The myeloma program is a highly interdisciplinary group of investigators dedicated to reducing the incidence and subsequent mortality of myeloma. The program fosters interdisciplinary research in basic science, genetics, clinical medicine, cancer prevention, and epidemiology at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, the faculty at the University of Washington, and the clinical community to improve myeloma prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment.
Program Strengths
Forty years ago, researchers at Fred Hutch developed bone marrow transplantation, which continues to be one of the most effective options for patients with myeloma. Dr. E. Donnall Thomas and his team proved it is possible to replace cancerous cells and stem cells with donated healthy cells that engraft within a patient’s bone marrow. The discovery has created an effective treatment option for myeloma and other blood cancers, and earned Thomas the 1990 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine.
Personalized Care
Our team is a global leader in myeloma and performs more transplants than any other center in the Pacific Northwest. Our clinicians see a high volume of myeloma patients, and as a result are experts in the management of disease. Our clinicians know the limitations of current treatment options and are able to maximize health outcomes while managing treatment.
Immunotherapy
The foundational success of bone marrow transplant has set the stage for other methods that use a patient’s own immune system to attack cancer cells. This field, called immunotherapy, is transforming the cancer field and achieving remarkable results.
For more about immunotherapy, watch the video by Fred Hutch researcher Dr. Stan Riddell.
Dr. Damian Green
STTR Myeloma Deputy Director
Dr. Green is a hematology oncologist who cares for patients who specializes in bone marrow transplantation for blood disorders. His clinical expertise is in Multiple myeloma, lymphoma, amyloidosis, bone marrow transplantation, and radioimmunotherapy. Dr. Green’s laboratory and clinical research is focused on developing new immunotherapeutic approaches to treat and ultimately eradicate multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
