Nikoletta Lendvai, MD, PhD

Nikoletta Lendvai, MD, PhD

I am a hematologist with a special interest in the treatment of multiple myeloma and immunotherapy. My clinical research focuses on combining current treatments for myeloma (including those now in clinical trials) with immunotherapy. This makes sense because our current treatments and those treatments that are now in clinical trials often wipe out most or all measurable disease, but any residual disease can lead to relapse. The goal of immunotherapy is to target this residual disease and eliminate it, preventing relapse.

Cancer-Testis antigens are a group of proteins that are normally found only on cells in the developing testis and placenta, these sites are protected from attack by the immune system. The vast majority of patients with myeloma have been found to have these proteins on their myeloma cells, making these proteins an excellent target for immunotherapy.

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MAGE-A3 is a cancer-testis antigen that has been found to be present on the myeloma cells of about a third of all patients at diagnosis and two thirds of patients at time of relapse. A MAGE-A3 protein vaccine has been tested in patients with lung cancer and melanoma. I am currently collaborating with colleagues at NYU and Fox Chase Cancer Center on a clinical trial of MAGE-A3 vaccination following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant.

In collaboration with my colleagues at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, I am also working to identify other cancer-testis antigens that may be suitable targets of immunotherapy either alone or in combination with the MAGE-A3 vaccine.

Location

New York City

Appointments for New Patients

646-497-9062

Phone

212-639-3368

Clinical Expertise

Multiple Myeloma

Languages Spoken

English

Education

MD, PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Residencies

University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Fellowships

NYU Langone Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital

Board Certifications

Internal Medicine; Hematology

Clinical Trials Led by Nikoletta Lendvai

A Pilot Study of MAGE-A3 Vaccination as Consolidation Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

See My Colleagues in:

Publications by Nikoletta Lendvai

Siegel DS, McBride L, Bilotti E, Lendvai N, Gonsky J, Berges T, Schillen D, McNeill A, Schmidt L, and van Hoeven K. Inaccuracies in 24-Hour Urine Testing for Monoclonal Gammopathies. Serum Free Light Chain Analysis Provides a More Accurate Measure of Light Chain Burden Than Urine Protein Electrophoresis. Labmedicine. 2009 Jun: 40 (6): 341-344.

Visit PubMed for full listing of Nikoletta Lendvai journal articles

Pubmed is an online index of biomedical articles maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

analysis (uh-NA-lih-sis)

A process in which anything complex is separated into simple or less complex parts.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

antigen (AN-tih-jen)

Any substance that causes the body to make a specific immune response.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

autologous (aw-TAH-luh-gus)

Taken from an individual's own tissues, cells, or DNA.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cell (sel)

The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)

Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

clinical trial (KLIH-nih-kul TRY-ul)

A type of research study that tests how well new medical approaches work in people. These studies test new methods of screening, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a disease. Also called clinical study.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

diagnosis (DY-ug-NOH-sis)

The process of identifying a disease, such as cancer, from its signs and symptoms.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

electrophoresis (eh-LEK-troh-fuh-REE-sis)

A laboratory technique that uses an electric current to separate substances, such as proteins or nucleic acids. The size and electrical charge (either positive or negative) of a substance determines how far it moves with the current. Electrophoresis may be used to help diagnosis certain diseases. There are many different types of electrophoresis.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

hematologist (HEE-muh-TAH-loh-jist)

A doctor who specializes in treating blood disorders.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immune system (ih-MYOON SIS-tem)

The complex group of organs and cells that defends the body against infections and other diseases.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

immunotherapy (IH-myoo-noh-THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment to boost or restore the ability of the immune system to fight cancer, infections, and other diseases. Also used to lessen certain side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Agents used in immunotherapy include monoclonal antibodies, growth factors, and vaccines. These agents may also have a direct antitumor effect. Also called biological response modifier therapy, biological therapy, biotherapy, and BRM therapy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

L

A measure of volume for a liquid, using the metric system. One L is equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (cc), 1,000 milliliters (mm), or 1.0567 quarts (qt). Also called liter.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

lung (lung)

One of a pair of organs in the chest that supplies the body with oxygen, and removes carbon dioxide from the body.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

measurable disease (MEH-zur-uh-bul dih-ZEEZ)

A tumor that can be accurately measured in size. This information can be used to judge response to treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

melanoma (MEH-luh-NOH-muh)

A form of cancer that begins in melanocytes (cells that make the pigment melanin). It may begin in a mole (skin melanoma), but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

multiple myeloma (MUL-tih-pul MY-eh-LOH-muh)

A type of cancer that begins in plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). Also called Kahler disease, myelomatosis, and plasma cell myeloma.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

myeloma (MY-eh-LOH-muh)

Cancer that arises in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

National Institutes of Health (NA-shuh-nul IN-stih-TOOTS … helth)

A federal agency in the U.S. that conducts biomedical research in its own laboratories; supports the research of non-Federal scientists in universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country and abroad; helps in the training of research investigators; and fosters communication of medical information. Access the National Institutes of Health Web site at . Also called NIH.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

placenta (pluh-SEN-tuh)

The organ that nourishes the developing fetus in the uterus.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

protein (PROH-teen)

A molecule made up of amino acids that are needed for the body to function properly. Proteins are the basis of body structures such as skin and hair and of substances such as enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

relapse (REE-laps)

The return of a disease or the signs and symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

residual disease (ree-ZID-yoo-ul dih-ZEEZ)

Cancer cells that remain after attempts to remove the cancer have been made.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

serum (SEER-um)

The clear liquid part of the blood that remains after blood cells and clotting proteins have been removed.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

testis (TES-tis)

One of two egg-shaped glands inside the scrotum that produce sperm and male hormones. Also called testicle.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

urine (YOOR-in)

Fluid containing water and waste products. Urine is made by the kidneys, stored in the bladder, and leaves the body through the urethra.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

vaccination (VAK-sih-NAY-shun)

Treatment with a vaccine.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

vaccine (vak-SEEN)

A substance or group of substances meant to cause the immune system to respond to a tumor or to microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. A vaccine can help the body recognize and destroy cancer cells or microorganisms.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)