Michael W. Becker, M.D.

Our adult blood and marrow transplantation/leukemia service uses a team-based approach to care for our patients. I work with a great lineup of physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, patient care technicians and administrative assistants. Together, we achieve excellence for our patients.

I am a scientist by heart and a physician by training. During my residency, I cared for young patients with cancer, including acute leukemia, and their stories led to my area of focus. My research interests are bone marrow cancers and blood and marrow stem cell transplantation. My clinical practice is the direct application to this research. My goal is to be able to apply what I learn in the lab to the care of my patients in our clinic.

Conditions I Treat

- Blood and Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation
- Acute leukemia
- Chronic leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bone Marrow Failure
- Myeloproliferative disorders
- Myeloma

Research

The Becker lab studies malignant stem cell populations in myeloid neoplasms. By combining the power of cell sorting, qPCR based gene expression analysis and advanced normal and cancer stem cell models, we are now able to characterize the contribution of normal somatic tissue stem cells to the development of cancers, including Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and MDS. Our lab uses model systems and gene expression analysis to compare normal stem cells with their malignant counterparts with the goal of an improved understanding of the origins of cancer stem cells and to identify novel targets for therapy. We have employed a unique flow cytometry platform and analysis approach to differentiate normal and malignant stem cell and progenitor populations in patients undergoing treatment for AML and MDS. This platform allows us to assess the impact of therapy on malignant stem cell populations and their gene signatures in patients undergoing treatment of their disease. In addition, we are interested in the role of the microenvironment in supporting malignant stem cell populations.

Credentials

Faculty Appointments

Associate Professor - Department of Cancer Center,
Associate Professor - Department of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology (SMD) - Primary

Specialties

Internal Medicine
Medical Oncology - American Board of Internal Medicine

Education

1991
MS | Univ of Cincinnati
Chemistry

1988
BS | Univ of Cincinnati
Chemistry

1996
MD | Univ Cincinnati Coll Medicine
Medicine

Post-doctoral Training & Residency

06/24/1996 - 06/23/1997
Internship in Internal Medicine at University of Michigan Medical Center

07/01/1997 - 06/30/1999
Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Michigan Medical Center

07/01/1999 - 06/30/2002
Fellowship in Internal Medicine: Oncology at University of Michigan Medical Center

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Awards

1999
Internal Medicine Research Award
Sponsor: University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

1995
AOA (Junior class initiate)

Publications

Journal Articles

3/2017
Hunter BD, Herr M, Meacham PJ, Barlaskar F, Evans AG, Burack WR, Liesveld JL, Becker MW, Milner LA, Constine LS, Dhakal S, Barr PM, Friedberg JW, Casulo C. "Late Relapses After High-dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era." Clinical lymphoma, myeloma & leukemia.. 2017 Mar 0; 17(3):145-151. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

11/2016
Reid RM, Baran A, Friedberg JW, Phillips GL, Liesveld JL, Becker MW, Wedow L, Barr PM, Milner LA. "Outpatient administration of BEAM conditioning prior to autologous stem cell transplantation for lymphoma is safe, feasible, and cost-effective." Cancer medicine. 2016 Nov 0; 5(11):3059-3067. Epub 2016 Oct 03.

10/1/2016
Dhakal S, Bates JE, Casulo C, Friedberg JW, Becker MW, Liesveld JL, Constine LS. "Patterns and Timing of Failure for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma After Initial Therapy in a Cohort Who Underwent Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation for Relapse." International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics.. 2016 Oct 1; 96(2):372-8. Epub 2016 May 27.

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