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Raymond L. Comenzo
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Raymond L. Comenzo Medical Director, Cytotherapy Laboratory
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For the past 15 years, I have been investigating the use of peripheral blood stem cells for the treatment of multiple myeloma and primary systemic (AL) amyloidosis, a related disease. The focus has been on understanding the mechanisms of disease and on developing effective treatments. In addition, our group has developed new treatment strategies for patients newly diagnosed with multiple myeloma or AL amyloidosis. We have focused on incorporating new medicines, such as thalidomide, into initial therapy, with an emphasis on patient safety and tolerance. Using molecular genetic techniques, we have also developed novel tools for studying minimal disease in myeloma patients and in their stem cells. Currently, as part of a select group of transplant centers, we are investigating the effectiveness of stem cell transplants for the treatment of myeloma.
AL amyloidosis is a rare protein conformation disorder and clonal plasma cell disease. As part of my research, I have focused on understanding the unique features of the plasma cells and the fragments of antibodies that they make (called immunoglobulin light chains or light chains for short). We have identified a series of light chain genes that cause the majority of cases of AL amyloidosis, and we are now investigating the unusual character of the proteins they encode. In a clinical trial for patients with AL amyloidosis, we are investigating the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation. We are also using additional medicines (thalidomide and dexamethasone) for patients who still have small amounts of plasma cell disease present three months after their stem cell transplant. In this trial, we take full advantage of the latest tests for AL amyloidosis, including the serum-free light chain assay and the newest tests for heart involvement (troponin and BNP, or brain natriuretic peptide). Our clinical efforts in myeloma and amyloidosis benefit from the many consultants who help care for our patients. We are fortunate to have experts in surgical oncology, cardiology, nephrology, pathology, and laboratory medicine working with us.
In addition to these interests, I am also the medical director of the cytotherapy laboratory in the Department of Clinical Laboratories, where I work with many colleagues using various forms of cell-based therapies and transplants. We have a new laboratory and cryopreservation facility designed to accommodate the products collected from and for the 300 stem cell transplant patients we treat here annually. We are also fortunate to have experts in transfusion medicine, cell selection and manipulation, and flow cytometry involved in this important work.
Phone
212-639-8086
Education
MD, Boston University School of Medicine
Residencies
Boston City Hospital
Fellowships
New England Medical Center
Board Certifications
Internal Medicine; Hematology; Medical
Oncology; Blood Banking/Transfusion
Medicine
Clinical Expertise
Hematology; Stem Cell Transplantation;
Multiple Myeloma; Amyloidosis; Transfusion
Medicine; Stem Cell Lab Processing
Department & Service
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