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University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Dickran Kazandjian

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Kazandjian is a hematologic oncologist and clinician-scientist whose clinical research focuses on multiple myeloma and its precursor plasma cell dyscrasias (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma). Dr. Kazandjian has a particularly strong interest in identifying high risk smoldering myeloma patients who may benefit from early treatment strategies and the development of early-interventional clinical trials targeting this important patient population. In addition, his translational research interests lie in the development of modern and novel laboratory techniques including next generation sequencing (NGS) to advance monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) and the immune cell repertoire during treatment.

About

Dr. Kazandjian’s clinical and translational research interests lie in the treatment of precursor plasma cell disorders including high risk smoldering multiple myeloma and the role of immunotherapy in plasma cell dyscrasias. In addition, he is re-evaluating the role of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in the era of highly efficacious novel-novel drugs, immunotherapy biologics, and cell-based therapies with the hypothesis that certain subsets of patients with myeloma may not benefit by default upfront ASCT.


Multiple myeloma is a heterogeneous disease. However, currently virtually all myeloma is treated in the same fashion unlike other post-germinal B cell malignancies. His groups' interests lie in understanding the extremes of patients' natural histories and clinical responses to modern, highly-active, state-of-the-art therapies. Specifically, a subset of our patients who did not receive upfront ASCT post-induction have remained in durable MRD negative complete response off of maintenance therapy. On the other hand, a few patients may attain suboptimal response to induction therapy and have poor outcomes post ASCT. 


His groups' translational laboratory investigations aim to identify key differences in these patient subsets to include not only identifying somatic aberrations but also variations in the immune system/response and micro-environment. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development of a collaboration between the NCI/CCR, FDA, Johns Hopkins University, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and University of Miami to develop an NGS lab at the FDA to help support clinical trial translational and regulatory research. 


Dr. Kazandjian works on understanding the molecular biologic underpinnings of the racial differences in incidence, age of onset, and clinical outcomes that exist in multiple myeloma. He was awarded an intramural FDA funding grant to characterize - molecularly - the racial disparity observed in myeloma. He is conducting this in collaboration with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His efforts continue in South Florida to clinically and biologically characterize this unique patient population.

Location

University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center: 1476 NW 12th Ave, Miami, FL 33136, USA

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