Hematology oncologist Green joins Clinical Research faculty

Dr. Damian Green has joined the Clinical Research Division faculty as a researcher in the Press Lab with a focus on multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Green and colleagues are developing a new approach that directly targets multiple myeloma tumor cells with small radioactive particles to selectively destroy them. They have identified ways to induce the myeloma cells to increase the number of markers on their surface, with the hope of using this technique to further improve therapy delivery. They are also exploring other immunotherapy-based approaches to targeting multiple myeloma cells. Green is the principal investigator of a clinical trial designed to evaluate a new method for collecting stem cells prior to stem cell transplant for patients with either multiple myeloma or lymphoma.

"I am driven by the prospect of bringing discovery from the laboratory to patients as fast as possible," Green said.

Additionally, he sees multiple myeloma and lymphoma patients weekly at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and annually spends one month running one of the stem cell transplant services.

Green has been working at the Hutchinson Center since 2004 as a postdoctoral fellow in medical oncology. He completed his medical training at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Green also did his internal medicine internship and residency at Ohio State.

"During my fellowship, I had the tremendous good fortune to work under Dr. Oliver Press, an exceptionally skilled mentor and translational research scientist who is internationally recognized as an expert in lymphoma and is a pioneer in radioimmunotherapy," Green said. "He has trained and guided me on a successful path towards career independence.

"I chose to stay at the Center because it is populated by a uniquely skilled cadre of scientists and clinicians committed to improving the lives of cancer patients and because the research environment and resources are outstanding. I believe that there is no better place to pursue my research."

"Damian is an outstanding addition to our faculty," Press said. "He combines superlative, empathetic patient care skills with impressive research skills."