Dr. Damian Green, MD
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Interview date: February 7, 2014

Dr. Green shares his deep research using a new and exciting approach by combing two very effective therapies: immunotherapy (or the use of monoclonal antibodies) with very targeted radioactive isotopes. It is well known  that radiation effectively kills myeloma cells. It is also well known that monoclonal antibodies provide an exciting way for your own immune system to kill myeloma cells. New monoclonal antibodies are now being developed to target the CD38 protein. He describes why the CD38 protein is such a popular target - it is present in almost all myeloma patients on the myeloma cells, it stays in one place and doesn't move around during treatment, it is present in bigger proportions on myeloma cells than other cells in the body, and they are a lot of them on myeloma cells (they are high-density.) With the CD38 target in mind, he shares why he is using a carefully selected radioactive isotope called Yttrium-90 to attack the myeloma cells. It was chosen because it delivers the radiation in a very targeted way but doesn't last long in the body, it gives a cross-fire effect, but it doesn't do distant damage. The approach is a one-two punch for the myeloma cells and leverages proven and effective therapies by combining them together. We look forward to seeing his research move into clinical trials in the near future.  

The live mPatient Myeloma Radio podcast with Dr. Damian Green