ASH News Daily 2017 - Issue 2 - B-22

Page B-22

ASH News Daily

Sunday, December 10, 2017

career-enhancement
awardS

ASH Scholars
«« From Page B-16

environment on the growth and
progression of acute myelogenous
leukemia (AML). She graduated
from the University of Delhi, with
a Bachelor's and
a Master's degree. She carried
out her doctoral
studies in Dr.
Sudhir Krishna's
laboratory at the
National Center
for Biological Sciences, a premier research institute
in India. While pursuing her PhD,
she identified and characterized the
cancer stem cell population in cervical cancers and defined the role of
Notch signaling in sustaining these
cells. Dr. Bajaj subsequently joined
Dr. Tannishtha Reya's lab at UCSD
for her postdoctoral studies where
she focused on the importance of
cell-extrinsic signaling on aggressive leukemic growth. She successfully defined the role of adhesive
signaling molecules (e.g., Tspan3
and CD98) and microenvironmental interactions on the initiation and
propagation of aggressive AML.
The ASH Scholar Award will enable
her to determine if targeting adhesive signals (such as those mediated
by CD98) can delay the progression
of AML from early myeloid malignancies and if it can synergize with
standard chemotherapy to improve
outcomes for therapy resistant
AML.
Tae Kon Kim, MD, PhD
Dr. Kim is an instructor at Yale
Cancer Center, specializing in the
research of immune evasion in
myeloid
leukemia. He earned
an MD from Seoul
National
University, where he
undertook his internship. He spent
two years as a
visiting
scholar
researching STAT3/5 biology in
myeloid leukemia with the late Dr.
Alan Gewirtz and Dr. Martin Carroll at the University of Pennsylvania. This was followed by pursuit of
a PhD in human T cell immunology
at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He completed his internal medicine residency
at University of Miami Jackson Memorial Hospital, followed by a he-

matology/oncology fellowship at
Yale University. During fellowship,
Dr. Kim joined the laboratory of Dr.
Lieping Chen, where he has been
investigating the mechanism of immune evasion in AML. The projects
include 1) identifying the role of an
epigenetic modifier to enhance the
immunogenicity of AML, 2) investigating the role of PD-1H (VISTA)
on immune evasion in AML, and 3)
targeting PD-1H (VISTA) to induce
antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Dr. Kim is honored to have been chosen to receive
the ASH Scholar Award, which will
support him as he establishes his

career as an independent clinician
scientist.
Kellie Machlus, PhD
Dr. Machlus is an instructor
of medicine at Harvard Medical
School and Brigham and Women's
Hospital. Dr. Machlus's laboratory
focuses on understanding both the
mechanism of proplatelet initiation/
formation from their precursor cells,
megakaryocytes, and also the hemostatic qualities of the platelets being
released. She completed her PhD in
2006 with Dr. Alisa Wolberg at the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she investigated rela-

tionships between
procoagulant plasma proteins, platelet activity, and
thrombus formation. Of note, she
found that elevated plasma fibrinogen is a causative
agent in both venous and arterial thrombosis. Dr.
Machlus then did her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Joseph
Italiano at Harvard; the major focus of her research was to identify
»» ASH SCHOLARS Page B-23

NOW APPROVED FOR THE TREATMENT OF
CD33-POSITIVE ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA (AML) IN
NEWLY DIAGNOSED AND RELAPSED/REFRACTORY PATIENTS1
TM

MYLOTARG™ (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) is indicated for the treatment of:
u Newly diagnosed CD33-positive AML in adults
u Relapsed/refractory CD33-positive AML in adults and pediatric patients
2 years and older
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: Hepatotoxicity, including severe or fatal hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD), also
known as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), has been reported in association with the use
of MYLOTARG as a single agent, and as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen. Monitor
frequently for signs and symptoms of VOD after treatment with MYLOTARG.
Hepatotoxicity, Including Veno-occlusive Liver Disease (VOD): An increased risk of VOD was
observed in patients with moderate/severe hepatic impairment and patients who received
MYLOTARG either before or after HSCT. Assess ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase
prior to each dose of MYLOTARG. After treatment with MYLOTARG, monitor frequently for signs
and symptoms of VOD; these may include elevations in ALT, AST, and total bilirubin, hepatomegaly,
rapid weight gain, and ascites. Monitoring only total bilirubin may not identify all patients at risk
of VOD. For patients who develop abnormal liver tests, more frequent monitoring of liver tests
and clinical signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity is recommended. For patients who proceed to
HSCT, monitor liver tests frequently during the post-HSCT period, as appropriate. Manage signs
or symptoms of hepatic toxicity by dose interruption or discontinuation of MYLOTARG. In patients
who experience VOD, discontinue MYLOTARG and treat according to standard medical practice.
Infusion-Related Reactions (Including Anaphylaxis): Life-threatening or fatal infusion-related
reactions can occur during or within 24 hours following infusion of MYLOTARG. Signs and
symptoms of infusion-related reactions may include fever, chills, hypotension, tachycardia,
hypoxia, and respiratory failure. Premedicate prior to MYLOTARG infusion. Monitor vital signs
frequently during infusion. Interrupt infusion immediately for patients who develop evidence of
infusion reaction, especially dyspnea, bronchospasm, or hypotension. Monitor patients during and
for at least 1 hour after the end of the infusion or until signs and symptoms completely resolve.
Discontinue use of MYLOTARG in patients who develop signs or symptoms of anaphylaxis,
including severe respiratory symptoms or clinically significant hypotension.
Hemorrhage: MYLOTARG is myelosuppressive and can cause fatal or life-threatening hemorrhage
due to prolonged thrombocytopenia. Assess blood counts prior to each dose of MYLOTARG and
monitor blood counts frequently after treatment with MYLOTARG until resolution of cytopenias.
Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of bleeding during treatment with MYLOTARG. Manage
severe bleeding, hemorrhage, or persistent thrombocytopenia using dose delay or permanent
discontinuation of MYLOTARG, and provide supportive care per standard practice.

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASH News Daily 2017 - Issue 2