Clinical Focus

  • Cancer > Hematology
  • Hematology
  • Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Infections
  • Autoimmunity

Academic Appointments

Professional Education

  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (1990)
  • Medical Education: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (1987) NY
  • Residency: Harbor UCLA Internal Medicine Residency (1990) CA
  • Internship: Harbor UCLA Internal Medicine Residency (1988) CA
  • Fellowship: University of Rochester Hematology and Oncology Fellowship (1996) NY
  • Fellowship: University of Rochester Hematology and Oncology Fellowship (1994) NY
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology (1995)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology (1994)

Contact

  • Academic
    Department: Medicine - Med/Hematology Position: Clinical Associate Professor
  • Clinical (Primary)  Hematology Division 269 Campus Dr Rm 1155 MC 5156 Stanford, CA 94305 (650) 724-5203 (fax)

Additional Clinical Info

Additional Info

  • Other Names:
    Beth A Martin-Kool

Clinical Trials

  • A Phase II Study of Ibrutinib in Advanced Systemic Mastocytosis Not Recruiting

    This phase 2 trial studies ibrutinib to see how well it works in treating patients with systemic (affecting the entire body) mastocytosis that has spread to other parts of the body and usually cannot be cured or controlled with treatment (advanced). Systemic mastocytosis is a disease in which too many mast cells (a type of immune system cell) are found throughout the body. Mast cells give off chemicals such as histamine that can cause flushing (a hot, red face), itching, abdominal cramps, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, and shock. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of mast cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Phase II Imetelstat in Intermediate-2 / High-Risk MF Relapsed/Refractory to Janus Kinase Inhibitor Not Recruiting

    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 dose regimens of imetelstat in participants with intermediate-2 or high-risk myelofibrosis (MF) whose disease is relapsed after or is refractory to Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor treatment. Key secondary endpoint includes overall survival.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Phase III Momelotinib vs. Ruxolitinib in PMF / Post-PV/ET Myelofibrosis Not Recruiting

    This study is to determine the efficacy of momelotinib (MMB) versus ruxolitinib (RUX) in participants with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) or post-polycythemia vera or post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis (post-PV/ET MF) who have not yet received treatment with a Janus kinase inhibitor (JAK inhibitor). Participants will be randomized to receive either MMB or ruxolitinib for 24 weeks during a double-blind treatment phase, after which they will be eligible to receive open-label MMB for up to an additional 216 weeks. After discontinuation of study medication, assessments will continue for 12 additional weeks, after which participants will be contacted for survival follow-up approximately every 6 months for up to 5 years from the date of enrollment or until study termination. For those participants planning to continue treatment with MMB following the end of the study, the Early Study Drug Discontinuation (ESDD), 30-day, 12-Week, and survival follow-up visits are not required.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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  • Phase III PEGASYS vs Hydroxyurea in High Risk Polycythemia Vera or Essential Thrombocythemia Not Recruiting

    This research is looking at two conditions, Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) and Polycythemia Vera (PV). ET causes people to produce too many blood cells called platelets and PV causes too many platelets and red blood cells to be made. Platelets are particles which circulate in the blood stream and normally prevent bleeding and bruising. Having too many platelets in the blood increases the risk of developing blood clots, which can result in life threatening events like heart attacks and strokes. When the number of red blood cells is increased in PV this will slow the speed of blood flow in the body and increases the risk of developing blood clots. The purpose of this study is to look at the effectiveness of giving participants who have been diagnosed with ET or PV one of two different study regimens over time. The study subject will be followed for their condition for about 5 years. The subject will be randomized into one of two study regimens, either Pegylated Interferon Alfa-2a (PEGASYS) or Aspirin and Hydroxyurea (also called Hydroxycarbamide). The subject must be newly diagnosed or already receiving treatment for either PV or ET. Each of the study drugs used in this study is already being used to treat subjects with ET or PV currently, but the investigators are unsure which study drug is better.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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All Publications

  • Daratumumab, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (DRD), an Active Regimen in the Treatment of Immunosuppression-Associated Plasmablastic Lymphoma (PBL) in the Setting of Gorham's Lymphangiomatosis: Review of the Literature. Case reports in hematology Lee, M., Martin, B. A., Abdulhaq, H. 2022; 2022: 8331766

    Abstract

    Characterized by an aggressive course with a poor overall survival due to treatment refractoriness, plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a rare variant of diffuse large cell B cell lymphoma. Gorham's lymphangiomatosis or Gorham-Stout disease (GSD) is a rare skeletal condition of unknown etiology characterized by progressive bone loss and nonmalignant proliferation of vascular and lymphatic channels within the affected bone. Neither disease has a standard of care. We present a 23-year-old HIV-negative woman with GSD, managed medically with octreotide and sirolimus, who developed PBL. After progressing on V-EPOCH (bortezomib, etoposide, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and prednisone), she was treated with daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (DRD) therapy and achieved complete remission after two cycles with progression after eight cycles. This is a report of treatment of PBL with DRD therapy. Clinical investigations of the DRD regimen in PBL in conjunction with other agents to improve both depth and durability of response are warranted.

    View details for DOI 10.1155/2022/8331766

    View details for PubMedID 35795542

  • Rare and fatal complication of immune checkpoint inhibition: a case report of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis with severe lichenoid dermatitis. British journal of haematology Choi, S., Zhou, M., Bahrani, E., Martin, B. A., Ganjoo, K. N., Zaba, L. C. 2021

    View details for DOI 10.1111/bjh.17442

    View details for PubMedID 33954981

  • Daratumumab, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone (DRD), an Active Regimen in the Treatment of Sirolimus-Associated Plasmablastic Lymphoma (PBL) in the Setting of Gorham's Lymphangiomatosis: A Case Report Lee, M., Martin, B., Abdulhaq, H. CIG MEDIA GROUP, LP. 2020: S275

    View details for Web of Science ID 000564055100270

  • Successful treatment of thrombocytopenia with daratumumab after allogeneic transplant: a case report and literature review. Blood advances Migdady, Y., Ediriwickrema, A., Jackson, R. P., Kadi, W., Gupta, R., Socola, F., Arai, S., Martin, B. A. 2020; 4 (5): 815–18

    View details for DOI 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001215

    View details for PubMedID 32119735

  • STAGE IV EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV) CLASSIC HODGKIN LYMPHOMA (CHL) WITH HEPATIC INVOLVEMENT MEETING CRITERIA FOR HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS (HLH) AT STANFORD: CLOSE MIMIC VERSUS TRUE HLH? Martin, B., Weiner, H., Lau, E., Jeng, M. WILEY. 2019: S29–S30

    View details for Web of Science ID 000449991100059

  • PROCALCITONIN IS NONSPECIFICALLY ELEVATED IN ADULT HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS Lau, E., Martin, B., Nelson, J. K. WILEY. 2019: S24

    View details for Web of Science ID 000449991100049

  • A Case Report of Refractory Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Following Reduced Intensity Conditioning (RIC) Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT) for Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Successfully Treated with Off-Label Use of Daratumumab Migdady, Y., Gupta, R., Ediriwickrema, A., Socola, F., Arai, S., Martin, B. A. AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. 2018

    View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2018-99-116560

    View details for Web of Science ID 000454842805252

  • Bone marrow histomorphological criteria can accurately diagnose hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis HAEMATOLOGICA Gars, E., Purington, N., Scott, G., Chisholm, K., Gratzinger, D., Martin, B. A., Ohgami, R. S. 2018; 103 (10): 1635–41

    View details for DOI 10.3324/haematol.2017.186627

    View details for Web of Science ID 000445883500026

  • Orbital and chorioretinal manifestations of Erdheim-Chester disease treated with vemurafenib. American journal of ophthalmology case reports Huang, L. C., Topping, K. L., Gratzinger, D., Brown, R. A., Martin, B. A., Silva, R. A., Kossler, A. L. 2018; 11: 158–63

    Abstract

    Purpose: We report a patient with severe multi-organ dysfunction of unknown origin who presented with bilateral orbital and chorioretinal manifestations that led to the diagnosis of Erdheim-Chester Disease (ECD).Observations: ECD is a rare, histiocytic, proliferative disorder characterized by multi-systemic organ involvement that has historically lacked effective therapy. Our patient underwent genetic testing that was positive for the BRAF V600E mutation; therefore, the patient was treated with vemurafenib.Conclusions and importance: This case demonstrates the rare orbital and intraocular manifestations of ECD and the unfortunate impact of a delayed diagnosis, the importance of early gene therapy testing for management decisions, and the utilization of targeted directed therapy to improve visual outcomes and quality of life.

    View details for PubMedID 30094395

  • Bone marrow histomorphologic criteria can accurately diagnose hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Haematologica Gars, E. n., Purington, N. n., Scott, G. n., Chisholm, K. n., Gratzinger, D. n., Martin, B. A., Ohgami, R. S. 2018

    Abstract

    Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare multi-system inflammatory disorder with diagnostic criteria based on the HLH-2004 trial. Hemophagocytosis is the only histomorphologic criterion, but in isolation is neither specific nor sensitive for the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. While objective thresholds for clinical and laboratory criteria have been established, specific criteria for histomorphologic evidence of hemophagocytosis in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis have not been rigorously evaluated or established. We sought to determine if numerical and objective criteria for morphologic hemophagocytosis could be identified, and if such criteria would aid in the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We analyzed the morphologic features of hemophagocytosis in 78 patients presenting with clinical features suspicious for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: 40 patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and 38 patients without hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. We demonstrate that non-nucleated erythrophagocytosis alone is a non-specific finding, while hemophagocytosis of granulocytes (1 per 1000 cells, area under the curve: 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.86, 0.99), nucleated erythrocytes (4 per 1000 cells, area under the curve: 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.87, 0.98), and at least one hemophagocyte containing multiple nucleated cells (area under the curve: 0.91, 95% confidence interval: 0.85, 0.95) are strongly associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Joint modeling of hemophagocytes containing engulfed granulocytes, nucleated erythrocytes, and lymphocytes effectively distinguished between hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and non-hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (cross-validated area under curve: 0.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.83, 0.97).

    View details for PubMedID 29903767

  • HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPLANTATION OF VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES AND OUTCOMES FOLLOWING SUBSEQUENT ORTHOTROPIC HEART TRANSPLANTATION (OHT) Cheng, P., Davis, M., Ha, R., Martin, B., Banerjee, D. ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC. 2017: 864

    View details for Web of Science ID 000397342301386

  • Persistent Fever Can be Associated with Transient but Severe Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Adult Recipients of Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) for Treatment of Cardiomyopathy (CM) Martin, B., Cheng, P. A., Banerjee, D., Ha, R. AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. 2016

    View details for Web of Science ID 000394452701099

  • YTIC Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Adult Recipients of Ventricular Assist Devices (VADS) for Cardiomyopathy (CM) and Favorable Outcomes in Subsequent Orthotopic Heart Transplantation (OHT) Martin, B., Cheng, P., Ha-Tien, R., Banerjee, D. WILEY-BLACKWELL. 2016: S49

    View details for Web of Science ID 000383581100088

  • G-CSF Dosing to Prevent Recurrent Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY Freeman, G. M., Martin, B. A., Hu, R. J. 2016; 173 (6): 643-643

    View details for DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.2016.15101303

    View details for PubMedID 27245191

  • Thalidomide for treatment of gastrointestinal angiodysplasia in patients with left ventricular assist devices: Case series and treatment protocol. The Journal of heart and lung transplantation : the official publication of the International Society for Heart Transplantation Draper, K. n., Kale, P. n., Martin, B. n., Kelly Cordero, R. n., Ha, R. n., Banerjee, D. n. 2015; 34 (1): 132–34

    View details for PubMedID 25447569

  • High-dose cyclophosphamide in refractory myasthenia gravis with MuSK antibodies MUSCLE & NERVE Lin, P. T., Martin, B. A., Weinacker, A. B., So, Y. T. 2006; 33 (3): 433-435

    Abstract

    We describe a 48-year-old woman with seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG) and high-titer of anti-MuSK antibody. She had severe bulbar and respiratory weakness with minimal limb weakness for 2 years. Her disease responded poorly to all the conventional immunosuppressive regimens. Treatment with immunoablative dose of cyclophosphamide led to dramatic and sustained remission of her symptoms. High-dose cyclophosphamide is an effective alternative in patients with unusually refractory disease.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/mus.20411

    View details for PubMedID 16116645