Paul G. Richardson

Biography

  After comprehensive training and certification in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology, as well as then acquiring additional expertise in Cancer Pharmacology and transplant at Dana Farber Cancer Institute from 1994 onwards, I joined the Division of Hematologic Oncology and the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center in December 1999. I was appointed Clinical Director of the Myeloma Center in January 2001 and have since led several novel, biologically-derived translational efforts in multiple myeloma under the overall direction and mentorship of Kenneth Anderson, M.D. These have been focused in the clinical study of new drugs in the Phase 1, 2 and 3 settings as principal investigator and first author of derived manuscripts; specifically thalidomide, the thalidomide analog lenalidomide [Revlimid], and the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib [Velcade]. Subsequent studies have focused on other novel agents including 2- methoxy estradiol [also known as 2-ME2], histone deacelytase inhibitors (including SAHA, also known as vorinostat) and the HSP-90 inhibitor,17-AAG, also known as tanespimicin, as well as other small molecules, including perifosine and the second generation proteasome inhibitors, NPI 0052 and MLNM 9708, as well as the newest immunomodulatory agent, pomalidomide . My most recent translational clinical innovation has been the combination of lenalidomide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (also known as RVD) first combined in our phase I trial in relapsed disease and now established in the upfront setting as a potential landmark regimen, which is currently under investigation in several multicenter phase III studies. My senior investigator role in the VISTA trial comparing bortezomib in combination with melphalan and prednisone versus melphalan and prednisone alone as part of an international team has proven to be especially productive, as this has been a highly successful study establishing bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone as a new treatment standard in patients not eligible for stem cell transplant. 

Research Interest

  Multiple myeloma, Stem cell transplantation, Regimen-related toxicity, Experimental therapeutics and cancer pharmacology, Non-myeloid injury including VOD and mucocytis in bone marrow transplantation