Uma Borate, MBBS

I am a hematologist specializing in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and clonal cytopenias of unknown significance. I received my Master of Science in pathobiology and molecular medicine from the University of Cincinnati, and completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Alabama.

As a member of the Leukemia Research Program at the OSUCCC – James, my clinical and translational research focus is on novel therapeutics in myeloid diseases, with a special focus in disease progression from cytopenia and early-stage MDS to AML. I am the principal investigator for numerous investigator-initiated clinical trials based on laboratory science, including a promising study that looks at the novel combination of targeted therapies for myeloid malignancies. I am also the national lead and site investigator for several early-phase, industry-supported MDS and AML studies in both upfront and relapsed/refractory disease. My work has appeared in such peer-reviewed publications as Nature Medicine, Oncotarget, Blood Advances and Leukemia.

I have pioneered a myeloid malignancy predisposition clinic focusing on clinical care and research in patients at high risk for myeloid malignancies due to predisposing hereditary germline mutations as well as acquired mutations resulting in clonal cytopenias. This clinic works closely with genetic counselors to provide the best evidenced-based care for this high-risk patient population. I am also involved in developing several protocols for the NCI cooperative groups in MDS and AML, and the recently created MPN group.

In addition to my clinical and research work, I serve as an associate professor in the Division of Hematology at The Ohio State University and as the disease group leader for the MDS and MPN clinical trial disease group. I am also a member of several professional organizations, including the Southwest Oncology Group, the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Association for Cancer Research.

I feel privileged to be involved in the care of my patients and be a partner in their fight against their disease. Whether it’s through groundbreaking research or cutting-edge clinical treatments, I believe that we all deliver better care when we work together as a team, and this philosophy aligns with the patient care teams and laboratory scientists at The James as we all strive toward the shared goal of creating a cancer-free world.