Ehsan Malek

MD
Medical Oncology

Cancers Treated:

Specializing In:

Plasma Cell Disorders Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) Smoldering Myeloma Amyloidosis Bone Marrow Transplantation Stem Cell Transplantation Immunotherapy

Research Interests:

Cancer immunotherapy Vaccines Cellular therapy Phase I trials CAR T-cells

About Ehsan Malek

Biography:

I am a dedicated oncologist specializing in the comprehensive care of patients afflicted with multiple myeloma and an array of plasma cell disorders. Plasma cells serve as the primary architect of the humoral immune system, making antibodies to protect us from infections. My clinical expertise extends to individuals with a diagnosis spanning the spectrum of plasma cell disorders, including multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), smoldering myeloma, and amyloidosis. I have a particular focus on those confronting complex or high-risk conditions.


A blood cancer diagnosis unquestionably alters a patient's life course. I am profoundly aware of my pivotal role as a reliable guide and steadfast companion on a patient's journey through cancer treatment. My unwavering passion is grounded in my transformative potential to effect positive change in the lives of those entrusted to my care. Throughout my extensive career, spanning more than 11 years dedicated to patients grappling with multiple myeloma and plasma cell disorders, my patients and their families have occupied a place of utmost importance in every clinical setting. These individuals are, and will forever remain, the central figures in any room where I make critical clinical decisions.

My foremost responsibility as a healthcare provider is to empower my patients with a profound understanding of their unique condition, assuage their concerns at every juncture of their treatment journey, and meticulously construct a tailored treatment plan that aligns seamlessly with their needs. This responsibility is one I shoulder with unwavering seriousness and commitment to excellence. I am steadfast in my dedication to ensuring that each patient is not only comforted by the expertise of their healthcare team but also enriched by the knowledge imparted to them.

In the ever-evolving landscape of oncology, recent breakthroughs in immunotherapy, a pioneering approach that harnesses the body's innate immune system to combat cancer cells, alongside innovative small molecule therapies, are instilling new hope in patients confronting multiple myeloma and various plasma cell disorders. As the Director of the Multiple Myeloma Translational Research Program at Roswell Park, I am invigorated by the prospects of developing novel cellular and immune-based therapeutic strategies that promise improved outcomes and an enhanced quality of life for my patients.

Furthermore, our research endeavors are directed toward the critical domain of minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, a cornerstone in shaping our treatment decisions. My focus extends to pioneering approaches for patients facing high-risk conditions and the establishment of precision methods for identifying individuals whose condition may progress from an early precursor state, warranting intervention, to an active disease state.

Beyond the clinic and laboratory confines, I am frequently engaged in intensive training for charitable races and endurance events. These pursuits serve a dual purpose, fueling my passion for athletic endeavors while directing vital funds toward the noble cause of cancer research, which resonates deeply with me.

Positions

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
  • Associate Professor of Oncology
  • Director of Multiple Myeloma Translational Research
  • Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo

  • Associate Professor of Medicine

Background

Education and Training:

  • 1997-2004 - MD - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Residency:

  • 2009-2011 - Internal Medicine Residency, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Fellowship:

  • 2012-2015 - Hematology Oncology Residency, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Board Certification:

  • Internal Medicine
  • Hematology

Professional Memberships:

  • International Myeloma Society
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Multiple Myeloma Committee
  • American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation
  • American Society of Hematology
  • American Society of Clinical Oncology
  • American College of Physicians
  • American Association for Cancer Research

Honors & Awards:

  • Certification in Artificial Intelligence in Health Care, MIT Management Executive Education
  • Certification in Clinical and Translational Research, University of Cincinnati
  • 2016-17, 2019-2021 - Oral Presentation, American Society of Hematology (ASH)
  • 2015-2019 - NCCN Guideline, Multiple Myeloma Committee
  • 2019 - Oral Presentation, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
  • 2015-2018 - K12 Physician Scientist Grant, National Institute of Health
  • 2015 - Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Merit Award
  • 2014 - Scholar-in-Training Award, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
  • 2014 - Young Investigator Travel Award, SOHO Annual Meeting
  • 2014 - AACR/ASCO Vail Workshop: Methods in Clinical Cancer Research

Clinical Trials


Publications

Full Publications list on PubMed

1. Chung, D. J., Shah, N., Wu, J., Logan, B., Bisharat, L., Callander, N., ... & Avigan, D. Randomized Trial of a Personalized Dendritic Cell Vaccine after Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma. Clinical cancer research: an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, CCR-23.

2. Malek, E., Hwang, S., Caimi, P. F., Metheny, L. L., Tomlinson, B. K., Cooper, B. W., ... & De Lima, M. J. (2021). Phase Ib trial of vactosertib in combination with pomalidomide in relapsed multiple myeloma: A corticosteroid-free approach by targeting TGF-β signaling pathway.

3. Chamoun, K., Firoozmand, A., Caimi, P., Fu, P., Cao, S., Otegbeye, F., ... & Malek, E. (2021). Socioeconomic factors and survival of multiple myeloma patients. Cancers, 13(4), 590.

4. Covut, F., Driscoll, J. J., Cooper, B., Gallogly, M., De Lima, M., & Malek, E. (2021). Racial and age-related disparities in early mortality affect the outcomes of multiple myeloma patients. Leukemia, 35(1), 250-254.

5. Anandan, A., Kolk, M., Ferrari, N., Copley, M., Driscoll, J., Caimi, P., ... & Malek, E. (2020). Serum electrolyte dynamics in multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nephrology, 25(6), 450-456.