
Olcay Batuman, MD
SUNY Downstate Medical Center
"Endothelial progenitor cells and multiple myeloma: prognosis and treatment"
An increase in blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) promotes progression of multiple myeloma. We recently identified increased numbers of immature blood vessel cells which display an unexpected degree of genetic uniformity (clonality) similar to neoplastic MM cells, in circulating blood of patients. We will utilize this finding in a manner that can be translated to an effective clinical application to growth inhibition of tumor cells as well as vascular cells to achieve a more effective and longer lasting remission and to ultimately cure this disease.