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Orlowski Named Head of Myeloma Section
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Robert Orlowski, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the Division of Cancer Medicine as an associate professor and director of the Section of Myeloma in the Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma. He was recruited from the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Orlowski, an internationally renowned researcher, was the first to investigate the clinical activity of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (Velcade®) in patients with hematologic malignancies, and bortezomib with pegylated liposomal doxorubisin (Doxil®).
“For many years the myeloma group at M. D. Anderson has been known for outstanding clinical care of patients. We are now putting more resources into strengthening M. D. Anderson’s research in this field,” Dr. Orlowski said. “What will help us accomplish this now is that the laboratory and the clinic have become much closer and we have new tools in the lab to help us better triage what single agents or combinations may be more promising.” The need for novel approaches in myeloma treatment is evident in the American Cancer Society’s estimate that 19,920 people will be diagnosed with this cancer of plasma cells in 2008, but only a few will find adequate treatment.
Since his arrival, Dr. Orlowski’s section has launched several new trials based on pre-clinical work from his research group in North Carolina. “The first trials test carfilzomib because early studies indicate it is more potent and potentially safer than bortezomib.” Carfilzomib is not only being investigated for myeloma patients, but for patients with lymphoma, as well. Another investigational drug is CNTO 328, a monoclonal antibody that binds to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), to prevent further stimulation of myeloma cell growth. “We’re studying CNTO 328 in combination with bortezomib, and also with dexamethasone, to determine if it will help overcome resistance to chemotherapy,” said Dr. Orlowski.
Dr. Orlowski earned his medical degree and Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University. He fulfilled an internal medicine residency at the Barnes-Jewish Hospital at George Washington University in St. Louis, MO, and fellowships in medical oncology and adult hematology at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.
For more information or to refer a patient, please call the Lymphoma/Myeloma Center at 713-792-3510. |
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