Tibor Kovacsovics,
MD
Languages Spoken: English, French, German
Dr. Tibor Kovacsovics started at the University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2013. He focuses on hematologic malignancies, particularly acute leukemias. He serves as the Medical Director for the Inpatient Service of the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies. In his role as Associate Director of Hematologic Malignancy Clinical Research in the HCI Clinical Trials Office, he has established a phase 1 program in hematologic malignancies, coordinated clinical research in the Division and developed a Clinical-translational Research Network suitable to carry out multicenter investigator-initiated studies in hematologic malignancies, with an emphasis on correlative science. He has also developed relationships with community practices to engage community practices in HCI-based clinical trials and increase the number of patients treated on clinical trials.
Clinical Locations
Hematology Clinic
801-585-2626
Clinic 2C/BMT, Blood and Marrow Transplant
801-585-2626
Fax: (801) 585-3854
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Internal Medicine
-
Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Hematology/BMT |
Patient Rating
The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to care provider related questions on our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey.
Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.
Likelihood of recommending care provider
4.9/ 5
Care provider's explanation of condition/problem
4.8/ 5
Care provider's effort to include me in decisions
4.8/ 5
Wait time at clinic
4.2/ 5
Care provider's concern for questions & worries
4.8/ 5
Patient Comments
Patient comments are gathered from our Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survery and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
UofU Patient
September 30, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I had a bone marrow biopsy. The practitioner was very courteous, asked a lot of questions as to my feeling or comfort level, and explained what he was doing as the procedure was going along. He made me feel very secure.
UofU Patient
July 04, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I would not recommend this medical Center to anyone I am still very disgusted with the way I was treated.
UofU Patient
May 10, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K and Steven are an awesome team! Actually everyone there are awesome! I love seeing Mary too! My family back in Illinois and here in Utah feel very comfortable with the everyone that I see and/or have seen from the beginning.
UofU Patient
April 10, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K knows I am not having surgery for my colon cancer, and he doesn't bug me about it! He does compliment me on how good my blood tests were!
UofU Patient
April 03, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K is always ready to help, listen and work with you however he can.
UofU Patient
March 30, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good experience
UofU Patient
March 08, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr Kovacsovics is very knowledgeable and always provides clear information in a patient centered manner. Excellent oncologist
UofU Patient
January 18, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Not only the provider but also his staff
UofU Patient
January 04, 2022
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr K is clear, professional and to the point on patient status and needs.
UofU Patient
December 29, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good experience
UofU Patient
November 28, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Good Experience
UofU Patient
November 16, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Excellent experience
UofU Patient
November 14, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Could not ask for a better doctor!!!
UofU Patient
November 10, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I dont believe and would be answering this survey today, if it was not for Dr. K and his staff
UofU Patient
October 10, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Learned important information about my condition and a treatment plan was arranged. A social worker helped find housing for a needed stay in SLC.
UofU Patient
October 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K is always kind and attentive to me, even when I may not do the procedure he recommends.
UofU Patient
October 03, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Huntsman is the best, all the people there.
UofU Patient
July 31, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. Kovacsovics explained the results of my last biopsy and what that meant. He also outlined my continued follow-up care in a clear manner so that I had no questions about what happens next. I chose Dr. Kovacsovics to be my physician after I met him during my hospitalization. I have never been unhappy with that decision. I believe he has given me a " rest of my life" to look forward to.
UofU Patient
July 18, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K is the best
UofU Patient
June 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Grace and Dr. Kovacsovics ar very thorough and clear in explaining test results and next steps in treatment. Excellent team.
UofU Patient
May 27, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Very thorough and very capable discussions. Dr. Kovacsovics pointed out the important aspects of my response to treatment very concisely.
UofU Patient
May 23, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I am always impressed how kind and friendly Dr K is! We love having him as my doctor! We know that I'm in good hands with him.
UofU Patient
March 26, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K and staff are fantastic!
UofU Patient
March 04, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Dr. K is very interested and caring. I feel my providers are doing the best they can, and I feel they really care about my condition.
UofU Patient
February 25, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
I felt cared for and informed,
UofU Patient
February 07, 2021
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
Jan Weidner is so great with explanations.
UofU Patient
December 20, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
time for me to start treatment. I didn't want to hear that news but have complete confidence in Dr K and his staff.
UofU Patient
December 20, 2020
HUNTSMAN CANCER CENTER
They explained what they knew so far, but kept me calm and relaxed by not speculating on one particular outcome without all the test results at hand. They looked at the whole picture, I felt validated and heard.
Dr. Tibor Kovacsovics started at the University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute in 2013. He focuses on hematologic malignancies, particularly acute leukemias. He serves as the Medical Director for the Inpatient Service of the Division of Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies. In his role as Associate Director of Hematologic Malignancy Clinical Research in the HCI Clinical Trials Office, he has established a phase 1 program in hematologic malignancies, coordinated clinical research in the Division and developed a Clinical-translational Research Network suitable to carry out multicenter investigator-initiated studies in hematologic malignancies, with an emphasis on correlative science. He has also developed relationships with community practices to engage community practices in HCI-based clinical trials and increase the number of patients treated on clinical trials.
Academic Locations
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments | Internal Medicine
-
Professor (Clinical) |
| Academic Divisions | Hematology/BMT |
Research Interests
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
- Chemotherapy
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Education History
| Fellowship | Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School Hematology-Oncology Clinical Fellow, 1994 |
| Fellowship | Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School Hematology-Oncology Clinical Fellow, 1991 |
| Chief Resident | Clinique Médicale Thérapeutique, Geneva University Hospital Internal Medicine Chief Resident, 1990 |
| Residency | Clinique Médicale Thérapeutique, Geneva University Hospital Internal Medicine Resident, 1988 |
| Research Fellow | University of Lausanne Institute of Biochemistry Postdoctoral Fellow, 1985 |
| Professional Medical | University of Geneva Medical School Medicine M.D., 1981 |
Selected Publications - Journal Articles
Journal Article
- Li P, Brown S, Williams M, White TA, Xie W, Cui W, Peker D, Lei L, Kunder CA, Wang HY, Murray SS, Vagher J, Kovacsovics T, Patel JL (2022). The genetic landscape of germline DDX41 variants predisposing to myeloid neoplasms. Blood, 140, 716-755.
- Li P, White T, Xie W, Cui W, Peker D, Zeng G, Wang HY, Vagher J, Brown S, Williams M, Kovacsovics T, Patel JL (2021). AML with germline DDX41 variants is a clinicopathologically distinct entity with an indolent clinical course and favorable outcome. Leukemia, 36(3), 664-674.
- Li P, Venkatachalam S, Ospina Cordona D, Wilson L, Kovacsovics T, Moser KA, Miles RR, Beck DB, George T, Tantravahi SK (2021). A clinical, histopathological, and molecular study of two cases of VEXAS syndrome without a definitive myeloid neoplasm. Blood Adv, 6(2), 405-409.
- Costa LJ, Davies FE, Monohan GP, Kovacsovics T, Burwick N, Jakubowiak A, Kaufman JL, Hong WJ, Dail M, Salem AH, Yang X, Masud AA, Munasinghe W, Ross JA, Bueno OF, Kumar SK, Stadtmauer EA (2020). Phase 2 study of venetoclax plus carfilzomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Blood Adv, 5(19), 3748-3759.
- Alsina M, Landgren O, Raje N, Niesvizky R, Bensinger WI, Berdeja JG, Kovacsovics T, Vesole DH, Fang B, Kimball AS, Siegel DS (2020). A phase 1b study of once-weekly carfilzomib combined with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Am J Hematol, 96(2), 226-233.
- Burd A, Levine RL, Ruppert AS, Mims AS, Borate U, Stein EM, Patel P, Baer MR, Stock W, Deininger M, Blum W, Schiller G, Olin R, Litzow M, Foran J, Lin TL, Ball B, Boyiadzis M, Traer E, Odenike O, Arellano M, Walker A, Duong VH, Kovacsovics T, Collins R, Shoben AB, Heerema NA, Foster MC, Vergilio JA, Brennan T, Vietz C, Severson E, Miller M, Rosenberg L, Marcus S, Yocum A, Chen T, Stefanos M, Druker B, Byrd JC (2020). Precision medicine treatment in acute myeloid leukemia using prospective genomic profiling: feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the Beat AML Master Trial. Nat Med, 26(12), 1852-1858.
- Patel AB, Pomicter AD, Yan D, Eiring AM, Antelope O, Schumacher JA, Kelley TW, Tantravahi SK, Kovacsovics TJ, Shami PJ, OHare T, Deininger MW (2020). Dasatinib overcomes stroma-based resistance to the FLT3 inhibitor quizartinib using multiple mechanisms. Leukemia, 34(11), 2981-2991.
- Pregenzer-Wenzler A, Abraham J, Barrell K, Kovacsovics T, Nativi-Nicolau J (2020). Utility of Biomarkers in Cardiac Amyloidosis. JACC Heart Fail, 8(9), 701-711.
- Palladini G, Kastritis E, Maurer MS, Zonder J, Minnema MC, Wechalekar AD, Jaccard A, Lee HC, Bumma N, Kaufman JL, Medvedova E, Kovacsovics T, Rosenzweig M, Sanchorawala V, Qin X, Vasey SY, Weiss BM, Vermeulen J, Merlini G, Comenzo RL (2019). Daratumumab plus CyBorD for patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis: safety run-in results of ANDROMEDA. Blood, 136(1), 71-80.
- Willis C, Menon J, Unni S, Au T, Yoo M, Biskupiak J, Brixner D, Ndife B, Joseph G, Bonifacio G, Stein E, Tantravahi S, Shami PJ, Kovacsovics T, Stenehjem D (2019). Clinical and economic analysis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia by FLT3 status and midostaurin use at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Leuk Res, 87, 106262.
- Biran N, Siegel D, Berdeja JG, Raje N, Cornell RF, Alsina M, Kovacsovics T, Fang B, Kimball AS, Landgren O (2019). Weekly carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: A phase 1b study. Am J Hematol, 94(7), 794-802.
- Nativi-Nicolau J, Stehlik J, Al-Dulaimi R, Rodriguez C, Jaramillo J, Conte J, Kovacsovics T, Cowley J, Abraham J, Barrel K, Drakos S, Ryan J, Maurer MS, Fang J (2019). Chronotropic incompetence and autonomic dysfunction as mechanisms of dyspnoea in patients with late stage cardiac amyloidosis. Amyloid, 26(sup1), 134-135.
- Ruiz-Negrn N, Nativi-Nicolau J, Maurer MS, Moran AE, Kovacsovics T, Bellows BK (2019). Cost-effectiveness of technetium pyrophosphate scintigraphy versus heart biopsy for the diagnosis of transthyretin amyloidosis. Amyloid, 26(sup1), 71-72.
- Scott EC, Heitner SB, Dibb W, Meyers G, Smith SD, Abar F, Kovacsovics T, Perez-Avraham G, Stentz A, Frires R, Dibb J, Maziarz RT (2014). Induction bortezomib in Al amyloidosis followed by high dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation: a single institution retrospective study. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk, 14(5), 424-430.e1.
- Cogle CR, Goldman DC, Madlambayan GJ, Leon RP, Masri AA, Clark HA, Asbaghi SA, Tyner JW, Dunlap J, Fan G, Kovacsovics T, Liu Q, Meacham A, Hamlin KL, Hromas RA, Scott EW, Fleming WH (2014). Functional integration of acute myeloid leukemia into the vascular niche. Leukemia, 28(10), 1978-1987.
- Lancet JE, Cortes JE, Hogge DE, Tallman MS, Kovacsovics TJ, Damon LE, Komrokji R, Solomon SR, Kolitz JE, Cooper M, Yeager AM, Louie AC, Feldman EJ (2014). Phase II, multicenter, randomized, open label trial of CPX-351 (cytarabine:daunorubicin) liposome injection versus cytarabine and daunorubicin in patients with untreated AML 60-75 years of age. Blood.
- Tyner JW, Yang WF, Bankhead A 3rd, Fan G, Fletcher LB, Bryant J, Glover JM, Chang BH, Spurgeon SE, Fleming WH, Kovacsovics T, Gotlib JR, Oh ST, Deininger MW, Zwaan CM, Den Boer ML, van den Heuvel-Eibrink MM, OHare T, Druker BJ, Loriaux MM (2013). Kinase pathway dependence in primary human leukemias determined by rapid inhibitor screening. Cancer Res, 73(1), 285-96.
- Dunlap J, Beadling C, Warrick A, Neff T, Fleming WH, Loriaux M, Heinrich MC, Kovacsovics T, Kelemen K, Leeborg N, Gatter K, Braziel RM, Press R, Corless CL, Fan G (2012). Multiplex high-throughput gene mutation analysis in acute myeloid leukemia. Hum Pathol, 43(12), 2167-76.
- Faderl S, Wetzler M, Rizzieri D, Schiller G, Jagasia M, Stuart R, Ganguly S, Avigan D, Craig M, Collins R, Maris M, Kovacsovics T, Goldberg S, Seiter K, Hari P, Greiner J, Vey N, Recher C, Ravandi F, Wang ES, Vasconcelles M, Huebner D, Kantarjian HM (2012). Clofarabine plus cytarabine compared with cytarabine alone in older patients with relapsed or refractory acute myelogenous leukemia: results from the CLASSIC I Trial. J Clin Oncol, 30(20), 2492-9.
- Claxton D, Erba HP, Faderl S, Arellano M, Lyons RM, Kovacsovics T, Gabrilove J, Huebner D, Gandhi PJ, Kantarjian H, CLASSIC II Investigators (2012). Outpatient consolidation treatment with clofarabine in a phase 2 study of older adult patients with previously untreated acute myelogenous leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma, 53(3), 435-40.
Letter
- Tantravahi SK, Szankasi P, Khorashad JS, Dao KH, Kovacsovics T, Kelley TW, Deininger MW (2016). A phase II study of the efficacy, safety, and determinants of response to 5-azacitidine (Vidaza®) in patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia. [Letter to the editor]. Leuk Lymphoma, 57(10), 2441-4.
- Kelemen K, Kovacsovics T, Braziel R, Corless C, Beadling C, Fan G (2012). RAS mutations in therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia after successful treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. [Letter to the editor]. Leuk Lymphoma, 53(5), 999-1002.
Global Impact
Education History
| Chief Resident | Clinique Médicale Thérapeutique, Geneva University Hospital Internal Medicine Chief Resident |
| Residency | Clinique Médicale Thérapeutique, Geneva University Hospital Internal Medicine Resident |
| Research Fellow | University of Lausanne Institute of Biochemistry Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Professional Medical | University of Geneva Medical School Medicine M.D. |