Dr. Becker is a pioneering leader in translational research and optimizing therapy of hematological malignancies. She is a highly respected clinician with expertise in
acute myeloid leukemia
acute myeloid leukemia:
(uh-KYOOT my-uh-LOYD loo-KEE-mee-uh) A cancer of the blood cells. It happens when very young white blood cells (blasts) in the bone marrow fail to mature. The blast cells stay in the bone marrow and become to numerous. This slows production of red blood cells and platelets. Some cases of MDS become…
, multiple myeloma,
bone marrow failure
bone marrow failure:
A condition that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough healthy blood cells. The most common of these rare diseases are aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). Bone marrow failure can be acquired (begin any time in life) or can be…
, including
aplastic anemia
aplastic anemia:
(ay-PLASS-tik uh-NEE_mee-uh) A rare and serious condition in which the bone marrow fails to make enough blood cells - red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The term aplastic is a Greek word meaning not to form. Anemia is a condition that happens when red blood cell count is low. Most…
,
myelodysplastic syndromes
myelodysplastic syndromes:
(my-eh-lo-diss-PLASS-tik SIN-dromez) A group of disorders where the bone marrow does not work well, and the bone marrow cells fail to make enough healthy blood cells. Myelo refers to the bone marrow. Dysplastic means abnormal growth or development. People with MDS have low blood cell count for at…
, and
Fanconi anemia
Fanconi anemia:
A rare inherited disorder that happens when the bone marrow does not make enough blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets). Fanconi anemia is diagnosed early in life. People with Fanconi anemia have a high likelihood of developing cancer. Genetic testing is used to diagnose Fanconi anemia.
.
Her research focus includes the mechanism of adhesion mediated
chemotherapy
chemotherapy:
(kee-moe-THER-uh-pee) The use of medicines that kill cells (cytotoxic agents). People with high-risk or intermediate-2 risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) may be given chemotherapy to kill bone marrow cells that have an abnormal size, shape, or look. Chemotherapy hurts healthy cells along with…
resistance in AML; hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for Fanconi anemia; and the application of precision medicine to hematologic malignancies through genomic analysis, gene expression analysis, and in vitro high throughput drug sensitivity data to optimize treatment.
Dr. Becker is also one of the original members of the AAMDSIF Medical Advisory Board, serving since it was formed in 1993.