Prof. Peter O'Gorman

Biography

Prof. Peter O’Gorman is Director of Pathology and Consultant Haematologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital (MMUH).

He is recognized as a key opinion leader internationally in the clinical management of patients with haematological malignancies, in particular in the field of multiple myeloma. As current Chair of the Pathology Department, Prof. O’Gorman has led the development of pathology services on the Mater campus and is pro-active in planning a new laboratory build which has been prioritised by CEO of MMUH as part of the capital plan/spatial strategy. In addition, he is leading the development of a Genome Sequencing Laboratory on the Mater campus. This will incorporate bio-banking on site in collaboration with Prof Peter Doran. Major opportunities for undergraduate and post-graduate translational research collaboration exist and are under development with the School of Medicine and the Conway Institute.

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAM

Prof.O’Gorman has developed an important strategic linkage with the Dana Farber Institute for Cancer Research and Harvard Medical School, which houses the leading clinical and laboratory research programme on multiple myeloma in the world led by Prof Ken Anderson. Prof. O’Gorman has established a collaboration which has involved undergraduate and PhD students spending periods of collaborative research in the Dana Farber Institute. In 2012 Prof Ken Anderson was conferred with an honorary visiting professorship by UCD.

The main focus of the scientific projects is the development of clinically relevant biomarker tests through novel proteomic techniques including the first patented predictive thera-nostic test in Multiple Myeloma (4). This test is being further developed with funding from Enterprise Ireland.

CLINICAL TRIALS

His Chairmanship of ICORG’s Disease-specific Group on Haematological Malignancies from 2010-14 saw a marked increase in new trials and patient recruitment in Ireland. Mater Clinical Trials Research Unit is the lead recruiter in Ireland. The close relationship with the Dana Farber Cancer Institute has culminated in the first of a series of joint phase 2 trials-the RVD-SC trial which opened in January 2015 and has fully accrued its 42 patient target in 12 months.

Brief Summary of Relevant Clinical Research Activity:

1: National Principal Investigator: An International Phase III Study Evaluating the AKT inhibitor, Perifosine for the treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

2: National Principal Investigator: An International Phase III Study of Elotuzumab in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma.

3: National Principal Investigator; An International Phase III Study of Denusomab vs Zolendronic Acid in Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease.

4: National Principal Investigator: Celgene Stratus Trial – an International Phase IIIb Study of Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

5: National Principal Investigator: ICORG-Dana Farber Institute Phase II RVD – SC Trial, first patient recruited Q1. 2015.