Bio


As the Medical Director of the Stanford Cancer Center and Associate Director for Clinical Care at the Stanford Cancer Institute, it is my privilege to partner with my colleagues in advancing innovative research alongside high quality, coordinated, and compassionate care.

I aim to provide high quality care in a diverse patient practice. My clinic includes all types of hematologic disorders, ranging from anemia, clotting/bleeding disorders, and low blood counts to complex malignancies such as leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloma, and lymphoma. I aim to combine the efficiency of a private office with the complex care expected of a tertiary institution like Stanford. I value your time and strive to maintain an on-schedule clinic.

Clinical Focus


  • Cancer > Hematology
  • Hematology
  • Oncology

Academic Appointments


Administrative Appointments


  • Ann and John Doerr Medical Director of the Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford Cancer Center (2023 - Present)

Professional Education


  • Fellowship: Stanford University Hematology and Oncology Fellowship (2012) CA
  • Residency: Stanford University Internal Medicine Residency (2010) CA
  • Medical Education: UCLA David Geffen School Of Medicine Registrar (2007) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology (2013)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology (2013)
  • Board Certification, Oncology (2013)
  • Board Certification, Hematology (2013)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2010)

Clinical Trials


  • Study of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal Protein (BET) Inhibitor RO6870810 as Mono- and Combination Therapy in Advanced Multiple Myeloma Recruiting

    This is a Phase Ib, open-label, multicenter, global study designed to assess the safety and tolerability of RO6870810 as monotherapy and in combination with daratumumab in participants with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Each treatment cycle will be 21 days in length. There are two parts to this study. A dose-escalation phase (Part I) will be used to evaluate the safety and tolerability and dose limiting toxicities, and to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTR)/optimum biological dose (OBD) of RO6870810 when given as monotherapy or in combination with daratumumab. A dose-expansion phase (Part II) will further characterize the safety, tolerability and activity of RO6870810 as monotherapy or in combination with daratumumab at the defined expansion dose-levels.

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  • (QuANTUM-R): An Open-label Study of Quizartinib Monotherapy vs. Salvage Chemotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Subjects Who Are FLT3-ITD Positive Not Recruiting

    The primary objective of the study is to determine whether quizartinib monotherapy prolongs overall survival (OS) compared to salvage chemotherapy in subjects with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 - Internal Tandem Duplication (FLT3-ITD) positive AML who are refractory to or have relapsed within 6 months, after first-line AML therapy.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, 650-723-2781.

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  • A Phase 2 Open-Label Study of the Efficacy and Safety of ABT-199 (GDC-0199) in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Subjects With Relapse or Refractory to B-Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway Inhibitor Therapy Not Recruiting

    This was an open-label, non-randomized, multicenter, Phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy and safety of ABT-199 in 127 participants with relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) after B-cell receptor signaling pathway inhibitors (BCR PI) treatment.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Asma Khan, 650-724-6008.

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  • A Study Being Conducted at Multiple Locations to Compare Safety and Efficacy of Three Different Regimens; (1) High-Dose Lenalidomide; (2) Lenalidomide + Azacitidine; or (3) Azacitidine in Subjects ≥ 65 Years With Newly-Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Not Recruiting

    The study aim is to compare safety and efficacy of high-dose lenalidomide regimen, sequential azacitidine and lenalidomide and an azacitidine in persons ≥65 years with newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, (650) 723 - 2781.

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  • A Study of ACP-196 (Acalabrutinib) in Subjects With Relapsed/Refractory CLL and Intolerant of Ibrutinib Therapy Not Recruiting

    A Phase 2 Study to evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of ACP-196 (acalabrutinib) in Subjects with Relapsed/Refractory CLL and Intolerant of Ibrutinib Therapy

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Cancer Clinical Trials Office (CCTO), 650-498-7061.

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  • A Study of Vismodegib in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and Relapsed Refractory High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome Not Recruiting

    This study will assess the safety and efficacy of vismodegib in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and relapsed/refractory high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Patients in Cohort 1 will receive single-agent vismodegib 150 mg orally daily. In Cohort 2, patients will receive vismodegib 150 mg orally daily in combination with cytarabine 20 mg subcutaneously for 10 days. Anticipated time on study treatment is until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or patient withdrawal of consent.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Marlene Zuraek, (650) 736-4031.

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  • Acalabrutinib, Obinutuzumab and Chlorambucil in Treatment naïve CLL Not Recruiting

    This Primary objective is evaluating the efficacy of obinutuzumab in combination with chlorambucil (Arm A) compared with acalabrutinib in combination with obinutuzumab (Arm B) for the treatment of previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Secondary objectives: 1) To evaluate the efficacy of obinutuzumab in combination with chlorambucil (Arm A) versus acalabrutinib monotherapy (Arm C) based on IRC assessment of PFS per IWCLL 2008 criteria. 2)To compare obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil (Arm A) versus acalabrutinib plus obinutuzumab (Arm B) and obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil (Arm A) versus acalabrutinib monotherapy (Arm C) in terms of: IRC-assessed objective response rate (ORR); Tine to next treatment (TTNT); Overall Survival (OS)

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Nini Estevez, 650-725-4041.

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  • An Extension Study for Subjects Who Are Deriving Benefit With Idelalisib (GS-1101; CAL-101) Following Completion of a Prior Idelalisib Study Not Recruiting

    This is a long-term safety extension study of idelalisib (GS-1101; CAL-101) in patients with hematologic malignancies who complete other idelalisib studies. It provides the opportunity for patients to continue treatment as long as the patient is deriving clinical benefit. Patients will be followed according to the standard of care as appropriate for their type of cancer. The dose of idelalisib will generally be the same as the dose that was administered at the end of the prior study, but may be titrated up to improve clinical response or down for toxicity. Patients will be withdrawn from the study if they develop progressive disease, unacceptable toxicity related to idelalisib, or if they no longer derive clinical benefit in the opinion of the investigator.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Nini Estevez, 650-725-4041.

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  • Combination 5-azacitidine and Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Therapy for Treatment of Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Not Recruiting

    This study will test an experimental combination of the drugs Mylotarg and 5-azacitidine in the hopes of finding a treatment that may be effective against Acute Myeloid Leukemia that has come back after treatment.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, (650) 723 - 2781.

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  • Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Blinatumomab in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed BCR-ABL-Negative B Lineage Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Not Recruiting

    This randomized phase III trial studies combination chemotherapy with blinatumomab to see how well it works compared to induction chemotherapy alone in treating patients with newly diagnosed breakpoint cluster region (BCR)-c-abl oncogene 1, non-receptor tyrosine kinase (ABL)-negative B lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies, such as blinatumomab, may help the body's immune system attack the cancer, and may interfere with the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. It is not yet known whether combination chemotherapy is more effective with or without blinatumomab in treating newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Joselene Sipin-Sayno, 650-736-8113.

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  • Combination Chemotherapy With or Without Donor Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Not Recruiting

    This phase II trial is studying the side effects of giving combination chemotherapy together with or without donor stem cell transplant and to see how well it works in treating patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more cancer cells. Giving chemotherapy and total-body irradiation before a donor stem cell transplant helps stop the growth of cancer cells. It also stops the patient's immune system from rejecting the donor's stem cells. The donated stem cells may replace the patient's immune cells and help destroy any remaining cancer cells (graft-versus-tumor effect).

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Vani Jain, (650) 725 - 5459.

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  • CPX-351 in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndrome Not Recruiting

    This phase 2 clinical trial studies how well CPX-351 (liposomal cytarabine-daunorubicin) works in treating patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as CPX-351, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, 650-723-2781.

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  • Efficacy and Safety of Idelalisib in Combination With Rituximab in Patients With Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia With 17p Deletion Not Recruiting

    The primary objective of this study is to evaluate overall response rate (ORR) following treatment with idelalisib plus rituximab in participants with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with 17p deletion. An increased rate of deaths and serious adverse events (SAEs) among participants with front-line CLL and early-line indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (iNHL) treated with idelalisib in combination with standard therapies was observed by the independent data monitoring committee (DMC) during regular review of 3 Gilead Phase 3 studies. Gilead reviewed the unblinded data and terminated those studies in agreement with the DMC recommendation and in consultation with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All front-line studies of idelalisib, including this study, were also terminated.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Nini Estevez, 650-725-4041.

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  • Efficacy and Safety Study of Idelalisib in Participants With Indolent B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas Not Recruiting

    The primary objective will be to assess the overall response rate and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of idelalisib (IDELA; GS-1101) in participants with previously treated indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (iNHL) that is refractory both to rituximab and to alkylating-agent-containing chemotherapy. Eligible participants will initiate oral therapy with idelalisib at a starting dose of 150 mg taken twice per day. Treatment with idelalisib can continue in compliant participants as long as the study is still ongoing and the participants appear to be benefiting from treatment with acceptable safety.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Tessa St.Rose, (650) 736 - 4032.

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  • Efficacy of Oral Azacitidine Plus Best Supportive Care as Maintenance Therapy in Subjects With Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Complete Remission Not Recruiting

    This study enrolled 472 participants, aged 55 or older, with a diagnosis of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or AML secondary to prior myelodysplastic disease or chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and who have achieved first complete remission (CR)/ complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) following induction with or without consolidation chemotherapy. The study is amended to include an extension phase (EP). The EP allows participants who are currently receiving oral azacitidine and who are demonstrating clinical benefit as assessed by the investigator, to continue receiving oral azacitidine after unblinding by sponsor until the participant meets the criteria for study discontinuation or until oral azacitidine becomes commercially available and reimbursed. In addition, all participants in the placebo arm and participants who had been discontinued from the treatment phase (irrespective of randomization arm) and continuing in the follow-up phase will be followed for survival in the EP.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, 650-723-1269.

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  • Expanded Treatment Prot of Panobinostat in Combo w/ Bortez and Dex in Pts w/ Relapsed and/or Refractory Multiple Myeloma Not Recruiting

    This will be a multi-center, open label, expanded treatment protocol of panobinostat, bortezomib and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma. Panobinostat will be administered at a starting dose of 20mg orally three times a week (every other day) for two weeks on and one week off, with dose adjustments permitted based on observed toxicity. Bortezomib will be administered either intravenously or sub-cutaneously, twice a week on days 1 and 4, two weeks on 1 week off. After 8 cycles of treatment, patients who have achieved stable disease or better by modified EBMT 1998 criteria may continue combination therapy with bortezomib dosing changed to days 1 and 8 of a 21 day cycle for up to 48 weeks of therapy. At the end of the treatment period, (48 weeks) patients with stable disease or better may continue on therapy at the discretion of their investigator until September 2015 or until drug is commercially available, whichever comes first. Patients who have not achieved at least stable disease by 8 cycles must discontinue from study treatment. Dexamethasone will be administered on the day of and the day immediately following bortezomib treatment. Patients will not receive any study treatment during the third week of each cycle. Cycles will be defined as 21 days of treatment. Investigators may not add any other anti-myeloma agents (with the exception of bisphosphonates) while patients remain on study treatment. Patients will remain on study until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or end of the study

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Ying Hao, 650-723-0646.

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  • Ibrutinib, Idarubicin and Cytarabine in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia Not Recruiting

    This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of ibrutinib when given together with idarubicin and cytarabine in treating patients with acute myeloid leukemia that has returned after a period of improvement or has not responded to previous treatment. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as idarubicin and cytarabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Giving ibrutinib together with idarubicin and cytarabine may kill more cancer cells.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, 650-723-2781.

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  • Phase 1/2, Open Label, Dose Escalation Study of NEOD001 in Subjects With Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis Not Recruiting

    Dose escalation study to determine the maximum tolerated dose of NEOD001 in approximately 30 subjects with AL amyloidosis. Expansion phase to evaluate safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of NEOD001 in 25 additional subjects at the maximum tolerated dose.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Ying Hao, 650-723-0646.

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  • Rituximab and Bendamustine Hydrochloride, Rituximab and Ibrutinib, or Ibrutinib Alone in Treating Older Patients With Previously Untreated Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Not Recruiting

    This randomized phase III trial studies rituximab with bendamustine hydrochloride or ibrutinib to see how well they work compared to ibrutinib alone in treating older patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, may block cancer growth in different ways by targeting certain cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as bendamustine hydrochloride, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells, by stopping them from dividing, or by stopping them from spreading. Ibrutinib may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. It is not yet known whether rituximab with bendamustine hydrochloride may work better than rituximab and ibrutinib or ibrutinib alone in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Kevin Morrison, 650-725-5459.

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  • S0535, Gemtuzumab and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Previously Untreated Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Not Recruiting

    RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as gemtuzumab, can block cancer growth in different ways. Some find cancer cells and help kill them or carry cancer-killing substances to them. Others interfere with the ability of cancer cells to grow and spread. Gemtuzumab may also stop the growth of promyelocytic leukemia by blocking blood flow to the cancer. Giving gemtuzumab together with combination chemotherapy may be more effective in treating promyelocytic leukemia. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving gemtuzumab together with combination chemotherapy works in treating patients with previously untreated promyelocytic leukemia.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Nini Estevez, (650) 725 - 4041.

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  • S0919 Idarubicin, Cytarabine, and Pravastatin in Treating Patients With Relapsed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Not Recruiting

    RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as idarubicin and cytarabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Pravastatin may stop the growth of cancer cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Pravastatin may also help idarubicin and cytarabine work better by making cancer cells more sensitive to the drugs. Giving idarubicin and cytarabine together with pravastatin may kill more cancer cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving idarubicin and cytarabine together with pravastatin works in treating patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML). ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: S0919 was initially designed for patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML), where the patient's preceding remission had lasted ≥ 3 months. The null response rate was 30%. The study closed to accrual on Nov 1, 2012 after meeting the defined criterion for a positive study; and the results are being submitted to the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting. Based on the promising results from this trial, the trial has now been amended to evaluate this therapeutic regimen in poor-risk patients (patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) arising out of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with the patient's preceding remission lasting < 6 months).

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Joselene Sipin-Sayno, 650-736-8113.

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  • S1312, Inotuzumab Ozogamicin and Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Acute Leukemia Not Recruiting

    This phase I trial studies the side effects and best dose of inotuzumab ozogamicin when given together with combination chemotherapy in treating patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia. Immunotoxins, such as inotuzumab ozogamicin, can find cancer cells that express cluster of differentiation (CD)22 and kill them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as cyclophosphamide, vincristine sulfate, and prednisone, work in different ways to stop the growth of cancer cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving inotuzumab ozogamicin together with combination chemotherapy may kill more cancer cells.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Kevin Morrison, 650-725-5450.

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  • Safety & Efficacy Study of Oral Panobinostat (LBH589) With Chemotherapy in Patients < 65 Years Old With Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Not Recruiting

    This study will be conducted to assess the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of panobinostat given 3 times a week (administered on weeks 2 and 3 of a 4 week cycle) in combination with induction chemotherapy (idarubicin and cytarabine) in newly diagnosed patients with a cytopathologically confirmed diagnosis of high-risk AML, and to investigate the safety of the combination in this regimen.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Jack Taw, (650) 723 - 2781.

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  • Safety and Efficacy Study of Pracinostat With Azacitadine in Elderly Patients With Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Not Recruiting

    The purpose of this study is to determine the safety and effectiveness of pracinostat when combined with azacitadine for patients who are 65 years of age or older and have Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML)

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Leilani Hong Lien, 650-725-0437.

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  • Study of Acalabrutinib (ACP-196) Versus Ibrutinib in Previously Treated Participants With High Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Not Recruiting

    This study is designed to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) endpoint for acalabrutinib versus (vs) ibrutinib in previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Cancer Clinical Trials Office (CCTO), 650-498-7061.

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  • Study of Effectiveness of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel Compared to Standard of Care Therapy in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Not Recruiting

    The goal of this clinical study is to assess whether axicabtagene ciloleucel therapy improves the clinical outcome compared with standard of care second-line therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Cancer Clinical Trials Office (CCTO), 650-498-7061.

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  • Study to Investigate Idelalisib in Combination With Chemotherapeutic Agents, Immunomodulatory Agents and Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Indolent B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Mantle Cell Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Not Recruiting

    The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety of idelalisib in combination with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb), a chemotherapeutic agent, a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, a protease inhibitor, an antiangiogenic agent, and/or an immunomodulatory agent in participants with relapsed or refractory indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

    Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Nini Estevez, 650725-4041.

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All Publications


  • Longitudinal study of 2 patients with cyclic thrombocytopenia, STAT3, and MPL mutations. Blood advances Zhang, H., Chien, M., Hou, Y., Shomali, W., Brar, R., Ho, C., Han, P., Xu, D., Zhang, B. M., Guo, X., Tolentino, L., Wu, N. C., Tsai, A. G., Jin, J., Witteles, W. H., Chen, Z., Abidi, P., Jangam, D., Krieger, M. S., Craig, M., Bussel, J. B., Gotlib, J. R., Zehnder, J. L. 2022

    Abstract

    Cyclic thrombocytopenia (CTP) is a rare disease of periodic platelet count oscillations. The pathogenesis of CTP remains elusive. To study the underlying pathophysiology and genetic and cellular associations with CTP, we applied systems biology approaches to two patients with stable platelet cycling and reciprocal thrombopoietin (TPO) cycling at multiple time points through 2 cycles. Blood transcriptome analysis revealed cycling of platelet-specific genes, which are in parallel with and precede platelet count oscillation, indicating that cyclical platelet production leads platelet count cycling in both patients. Additionally, neutrophil and erythrocyte-specific genes also showed fluctuations correlating with platelet count changes, consistent with TPO effects on hematopoietic progenitors. Moreover, we found novel genetic associations with CTP. One patient had a novel germline heterozygous loss-of-function (LOF) thrombopoietin receptor (MPL) c.1210G>A mutation, and both had pathogenic somatic gain-of-function (GOF) variants in signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). In addition, both patients had clonal T-cell populations that remained stable throughout platelet count cycles. These mutations and clonal T cells may potentially involve in the pathogenic baseline in these patients rendering exaggerated persistent thrombopoiesis oscillations of their intrinsic rhythm upon homeostatic perturbations. This work provides new insights into the pathophysiology of CTP and possible therapies.

    View details for DOI 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021006701

    View details for PubMedID 35381066

  • Machine Learning Predictability of Clinical Next Generation Sequencing for Hematologic Malignancies to Guide High-Value Precision Medicine. AMIA ... Annual Symposium proceedings. AMIA Symposium Kim, G. Y., Noshad, M., Stehr, H., Rojansky, R., Gratzinger, D., Oak, J., Brar, R., Iberri, D., Kong, C., Zehnder, J., Chen, J. H. 2021; 2021: 641-650

    Abstract

    Advancing diagnostic testing capabilities such as clinical next generation sequencing methods offer the potential to diagnose, risk stratify, and guide specialized treatment, but must be balanced against the escalating costs of healthcare to identify patient cases most likely to benefit from them. Heme-STAMP (Stanford Actionable Mutation Panel for Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Malignancies) is one such next generation sequencing test. Our objective is to assess how well Heme-STAMP pathological variants can be predicted given electronic health records data available at the time of test ordering. The model demonstrated AUROC 0.74 (95% CI: [0.72, 0.76]) with 99% negative predictive value at 6% specificity. A benchmark for comparison is the prevalence of positive results in the dataset at 58.7%. Identifying patients with very low or very high predicted probabilities of finding actionable mutations (positive result) could guide more precise high-value selection of patient cases to test.

    View details for PubMedID 35308914

  • A Case of G6PC3 Congenital Neutropenia, Misdiagnosed As Evans Syndrome Camacho, J., Brar, R., Chapman, C., Fernandez-Pol, S., Weinacht, K., Gernez, Y. SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS. 2020: S131–S132
  • Splenectomy for benign and malignant hematologic pathology: Modern morbidity, mortality, and long-term outcomes. Surgery open science Alobuia, W. M., Perrone, K. n., Iberri, D. J., Brar, R. S., Spain, D. A., Forrester, J. D. 2020; 2 (4): 19–24

    Abstract

    The role of splenectomy to diagnose and treat hematologic disease continues to evolve. In this single-center retrospective review, we describe modern morbidity, mortality, and long-term outcomes associated with splenectomy for benign and malignant hematologic disorders.We analyzed all nontrauma splenectomies performed for benign or malignant hematologic disorders from January 2009 to September 2018. Variables collected included demographics, preexisting comorbidities, laboratory results, intra- and postoperative features, and long-term follow-up. Outcomes of interest included postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and overall mortality.We identified 161 patients who underwent splenectomy for hematologic disorders. Median age was 54 years (range 19-94), and 83 (52%) were female. Splenectomy was performed for 95 (59%) patients with benign hematologic disorders and for 66 (41%) with malignant conditions. Most splenectomies were laparoscopic (76%), followed by laparoscopic hand assisted (11%), open (8%), and laparoscopic converted to open (6%). Median follow-up was 761 days (interquartile range: 179-2025 days). Major complications occurred in 21 (13%) patients. Three (2%) patients died within 30 days; 16 (9%) died more than 30 days after operation, none from surgical complications, with median time to death of 438 days (interquartile range: 231-1497 days). Among malignant cases, only preoperative thrombocytopenia predicted death (odds ratio = 5.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-31.8, P = .04). For benign cases, increasing age was associated with inferior survival (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.0-5.1, P = .05).Splenectomy remains an important diagnostic and therapeutic option for patients with benign and malignant hematologic disorders and can be performed with a low complication rate. Despite considerable burden of comorbid disease in these patients, early postoperative mortality was uncommon.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.sopen.2020.06.004

    View details for PubMedID 32939448

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC7479208

  • Late presentation of dyskeratosis congenita. British journal of haematology Shomali, W., Brar, R. 2019

    View details for DOI 10.1111/bjh.16131

    View details for PubMedID 31385294

  • A Kindred with a β-Globin Base Substitution [β89(F5)Ser→Arg (AGT>AGG); HBB: c.270T>G] Resulting in Hemoglobin Vanderbilt. Hemoglobin Shomali, W. n., Brar, R. n., Arekapudi, S. R., Gotlib, J. R. 2019: 1–4

    Abstract

    High oxygen affinity hemoglobins (Hbs), characterized by a decreased ability to release oxygen to the tissues and a left-shifted oxygen dissociation curve, are a rare cause of secondary erythrocytosis. Here, we report a base substitution in the β-globin gene at codon 89 (AGT>AGG) in a kindred with familial erythrocytosis resulting in Hb Vanderbilt, a high oxygen affinity variant.

    View details for DOI 10.1080/03630269.2019.1680382

    View details for PubMedID 31657650