Ghobrial Research News
FNIH Biomarkers Consortium Announces Biomarker Project to Better Identify Patients at Risk for Progression to Multiple Myeloma
June 26, 2024 - The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Biomarkers Consortium (BC) announces the launch of MMyeRisk, a project to evaluate tumor and immune biomarkers to predict progression from early precursor conditions to multiple myeloma and identify patients likely to benefit from earlier treatment.
Get to Know… Irene Ghobrial, MD
January 3, 2024 - Dr. Ghobrial, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses how she entered the field of smoldering myeloma, the PCROWD and PROMISE studies, and the racial gap in myeloma research, treatment, and diagnosis.
Dana-Farber launches new centers to detect and intercept cancer
December 1, 2023 - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is launching a first-of-its-kind, integrated clinic to increase early detection of precancerous conditions and to prevent cancer from arising in individuals at increased risk for the disease. The new Centers for Early Detection and Interception at Dana-Farber bring together clinicians and researchers across many cancer types with a shared focus on precursor and hereditary conditions that can be early indicators of blood cancers and solid tumors.
Dr. Ghobrial on Future Efforts to Prevent the Development of Multiple Myeloma
October 20, 2022 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, discusses future efforts to prevent the development of multiple myeloma.
Study sheds light on precancerous ‘clonal outgrowth’ in blood cells
September 26, 2022 - A common spontaneous mutation in blood stem cells – which has been linked to higher risks of blood cancer and cardiovascular disease – may promote these diseases by altering the stem cells’ programming of gene activity and the mix of blood cells they produce, according to a study co-led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian, the New York Genome Center, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dana-Farber’s Irene Ghobrial, MD, Selected as William Dameshek Prize Winner
August 10, 2022 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, Director of the Clinical Investigator Research Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, has received the William Dameshek Prize. This award is given annually by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) to an individual younger than age 50 who has made outstanding contributions in hematology.
Multiple myeloma is usually detected late. Some researchers think a precursor could help catch it early
April 21, 2022 - For all the recent advances in treating multiple myeloma, scientists have only inched forward in finding ways of screening or intervening early for the disease. Where the discovery of a polyp or a lump might avert progress of colon or breast cancer, blood cancer clinicians have few ways to treat patients who are on the cusp of developing cancer.
Clinical Trials on Smoldering Myeloma May Open Doors to More Precision Medicine
December 29, 2020 - In an interview with CURE®, Dr. Irene M. Ghobrial discussed smoldering myeloma, a precursor condition that may progress to multiple myeloma, how to proceed if diagnosed with the condition and the available opportunities to participate in clinical trials to learn more.
MMRF Joins Dana-Farber to Advance Research in Smoldering Myeloma
December 14, 2020 - The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has joined forces with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to develop new biomarkers and treatments for people with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) — a precursor condition to multiple myeloma.
Katie Couric Helps Spread the Word About Why Blood Cancer is Often Diagnosed Too Late
November 27, 2020 - In a recent interview, Katie asked our study's principal investigator, Irene Ghobrial, MD, to help readers understand why blood cancers are often diagnosed too late. Most of us, even people with risk factors for blood cancers such as Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma, and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia may not ever be screened until they have symptoms.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Quest Diagnostics collaborate to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 in individuals with precursor to multiple myeloma
November 16, 2020 - Collaboration will include COVID-19 IgG antibody testing for up to 1,000 study participants - Research aims to identify unique health challenges and treatment opportunities for individuals, particularly African Americans, with or at high risk of multiple myeloma after recovery from COVID-19 disease.
Dr. Ghobrial Discusses the Importance of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's CureCloud Study
July 26, 2020 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, discusses the importance of the data made available through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s CureCloud research study.
Dr. Ghobrial runs the 2019 Boston Marathon
April 15, 2019 - Dr. Ghobrial ran the 2019 Boston Marathon with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge squad.
Dana Farber opens the Center for the Prevention of Progression clinic
March 4, 2019 - Spearheaded by Dr.'s Irene Ghobrial and David Steensma, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute established the Center for the Prevention of Progression clinic.
10 years of Standing Up to Cancer
September 8, 2018 - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is proud to collaborate with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) in our shared mission to conquer cancer.
Irene Ghobrial, MD talks about genomic aberrations and the PCROWD study
In this video at ASH 2017, Irene Ghobrial, MD describes the research and recent discoveries that have been made possible thanks to PCROWD samples.
Irene Ghobrial, MD receives SU2C Catalyst grant
November 21, 2017 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, co-director of the Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers, is among the first to receive a research grant through the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Catalyst program.
We walked the 2017 Jimmy Fund Walk
On September 24, the Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers' PCROWD study nine- member team walked the 2017 Jimmy Fund Walk to raise funds for the PCROWD study. We raised more than $5000 that will go to fund our research of precursor conditions. To see photos of the event, click here.
We climbed Kilimanjaro!
July 2017 - Alex Detappe, MSc and Irene Ghobrial, MD climbed mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
2017 ASCO Annual Meeting: Are we integrating biologic advances in MM into clinical practice?
June 7, 2017 - Irene Ghobrial shared information about novel biomarkers in myeloma. She stated that currently used prognostic biomarkers include bone marrow biopsy, blood sampling and imaging, but felt there are opportunities to modernize the use of all these methods.
Key highlights from the ESH Clinical Updates meeting on Multiple Myeloma
May 22, 2017 - Irene Ghobrial from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute proposed that in this respect the unique property of MM, in having a well-characterized precursor state, should be taken advantage of. A program in which patients were ‘empowered’ to send samples themselves that could be used to screen for possible prognostic factors for progression from MGUS to MM, was outlined.
Inhibiting the oncogenic translation program is an effective therapeutic strategy in multiple myeloma
May 10, 2017 - Salomon Manier, PhD and Irene Ghobrial, MD, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, offer the first demonstration of a compound that can interfere with the five proteins that are critical to the survival of myeloma cells. Manier, the study's lead author says, "The results show we can selectively deplete these proteins while leaving other, non-cancer-related proteins unperturbed."
Benefits of early therapeutic intervention for high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma patients
December, 2016 - Irene Ghobrial, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses the benefits of early therapeutic interventions for patients with high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma (MM).
How to use social media in clinical trials - reaching out to patients
Irene Ghobrial, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses ways to use social media in clinical trials. They started to crowdsource for patients and launched a website targeting patients with pre-cursor conditions including MGUS or smouldering myeloma.
Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) & importance of regularly monitoring patients
Irene Ghobrial, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). There are still questions around how to follow up patients with MGUS and whether these patients should be followed up regularly or not.
Early treatment may prevent progression to multiple myeloma
December, 2016 - Early intervention with an immunotherapy-based drug combination may prevent progression of high-risk “smoldering” multiple myeloma to the full-blown disease, according to researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
2016 ASH Abstract Achievement Award Recipients
Five Ghobrial Lab team members, Jihye Park, PhD, Yujia Shen, PhD, Salomon Manier, MD, Karma Salem, MD, and Juliette Bouyssou, were recognized with the 2016 ASH Abstract Achievement Award
The genomics behind blood cancers and other blood disorders
September, 2016 - Many of the secrets of why precancerous conditions sometimes become cancerous are hidden in cells’ genes. At Dana-Farber, researchers are collecting tissue samples to see if they can pry open those secrets and unlock new treatment options for certain types of blood cancers and other blood disorders.
How can we improve our understanding of the progression of myeloma?
June, 2016 - Irene Ghobrial, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Boston, MA, discusses the progression of multiple myeloma (MM), which comes from precursor conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma. It is not known, however, which patients will progress.
Cancer researcher runs Alaska half marathon to raise funds for lifesaving treatments
June, 2016 - Not only has Irene Ghobrial, M.D. dedicated her professional life to finding lifesaving treatments for cancer, but over the past few months she has dedicated her leisure time to training for a half marathon in Alaska, to raise funds for cancer research.
Treatment is Waiting
In 2014, Ghobrial launched Dana-Farber’s new Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers, which sees patients with early myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), early CLL, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma, which can progress to multiple myeloma, in order to learn more about the natural history of these cancers and develop therapies that could potentially prevent progression.
Preventing Myeloma Before it Gets Started with Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
March 17, 2016 - Interview with the HealthTree Foundation- Can we prevent smoldering myeloma or MGUS from progressing to active myeloma? Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD wonders why we are waiting until progression to treat when we have newer non-toxic therapies to use. Dr. Ghobrial shares her Prevention of Progression Clinic's efforts to keep myeloma at bay.
Gift funds precursor condition research for blood cancers
Spring 2016 - A generous gift from anonymous donors may give new hope to those diagnosed with “precursor conditions,” conditions that, although not yet cancerous, may develop into blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Impact, Volume 19, Issue 2.
The Latest Research in Multiple Myeloma, Leukemia, and Other Blood Cancers
February, 10, 2016 - The last two years have been very exciting for blood cancer research; many new targeted therapies and immunotherapies are improving treatment outcomes for patients with lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
Irene Ghobrial, MD explains Dana-Farber's CPOP
January 15, 2016 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, explains the strategy and need for Dana-Farber’s Center for the Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers -- a research initiative focused on understanding the progression and evolution of blood cancers, with an aim to develop targeted medicines that will leading to early interventions that can eliminate blood cancers.
Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers
The Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, under the direction of Irene Ghobrial, MD, is the first in the nation - leading research and clinical efforts to halt the progression of precancerous conditions before they develop into blood cancers.
Irene Ghobrial, MD, International Myeloma Foundation 2016 Senior Grant Award recipient
Irene Ghobrial, MD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has been awarded the Brian D. Novis Senior Grant to continue her work in blood biomarkers for clonal progression in multiple myeloma.
Irene Ghobrial, MD, was invited to participate in a panel of Clinical Investigators at ASH 2015
Clinical Investigators provided their perspectives on challenging issues and ongoing research in the management of multiple myeloma. Five general hematologic oncologists identified patient scenarios, management concerns, and available data sets that pose the greatest challenge to their clinical decision making. Utilizing this information as the basis for the agenda, the distinguished panel of myeloma experts employed didactic presentations, audience polling featuring networked table devices, and panel discussion that provided perspectives on new and emerging research and addressed the real-world concerns voiced by the group.
2015 ASH Abstract Achievement Award Recipients
Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD, Salomon Manier, MD, and Yawara Kawano, MD, PhD were recognized with the 2015 ASH Abstract Achievement Award.
Aldo Roccaro New Young ISSNAF Co-Coordinator
Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD, senior scientist at Harvard, will be Young ISSNAF's Co-Coordinator. Aldo is the recipient of the 2015 Paola Campese Award on Research on Leukemia and had a special mention in 2013 for the same Award.
Irene Ghobrial, MD, invited speaker at MHM, discusses how she treats smoldering myeloma
September 18, 2015 - Dr. Irene Ghobrial will reviews 1) the current knowledge of smoldering myeloma and risk factors associated with progression, as well as biological insights and alterations that occur in the tumor clone and the surrounding bone marrow niche, 2) clinical trials that have been performed in these patients and 3) recommendations for follow-up of patients with this unique disease entity.
Cure Forward launches website to connect cancer patients with clinical trials
September 22, 2015 - The Boston Globe: Cure Forward, a web service that seeks to connect cancer patients with clinical trials, opened its service to patients and physicians for the first time on Tuesday. Irene Ghobrial, associate professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is quoted.
The New Paradigm: Should we treat precursor conditions for blood cancer?
July, 2015 - Dr. Ghobrial is the Doctor on Call in the July IWMF Newsletter Torch. See page 5.
Keeping cells from supporting tumors
Summer 2015 - Dr. Ghobrial and other scientists are exploring different aspects of the tumor microenvironment – the molecules, cells, and blood vessels that surround and support a tumor.
Inside the Institute: Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD receives International Award
Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD, has received the 2015 "Francesco De Luca"International Prize for cancer research from the Accademia dei Lincei,"in a ceremony in Rome attended by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.
Facebook is a friend to those suffering rare maladies
May 25, 2015 - Dr. Irene Ghobrial of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston has recruited 200 patients, including those with an early precursor to multiple myeloma, to participate in a clinical trial after mentioning the test on Twitter and Facebook.
Myeloma Survival Blogpost
February 17, 2015 - "Dr. Irene Ghobrial of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute was on the Feb 12th Cure Panel and her broadcast was exceptional, however I want to talk of one MAJOR takeaway I had from the program. Her point was simple, straight forward, logical, and impossible to argue against that Multiple Myeloma is the only cancer where we wait for it to metastasize and show organ, bone damage, or anemia before we begin treatment."
Curetalks Broadcast: Early treatment of Myeloma with Dr. Irene Ghobrial
Listen to Dr. Ghobrial as she discusses new strategies to help MGUS and smoldering patients. In contrast to the watch and wait approach practiced by doctors for patients where disease progression is not easily discernible, this new approach to understand the patients' condition and treat early may prove to be life saving. Curetalks site and blogtalkradio site
Irene Ghobrial Receives Mentoring Award
This year's postdoc and graduate student retreat concluded with the announcement that Irene Ghobrial, MD, of Medical Oncology is the recipient of the 2014 Mentor of the Year Award. In announcing the award, Chief Scientific Officer Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD, recalled that when Ghobrial arrived at the Institute, "she was incredibly hungry to begin her research into B cell malignancies," and she brings the same energy to working with students in her lab. "When her fellows and postdocs give research presentations, she knows how to ask the right questions, she knows how to be supportive, and knows how to draw out her mentees."
2014 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Highlights, San Francisco
As leaders in blood and cancer research, physicians and scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center showcased their advances in this field at the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Francisco, California, December 6-9, 2014.
Preventing Disease Progression from MGUS and Smoldering Myeloma with Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
November 4, 2014 - Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Center shares several new compounds that make the bone marrow microenvironment unfriendly to myeloma cells so they can’t attach to bone, preventing painful bone damage.
Inside the Institute: New clinic sets sights on precursors of blood cancers
November 4, 2014 - The Blood Cancer Prevention of Progression Clinic (BCPC) created by DF/BWCC clinicians and researchers aims to drive a new understanding of blood cancer precursors.
Saint Francis Partners With Dana-Farber For Clinical Trials
October 24, 2014The relationship with Saint Francis starts immediately, building on other relationships that were started with other hospitals two years ago, said Dr. Irene Ghobrial, a medical oncologist and co-director of the Blood Cancer Research Program.
Insight: New Clinic Focuses on Why Some Conditions Become Cancer While Others Don't
October 22, 2014 - Thousands of people learn each year – usually after a routine blood test – that they have a condition that may develop into a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
Protecting the Fortress: Preventing Metastasis by Neutralizing Niche Homing
October 8, 2014 - Metastasis is a critical step in tumor malignancy, yet therapies generally are not designed to target this process. The bone marrow is a target organ to which metastatic tumor cells are attracted by a variety of signals, including stromal-cell–derived factor 1 (SDF-1). Roccaro and colleagues have now developed a high-affinity PEGylated Spiegelmer (artificial l-oligonucleotide) that targets SDF-1 and attenuates cancer cell homing and metastasis to the bone marrow in a multiple myeloma mouse model.
Novel compound prevents metastasis of multiple myeloma in mouse studies
October 7, 2014 - In a striking advance against the problem of cancer metastasis, Dana-Farber scientists have shown that a specially developed compound can impede multiple myeloma from spreading to the bones in mice.
Paper Highlight on Cell Therapy News
October 6, 2014 - Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD's paper titled SDF-1 Inhibition Targets the Bone Marrow Niche for Cancer Therapy was recently highlighted in Cell Therapy News. Congratulations Aldo!
Novel compound prevents metastasis of Multiple Myeloma in mouse studies
September 25, 2014 - Dana-Farber scientists show, in mice, that a specially developed compound can impede the spread of Multiple Myeloma to the bones
Inside the Institute: Nanoparticles deliver drugs to fight bone cancer
July 29, 2014 - Dr. Ghobrial and Dr. Reagan are studying a delivery system using nanoparticles that target bone cancer cells and release a drug to slow the progress of Multiple Myeloma.
Scientists Engineer Nanoparticles to Prevent Bone Cancer, Strengthen Bones
June 30, 2014 - A research collaboration between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and has utilized nanomedicine technologies to develop a drug-delivery system that can precisely target and attack cancer cells in the bone, as well as increase bone strength and volume to prevent bone cancer progression. Read the PNAS full article here.
Blood Cancer Research Project (BCRP)
Blood Cancer Research Partnership’s (BCRP) mission is to provide innovative clinical trials to patients closer to their home. BCRP’s main objective is to bring the novel trials to the patients across the country.
Blood Cancer Prevention of Progression Clinic (BCPC)
The Blood Cancer Prevention of Progression Clinic (BCPC) is a research initiative focused on understanding the progression and clonal evolution of blood cancers, with an ultimate aim to develop targeted therapeutic agents that can eliminate the early clones of disease.
On the cover of "Blood": Investigating osteogenic differentiation in multiple myeloma using a novel 3D bone marrow niche model
February 24, 2014 - Clonal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow (BM) affects local cells, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), leading to osteolysis and fatality in multiple myeloma (MM). Consequently, there is an urgent need to find better mechanisms of inhibiting myeloma growth and osteolytic lesion development.
The Hematologist: Similar Dreams, Different Journeys
November 1, 2011 - As the 10-year anniversary of the Clinical Research Training Institute approaches, ASH highlights two early participants. Dr. Ghobrial participated in 2003 (the inaugural year), and Dr. Blum participated in 2004.
June 26, 2024 - The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) Biomarkers Consortium (BC) announces the launch of MMyeRisk, a project to evaluate tumor and immune biomarkers to predict progression from early precursor conditions to multiple myeloma and identify patients likely to benefit from earlier treatment.
Get to Know… Irene Ghobrial, MD
January 3, 2024 - Dr. Ghobrial, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, discusses how she entered the field of smoldering myeloma, the PCROWD and PROMISE studies, and the racial gap in myeloma research, treatment, and diagnosis.
Dana-Farber launches new centers to detect and intercept cancer
December 1, 2023 - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is launching a first-of-its-kind, integrated clinic to increase early detection of precancerous conditions and to prevent cancer from arising in individuals at increased risk for the disease. The new Centers for Early Detection and Interception at Dana-Farber bring together clinicians and researchers across many cancer types with a shared focus on precursor and hereditary conditions that can be early indicators of blood cancers and solid tumors.
Dr. Ghobrial on Future Efforts to Prevent the Development of Multiple Myeloma
October 20, 2022 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, discusses future efforts to prevent the development of multiple myeloma.
Study sheds light on precancerous ‘clonal outgrowth’ in blood cells
September 26, 2022 - A common spontaneous mutation in blood stem cells – which has been linked to higher risks of blood cancer and cardiovascular disease – may promote these diseases by altering the stem cells’ programming of gene activity and the mix of blood cells they produce, according to a study co-led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian, the New York Genome Center, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Dana-Farber’s Irene Ghobrial, MD, Selected as William Dameshek Prize Winner
August 10, 2022 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, Director of the Clinical Investigator Research Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, has received the William Dameshek Prize. This award is given annually by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) to an individual younger than age 50 who has made outstanding contributions in hematology.
Multiple myeloma is usually detected late. Some researchers think a precursor could help catch it early
April 21, 2022 - For all the recent advances in treating multiple myeloma, scientists have only inched forward in finding ways of screening or intervening early for the disease. Where the discovery of a polyp or a lump might avert progress of colon or breast cancer, blood cancer clinicians have few ways to treat patients who are on the cusp of developing cancer.
Clinical Trials on Smoldering Myeloma May Open Doors to More Precision Medicine
December 29, 2020 - In an interview with CURE®, Dr. Irene M. Ghobrial discussed smoldering myeloma, a precursor condition that may progress to multiple myeloma, how to proceed if diagnosed with the condition and the available opportunities to participate in clinical trials to learn more.
MMRF Joins Dana-Farber to Advance Research in Smoldering Myeloma
December 14, 2020 - The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has joined forces with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to develop new biomarkers and treatments for people with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) — a precursor condition to multiple myeloma.
Katie Couric Helps Spread the Word About Why Blood Cancer is Often Diagnosed Too Late
November 27, 2020 - In a recent interview, Katie asked our study's principal investigator, Irene Ghobrial, MD, to help readers understand why blood cancers are often diagnosed too late. Most of us, even people with risk factors for blood cancers such as Multiple Myeloma, Lymphoma, and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia may not ever be screened until they have symptoms.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Quest Diagnostics collaborate to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 in individuals with precursor to multiple myeloma
November 16, 2020 - Collaboration will include COVID-19 IgG antibody testing for up to 1,000 study participants - Research aims to identify unique health challenges and treatment opportunities for individuals, particularly African Americans, with or at high risk of multiple myeloma after recovery from COVID-19 disease.
Dr. Ghobrial Discusses the Importance of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's CureCloud Study
July 26, 2020 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, discusses the importance of the data made available through the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s CureCloud research study.
Dr. Ghobrial runs the 2019 Boston Marathon
April 15, 2019 - Dr. Ghobrial ran the 2019 Boston Marathon with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge squad.
Dana Farber opens the Center for the Prevention of Progression clinic
March 4, 2019 - Spearheaded by Dr.'s Irene Ghobrial and David Steensma, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute established the Center for the Prevention of Progression clinic.
10 years of Standing Up to Cancer
September 8, 2018 - Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is proud to collaborate with Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) in our shared mission to conquer cancer.
Irene Ghobrial, MD talks about genomic aberrations and the PCROWD study
In this video at ASH 2017, Irene Ghobrial, MD describes the research and recent discoveries that have been made possible thanks to PCROWD samples.
Irene Ghobrial, MD receives SU2C Catalyst grant
November 21, 2017 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, co-director of the Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers, is among the first to receive a research grant through the Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) Catalyst program.
We walked the 2017 Jimmy Fund Walk
On September 24, the Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers' PCROWD study nine- member team walked the 2017 Jimmy Fund Walk to raise funds for the PCROWD study. We raised more than $5000 that will go to fund our research of precursor conditions. To see photos of the event, click here.
We climbed Kilimanjaro!
July 2017 - Alex Detappe, MSc and Irene Ghobrial, MD climbed mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
2017 ASCO Annual Meeting: Are we integrating biologic advances in MM into clinical practice?
June 7, 2017 - Irene Ghobrial shared information about novel biomarkers in myeloma. She stated that currently used prognostic biomarkers include bone marrow biopsy, blood sampling and imaging, but felt there are opportunities to modernize the use of all these methods.
Key highlights from the ESH Clinical Updates meeting on Multiple Myeloma
May 22, 2017 - Irene Ghobrial from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute proposed that in this respect the unique property of MM, in having a well-characterized precursor state, should be taken advantage of. A program in which patients were ‘empowered’ to send samples themselves that could be used to screen for possible prognostic factors for progression from MGUS to MM, was outlined.
Inhibiting the oncogenic translation program is an effective therapeutic strategy in multiple myeloma
May 10, 2017 - Salomon Manier, PhD and Irene Ghobrial, MD, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, offer the first demonstration of a compound that can interfere with the five proteins that are critical to the survival of myeloma cells. Manier, the study's lead author says, "The results show we can selectively deplete these proteins while leaving other, non-cancer-related proteins unperturbed."
Benefits of early therapeutic intervention for high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma patients
December, 2016 - Irene Ghobrial, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses the benefits of early therapeutic interventions for patients with high-risk smouldering multiple myeloma (MM).
How to use social media in clinical trials - reaching out to patients
Irene Ghobrial, MD of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses ways to use social media in clinical trials. They started to crowdsource for patients and launched a website targeting patients with pre-cursor conditions including MGUS or smouldering myeloma.
Monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) & importance of regularly monitoring patients
Irene Ghobrial, MD, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, discusses monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). There are still questions around how to follow up patients with MGUS and whether these patients should be followed up regularly or not.
Early treatment may prevent progression to multiple myeloma
December, 2016 - Early intervention with an immunotherapy-based drug combination may prevent progression of high-risk “smoldering” multiple myeloma to the full-blown disease, according to researchers from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
2016 ASH Abstract Achievement Award Recipients
Five Ghobrial Lab team members, Jihye Park, PhD, Yujia Shen, PhD, Salomon Manier, MD, Karma Salem, MD, and Juliette Bouyssou, were recognized with the 2016 ASH Abstract Achievement Award
The genomics behind blood cancers and other blood disorders
September, 2016 - Many of the secrets of why precancerous conditions sometimes become cancerous are hidden in cells’ genes. At Dana-Farber, researchers are collecting tissue samples to see if they can pry open those secrets and unlock new treatment options for certain types of blood cancers and other blood disorders.
How can we improve our understanding of the progression of myeloma?
June, 2016 - Irene Ghobrial, MD of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), Boston, MA, discusses the progression of multiple myeloma (MM), which comes from precursor conditions such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma. It is not known, however, which patients will progress.
Cancer researcher runs Alaska half marathon to raise funds for lifesaving treatments
June, 2016 - Not only has Irene Ghobrial, M.D. dedicated her professional life to finding lifesaving treatments for cancer, but over the past few months she has dedicated her leisure time to training for a half marathon in Alaska, to raise funds for cancer research.
Treatment is Waiting
In 2014, Ghobrial launched Dana-Farber’s new Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers, which sees patients with early myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), early CLL, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering myeloma, which can progress to multiple myeloma, in order to learn more about the natural history of these cancers and develop therapies that could potentially prevent progression.
Preventing Myeloma Before it Gets Started with Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
March 17, 2016 - Interview with the HealthTree Foundation- Can we prevent smoldering myeloma or MGUS from progressing to active myeloma? Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD wonders why we are waiting until progression to treat when we have newer non-toxic therapies to use. Dr. Ghobrial shares her Prevention of Progression Clinic's efforts to keep myeloma at bay.
Gift funds precursor condition research for blood cancers
Spring 2016 - A generous gift from anonymous donors may give new hope to those diagnosed with “precursor conditions,” conditions that, although not yet cancerous, may develop into blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. Impact, Volume 19, Issue 2.
The Latest Research in Multiple Myeloma, Leukemia, and Other Blood Cancers
February, 10, 2016 - The last two years have been very exciting for blood cancer research; many new targeted therapies and immunotherapies are improving treatment outcomes for patients with lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma.
Irene Ghobrial, MD explains Dana-Farber's CPOP
January 15, 2016 - Irene Ghobrial, MD, explains the strategy and need for Dana-Farber’s Center for the Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers -- a research initiative focused on understanding the progression and evolution of blood cancers, with an aim to develop targeted medicines that will leading to early interventions that can eliminate blood cancers.
Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers
The Center for Prevention of Progression of Blood Cancers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, under the direction of Irene Ghobrial, MD, is the first in the nation - leading research and clinical efforts to halt the progression of precancerous conditions before they develop into blood cancers.
Irene Ghobrial, MD, International Myeloma Foundation 2016 Senior Grant Award recipient
Irene Ghobrial, MD, from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, has been awarded the Brian D. Novis Senior Grant to continue her work in blood biomarkers for clonal progression in multiple myeloma.
Irene Ghobrial, MD, was invited to participate in a panel of Clinical Investigators at ASH 2015
Clinical Investigators provided their perspectives on challenging issues and ongoing research in the management of multiple myeloma. Five general hematologic oncologists identified patient scenarios, management concerns, and available data sets that pose the greatest challenge to their clinical decision making. Utilizing this information as the basis for the agenda, the distinguished panel of myeloma experts employed didactic presentations, audience polling featuring networked table devices, and panel discussion that provided perspectives on new and emerging research and addressed the real-world concerns voiced by the group.
2015 ASH Abstract Achievement Award Recipients
Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD, Salomon Manier, MD, and Yawara Kawano, MD, PhD were recognized with the 2015 ASH Abstract Achievement Award.
Aldo Roccaro New Young ISSNAF Co-Coordinator
Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD, senior scientist at Harvard, will be Young ISSNAF's Co-Coordinator. Aldo is the recipient of the 2015 Paola Campese Award on Research on Leukemia and had a special mention in 2013 for the same Award.
Irene Ghobrial, MD, invited speaker at MHM, discusses how she treats smoldering myeloma
September 18, 2015 - Dr. Irene Ghobrial will reviews 1) the current knowledge of smoldering myeloma and risk factors associated with progression, as well as biological insights and alterations that occur in the tumor clone and the surrounding bone marrow niche, 2) clinical trials that have been performed in these patients and 3) recommendations for follow-up of patients with this unique disease entity.
Cure Forward launches website to connect cancer patients with clinical trials
September 22, 2015 - The Boston Globe: Cure Forward, a web service that seeks to connect cancer patients with clinical trials, opened its service to patients and physicians for the first time on Tuesday. Irene Ghobrial, associate professor of medicine at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is quoted.
The New Paradigm: Should we treat precursor conditions for blood cancer?
July, 2015 - Dr. Ghobrial is the Doctor on Call in the July IWMF Newsletter Torch. See page 5.
Keeping cells from supporting tumors
Summer 2015 - Dr. Ghobrial and other scientists are exploring different aspects of the tumor microenvironment – the molecules, cells, and blood vessels that surround and support a tumor.
Inside the Institute: Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD receives International Award
Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD, has received the 2015 "Francesco De Luca"International Prize for cancer research from the Accademia dei Lincei,"in a ceremony in Rome attended by the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.
Facebook is a friend to those suffering rare maladies
May 25, 2015 - Dr. Irene Ghobrial of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston has recruited 200 patients, including those with an early precursor to multiple myeloma, to participate in a clinical trial after mentioning the test on Twitter and Facebook.
Myeloma Survival Blogpost
February 17, 2015 - "Dr. Irene Ghobrial of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute was on the Feb 12th Cure Panel and her broadcast was exceptional, however I want to talk of one MAJOR takeaway I had from the program. Her point was simple, straight forward, logical, and impossible to argue against that Multiple Myeloma is the only cancer where we wait for it to metastasize and show organ, bone damage, or anemia before we begin treatment."
Curetalks Broadcast: Early treatment of Myeloma with Dr. Irene Ghobrial
Listen to Dr. Ghobrial as she discusses new strategies to help MGUS and smoldering patients. In contrast to the watch and wait approach practiced by doctors for patients where disease progression is not easily discernible, this new approach to understand the patients' condition and treat early may prove to be life saving. Curetalks site and blogtalkradio site
Irene Ghobrial Receives Mentoring Award
This year's postdoc and graduate student retreat concluded with the announcement that Irene Ghobrial, MD, of Medical Oncology is the recipient of the 2014 Mentor of the Year Award. In announcing the award, Chief Scientific Officer Barrett Rollins, MD, PhD, recalled that when Ghobrial arrived at the Institute, "she was incredibly hungry to begin her research into B cell malignancies," and she brings the same energy to working with students in her lab. "When her fellows and postdocs give research presentations, she knows how to ask the right questions, she knows how to be supportive, and knows how to draw out her mentees."
2014 American Society of Hematology (ASH) Highlights, San Francisco
As leaders in blood and cancer research, physicians and scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center showcased their advances in this field at the 56th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) in San Francisco, California, December 6-9, 2014.
Preventing Disease Progression from MGUS and Smoldering Myeloma with Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
November 4, 2014 - Dr. Irene Ghobrial, MD, of the Dana-Farber Cancer Center shares several new compounds that make the bone marrow microenvironment unfriendly to myeloma cells so they can’t attach to bone, preventing painful bone damage.
Inside the Institute: New clinic sets sights on precursors of blood cancers
November 4, 2014 - The Blood Cancer Prevention of Progression Clinic (BCPC) created by DF/BWCC clinicians and researchers aims to drive a new understanding of blood cancer precursors.
Saint Francis Partners With Dana-Farber For Clinical Trials
October 24, 2014The relationship with Saint Francis starts immediately, building on other relationships that were started with other hospitals two years ago, said Dr. Irene Ghobrial, a medical oncologist and co-director of the Blood Cancer Research Program.
Insight: New Clinic Focuses on Why Some Conditions Become Cancer While Others Don't
October 22, 2014 - Thousands of people learn each year – usually after a routine blood test – that they have a condition that may develop into a blood cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
Protecting the Fortress: Preventing Metastasis by Neutralizing Niche Homing
October 8, 2014 - Metastasis is a critical step in tumor malignancy, yet therapies generally are not designed to target this process. The bone marrow is a target organ to which metastatic tumor cells are attracted by a variety of signals, including stromal-cell–derived factor 1 (SDF-1). Roccaro and colleagues have now developed a high-affinity PEGylated Spiegelmer (artificial l-oligonucleotide) that targets SDF-1 and attenuates cancer cell homing and metastasis to the bone marrow in a multiple myeloma mouse model.
Novel compound prevents metastasis of multiple myeloma in mouse studies
October 7, 2014 - In a striking advance against the problem of cancer metastasis, Dana-Farber scientists have shown that a specially developed compound can impede multiple myeloma from spreading to the bones in mice.
Paper Highlight on Cell Therapy News
October 6, 2014 - Aldo Roccaro, MD, PhD's paper titled SDF-1 Inhibition Targets the Bone Marrow Niche for Cancer Therapy was recently highlighted in Cell Therapy News. Congratulations Aldo!
Novel compound prevents metastasis of Multiple Myeloma in mouse studies
September 25, 2014 - Dana-Farber scientists show, in mice, that a specially developed compound can impede the spread of Multiple Myeloma to the bones
Inside the Institute: Nanoparticles deliver drugs to fight bone cancer
July 29, 2014 - Dr. Ghobrial and Dr. Reagan are studying a delivery system using nanoparticles that target bone cancer cells and release a drug to slow the progress of Multiple Myeloma.
Scientists Engineer Nanoparticles to Prevent Bone Cancer, Strengthen Bones
June 30, 2014 - A research collaboration between Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and has utilized nanomedicine technologies to develop a drug-delivery system that can precisely target and attack cancer cells in the bone, as well as increase bone strength and volume to prevent bone cancer progression. Read the PNAS full article here.
Blood Cancer Research Project (BCRP)
Blood Cancer Research Partnership’s (BCRP) mission is to provide innovative clinical trials to patients closer to their home. BCRP’s main objective is to bring the novel trials to the patients across the country.
Blood Cancer Prevention of Progression Clinic (BCPC)
The Blood Cancer Prevention of Progression Clinic (BCPC) is a research initiative focused on understanding the progression and clonal evolution of blood cancers, with an ultimate aim to develop targeted therapeutic agents that can eliminate the early clones of disease.
On the cover of "Blood": Investigating osteogenic differentiation in multiple myeloma using a novel 3D bone marrow niche model
February 24, 2014 - Clonal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow (BM) affects local cells, such as mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), leading to osteolysis and fatality in multiple myeloma (MM). Consequently, there is an urgent need to find better mechanisms of inhibiting myeloma growth and osteolytic lesion development.
The Hematologist: Similar Dreams, Different Journeys
November 1, 2011 - As the 10-year anniversary of the Clinical Research Training Institute approaches, ASH highlights two early participants. Dr. Ghobrial participated in 2003 (the inaugural year), and Dr. Blum participated in 2004.
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© 2023 Ghobrial Lab at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute