno KE, Zhang F, Takabe K, Early AP, Edge SB, O'Connor T, Khoury T, Young JS, Opyrchal M

Clinical breast cancer.. 2018 December 18 (6):e1401-e1405. Epub 04/28/2018.

Bortezomib-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Kharel P, Uprety D, Chandra AB, Hu Y, Belur AA, Dhakal A

Case reports in medicine.. 2018 2018 :2913124. Epub 11/25/2018.

A 51-Year-Old Woman With an Increasing Chest Wall Mass Years After Resection of an Early Stage Lung Cancer.

Dhakal A, Chen H, Dexter EU

Chest.. 2017 December 152 (6):e151-e154. Epub 1900 01 01.

Clinical development of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors in lung cancer.

Dhakal A, Yio J, Dy GK.

Journal of Targeted Therapies in Cancer. 2017; 1.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Budhathoki N; Dhakal A; Opyrchal M.

Theranostics of Can Res. 2017; .

A Multiple Myeloma Patient Presenting with Multiple Hepatic Masses

Dhakal A; Chandra A.

Journal of Medical Cases. 2013; 4(10): 673-675.

Rituximab Monotherapy for Primary Cutaneous Follicle Center Lymphoma

Dhakal A; Tretheway DM; Fulton R; Shah B.

Journal of Advances in Internal Medicine. 2012; 1(1): 16-18.

Influence of duration of symptoms over perioperative outcomes during emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Sharma SK, Thapa PB, Maharjan DK, Dhakal A, Baral N

Kathmandu University medical journal (KUMJ).. 2009 7 (26):120-4. Epub 1900 01 01.

What about the government service?

Dhakal A, Sharma R

Kathmandu University medical journal (KUMJ).. 2008 6 (2):291-3. Epub 1900 01 01.

Books

Angel's Concise Clinical Methods, (2006)

Authors: Dhakal A, Magar A, Shrestha S, Shrestha R, Palikhey S

Publisher: Makalu Publication House, Nepal 2006

Ratings & Comments

At URMC, we believe that patients should be empowered to make the right decisions regarding their personal healthcare. To do so, transparency is critical. URMC partners with Press Ganey, to survey our patients about all aspects of their care experience. We are now putting this pertinent information at your fingertips by displaying star ratings for our providers along with anonymous patient comments on our website. This will help you make better-informed choices about how and with whom you seek care. Click here to learn more about the surveys used to generate this vital information. Learn more about our survey process.

Ratings

Care provider's discussion of any proposed treatment (options, risks, benefits, etc.)

4.8

Likelihood of recommending this care provider to others

4.8

Explanations the care provider gave you about your problem or condition

4.9

Care provider's efforts to include you in decisions about your care

4.9

Concern the care provider showed for your questions or worries

4.9

Patient Comments

5.0

Doctor is awesome

Jan 05, 2025

5.0

Dr. Dhakal has always been best. Caring, really listens & involves me. Eye contact always

Aug 01, 2024

5.0

All good.

Feb 20, 2024

5.0

He's GREAT!!

Jan 26, 2024

5.0

El doctor es excelente profesional, atiende con amabilidad y respeto, se preocupa por el paciente es comunicativo no me voy con dudas, me siento bien atendida, no lo cambio,

Apr 26, 2023

5.0

Going thru stage 4 cancer and everyone has been really responsive and accommodating.

Apr 10, 2023

5.0

Very patient, knowledgeable, understanding, informative, communicative & compassionate!

Apr 06, 2023

5.0

Awesome

Mar 31, 2023

5.0

Dr. Dhakal is the best provider I could have.

Jan 26, 2023

5.0

I feel very fortunate to have Dr Dhakal on my medical team.

Nov 10, 2022

5.0

He actually thought about my list of medications and supplements and was able to provide me with solid information. I really appreciate his compassion and expertise.This physician has gone the extra mile to help me get the care that I need. Best doctor.

Oct 24, 2022

5.0

I've already shared what an amazing, extraordinary, caring, compassionate, understanding, very informative intelligent inspiring Dr. A. Dhakal is to me, and I have confidence his this way with all of his patience!

Aug 08, 2022

5.0

I have had the best team take care of me and very thankful for everyone.

Jul 28, 2022

5.0

I have had some minor setbacks during my care (example: broken arm, COVID eye infection). My provider specifically asked me about my mental health. Total patient care!

Jul 13, 2022

5.0

Dr. Dhakal is the best! I feel very lucky that he is part of my health care team.

Jul 12, 2022

Dr Dhakal always allows me enough time to answer questions and to fully explore treatment options.I never feel rushed with him. He is very mindful of my situation.

Apr 13, 2022

5.0

Dr was very thorough. I went in for a 2nd opinion about treatment options after being diagnosed with breast cancer. He visited with me for a long time answering all of my questions and offering me a clinical trial that was a different treatment option than what I had arranged with a previous provider. He was aware that the trial was very demanding for me due to my distance to travel to Rochester. I was leaning toward sticking with my first plan with another provider. He confirmed that if I stuck to my original care plan with a previous provider, I would be getting the standard of care. He offered I could come back at any time if I felt my treatment wasn't going well or had any questions at all. I was very impressed by his professionalism and appreciate all of the information I was given.

Mar 25, 2022

5.0

Very helpful - Willingness to understand & listen to patient (me) and just a kind doctor!

Feb 18, 2022

5.0

Dr. Dhakal really understands the situation and he does a phenomenal job of explaining the pros and cons of all aspects of the medication treatment! Very kind, patient, and understanding Doctor!

Feb 13, 2022