Amy Elizabeth DeZern, M.D., M.H.S.

Headshot of Amy Elizabeth DeZern
  • Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program
  • Professor of Oncology
Female

Expertise

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Aplastic Anemia, Bone Marrow Failure, Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria ...read more

Research Interests

Bone Marrow Failure Disorders; Bone Marrow Transplantation in Patients with Severe Aplastic Anemia; Novel Therapeutics for Myelodysplastic Syndromes ...read more

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Insurance Information

Main Phone

Outside of Maryland & Washington D.C.

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Locations

Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center

Appointment Phone: 410-955-8964
401 N. Broadway
Baltimore, MD 21231
Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center - Google Maps

Background

Dr. DeZern is a Professor of Oncology and Medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.  She is active in the Division of Hematology Malignancies, Leukemia Program at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.

Dr. DeZern has expertise in aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, acute myeloid leukemia, and bone marrow transplantation.

Dr. DeZern received her medical degree at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed a residency in internal medicine at Johns Hopkins, followed by fellowships in medical oncology and hematology, as well as obtained a Masters in Clinical Investigations at the Bloomberg School of Pubic health.

Dr. DeZern is a member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy.

Dr. DeZern’s principle research activities consist of designing and conducting clinical trials that test investigational new therapies and approaches in the treatment of bone marrow failure (aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes). She has specific expertise in the use of alternative donor bone marrow transplantation in patients with severe aplastic anemia and trials of novel therapeutics for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.  Additionally, she has taken a rigorous approach to the study of diagnostics and supportive case (such as transfusion practices) in these patient populations.  She is or has been the Principal Investigator for a number of multicenter trials in collaboration with the MDS Clinical Research Consortium, the Eastern Co-operative Oncology Group (ECOG)-ACRIN and now the Bone Marrow Trials Clinical Trials Network (BMTCTN).   She is the Study Chair for the multi-site BMTCTN study (CHAMP) investigating the role of haploidentical donor transplantation using post-transplantation cyclophosphamide in patients with relapsed several aplastic anemia. Dr. DeZern is the local PI as well as the Deputy Chair for The National MDS Study, a collaborative natural history study of the NHLBI and the NCI.  As a clinical investigator with a focus on translation of novel treatments to the clinic, Dr. DeZern’s goal is to improve outcomes for patients with bone marrow failure at the bedside and in her research environment. 

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Titles

  • Director, Bone Marrow Failure and MDS Program
  • Professor of Oncology
  • Professor of Medicine

Departments / Divisions

Centers & Institutes

Education

Degrees

  • MD; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2005)

Residencies

  • Internal Medicine; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2008)

Fellowships

  • Hematology and Oncology; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2009)
  • Oncology; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2012)

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Internal Medicine (Hematology) (2013)
  • American Board of Internal Medicine (Internal Medicine) (2008)

Research & Publications

Research Summary

Dr. DeZern’s research involves a series of clinical investigations related to diagnosis and treatment of   bone marrow failure (BMF).  Her work is demonstrably changing the standard of care for aplastic anemia and she is the leader of our myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) clinical trials program.  She is nationally recognized for her work in marrow failure, both aplastic anemia and MDS.  She has distinguished herself as a translator in several novel areas of clinical investigation. She has demonstrated the role of specialized testing to distinguish cellular marrow failure disorders as well genetic evaluations for patients with both inherited and acquired BMF.  She also sees patients with cytopenias that may be precursor states to MDS.  Dr. DeZern has pioneered a novel treatment approach for relapsed and refractory severe aplastic anemia as well brought haploidentical transplantation to the forefront of therapy for all aplastic anemia patients.  Additionally, she has lead several efforts and clinical trials at Hopkins which have resulted in recent approvals of novel therapies for those with MDS. Her ability to develop and translate new biologic insights into the clinical arena has made her a most sought-after clinician for patients and a clinical collaborator for those in research.

Clinical Trial Keywords

Aplastic Anemia; PNH; MDS; Acute Leukemias, Myeloid Disorders; Bone marrow transplant; Bone Marrow Malignancies

Selected Publications

View all on PubMed

DeZern AE, Zahurak ML, Symons HJ, Cooke KR, Rosner GL, Gladstone DE, Huff CA, Swinnen LJ, Imus P, Borrello I, Wagner-Johnston N, Ambinder RF, Luznik L, Bolaños-Meade J, Fuchs EJ, Jones RJ, Brodsky RA. Haploidentical BMT for severe aplastic anemia with intensive GVHD prophylaxis including posttransplant cyclophosphamide. Blood Adv. 2020 Apr 28;4(8):1770-1779. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001729.

Dalton WB, Helmenstine E, Pieterse L, Li B, Gocke CD, Donaldson J, Xiao Z, Gondek LP, Ghiaur G, Gojo I, Smith BD, Levis MJ, DeZern AE. The K666N mutation in SF3B1 is associated with increased progression of MDS and distinct RNA splicing. Blood Adv. 2020 Apr 14;4(7):1192-1196. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001127. No abstract available.

Gondek LP, DeZern AE. Assessing clonal haematopoiesis: clinical burdens and benefits of diagnosing myelodysplastic syndrome precursor states. Lancet Haematol. 2020 Jan;7(1):e73-e81. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(19)30211-X. Epub 2019 Dec 3. Review.

Schratz KE, DeZern AE. Genetic Predisposition to Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Clinical Practice. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2020 Apr;34(2):333-356. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2019.10.002. Epub 2020 Jan 6. Review.

DeZern AE, Zahurak M, Symons H, Cooke K, Jones RJ, Brodsky RA. Alternative Donor Transplantation with High-Dose Post-Transplantation Cyclophosphamide for Refractory Severe Aplastic Anemia. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2017 Mar;23(3):498-504. doi: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2016.12.628. Epub 2016 Dec 21.

Contact for Research Inquiries

1650 Orleans Street
CRB 1 Room 3M87
Baltimore, MD 21287 map
Phone: 410-502-7208

Activities & Honors

Honors

  • Assistant Chief of Service, Osler Medical Service, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 2009 - 2010
  • Director’s Teaching Award, Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, 2013 - 2020
  • Emerging Women’s Leadership Program, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - 2014
  • NCI Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award - 2018
  • Deputy Chair, The National MDS Study, NHLBI, 2020

Memberships

  • American Society of Hematology, 2008

    Member

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2008

    Member

  • American Board of Internal Medicine, 2009

    Member

  • American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2017

    Member

Professional Activities

  • Medical Advisory Board, AA-MDS International Foundation, 2013
  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network MDS Guidelines committee, 2013
  • AAMDSIF Patient Education Council, 2015
  • Scientific Advisory Board for MDS Research Fund of Dresner Foundation, 2016
  • Scientific Advisory Board of the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund (FARF), 2018
  • Faculty Senate, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 2018
  • Contributing Editor, The Hematologist, American Society of Hematology, 2019
  • Committee on Educational Affairs, American Society of Hematology, 2019
  • Scientific Committee on Bone Marrow Failure, American Society of Hematology, 2020
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