Background
Dr. Dhodapkar is the scientific director for the Multiple Myeloma Program at Fred Hutch. He specializes in the care of patients with multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), AL amyloidosis, Waldenström macroglobulinemia and other plasma cell disorders. His clinical expertise includes the use of blood and marrow transplantation and immunotherapy, while tailoring treatment to the biology of each patient’s disease.
Dr. Dhodapkar leads a robust clinical/translational research program focused on developing new immune-based approaches to cancer treatment, including cell-based approaches. His work focuses on cancer immunology, including the biology of dendritic cells (immune cells that help direct the body’s immune response) and how the immune system interacts with multiple myeloma and related conditions. He conducted some of the earliest studies of adoptive dendritic cell transfer and methods to target these cells within the body.
His lab has made foundational contributions to the understanding of multiple myeloma and cancer immunology. Dr. Dhodapkar’s lab helped lead the first clinical studies that uncovered the anti-myeloma effects of thalidomide and played a key role in early national studies of precursor plasma cell disorders and AL amyloidosis. He co-led the first Phase 3 studies showing successful prevention of clinical multiple myeloma. Dr. Dhodapkar is also an elected member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation.
Through his combined clinical and research approach, Dr. Dhodapkar aims to harness the immune system to better prevent, control and treat plasma cell disorders, translating scientific discoveries into meaningful advances in patient care.
Area of Clinical Practice
Multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), AL amyloidosis, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, plasma cell disorders
