Dr. Nelson J. Chao

As a physician and scientist, my ultimate goal is to translate research findings from bench to beside to improve patient care. I focus my research and clinical work on treating blood and bone marrow cancers. Most of the patients in my clinic are blood and bone marrow transplant patients and patients with plasma cell diseases such as multiple myeloma, amyloidosis, POEMS syndrome, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. The research interests in my lab are on the development of new approaches to enhance hematopoietic stem cell engraftment and reconstitution following blood and bone marrow transplant. Dr. Kang is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Plasmacytoma. His top areas of expertise are Multiple Myeloma, Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM), Schnitzler Syndrome, Bone Marrow Aspiration, and Bone Graft.

Since studying basic immunology prior to beginning my clinical training, I have been deeply interested in applying immunological perspective for the treatment of cancers including hematologic malignancies. Interestingly emerging immunotherapies showed very promising results in recent years. In my clinic, I treat patients with multiple myeloma which is one type of cancer arising from plasma cells. My research will focus on developing early phase clinical protocols utilizing novel cellular therapy approach and also improving the outcomes of blood and marrow transplantation. My ultimate goal is to provide better treatment options than the current standard approach to patients. Dr. Choi is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Plasmacytoma. His top areas of expertise are Multiple Myeloma, Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Bone Marrow Aspiration.

The Division of Cellular Therapy does bone marrow transplants and stem cell transplants for patients with different types of blood cancers. Specifically, I see patients with multiple myeloma or other plasma cell issues like amyloidosis. Many of the cases in my clinic are difficult. So I spend a lot of time talking with my patients, explaining the disease when they come as new patients and talking about the complexity of the disease, because it’s important that they understand what to ask their physicians here at Duke and at home. There’s no standard treatment for myeloma. We have different options – continuation of therapy, immediate transplant or transplant later. I like to explain to patients why I favor a certain treatment approach and why I think it would be the best approach for them. Dr. Gasparetto is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Plasmacytoma. Her top areas of expertise are Multiple Myeloma, Smoldering Multiple Myeloma, Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM), Bone Marrow Transplant, and Colonoscopy.