
Uday R Popat, M.D.
Department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Popat
Dr. Uday Popat graduated from the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College in Bombay, India. He completed the residency and fellowship programs at institutions in the United Kingdom, India and the United States including Baylor College of Medicine and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He is currently Professor of Medicine in the department of Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Deputy Chair ad interim, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Myelofibrosis: Reduced intensity allogeneic transplantation(SCT) for myelofibrosis: This is a novel study, first protocol in this disease at MDACC and the largest single center study, which is still accruing patients. Our preliminary results are encouraging. If these hold over a period of time, this should become standard of care and establish allogeneic transplant as a viable, curative therapy. In a separate study we showed that long term remission was possible in patients with AML post MF after SCT. This finding has not been previously reported.
Multiple Sclerosis: My previous study and current ongoing study at MDACC will go some way in establishing a role for autologous transplantation in this disease. Our study on allogeneic transplantation for patients with ALS was novel and although negative for clinical endpoints did show significant trafficking of donor hematopoietic stem cells to diseased areas in central nervous system.
Imapct of comorbidities on SCT: To identify patients most suitable for allo transplant and to identify the most suitable transplant strategy for patients with comorbidities.
Risk factors predicting stem cell mobilization failure.Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
2016 | Rice University, Houston, TX, USA, MBA, Business Administration |
2003 | Royal College of Pathologists, London, GBR, FRCPath, Hematology |
1995 | Royal College of Pathologists, London, GBR, MRCPath, Hematology |
1994 | Royal College of Pathologists, London, GBR, Dip RCPath, Hematology |
1991 | Royal College of Physicians, London, GBR, MRCP, Internal Medicine |
1988 | University of Bombay, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Hospital, Bombay, IND, MD, Internal Medicine |
1983 | University of Bombay, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College & Hospital, Bombay, IND, MB, BS, Med School |
Postgraduate Training
1997-1999 | Residency, Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX |
1996-1997 | Fellowship, Hematology and Medical Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX |
1995-1996 | Fellowship, Bone Marrow Transplant, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
1994-1995 | Fellowship, Bone Marrow Transplant, Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine University of London, London |
1983-1988 | Internship and Residency, Internal Medicine, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College and General Hospital, University of Bombay, Bombay |
Board Certifications
2001 | American Board of Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology |
2001 | American Board of Internal Medicine, Hematology |
2000 | American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2011
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Associate Program Director, Department of Stem Cell Transplant Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - Present
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Search committee for Neuro Onc, 2019 - Present
Member, Operative task force 6, 2019 - Present
Member, Urgent care task force, 2019 - Present
Member, Cost accounting committee, 2019 - Present
Member, Executive Committee of Medical Staff, 2018 - Present
Member, TMC 2 Taskforce, 2017 - Present
Member, PRS Faculty Compensation & Benefit Advisory Committee, 2017 - Present
Member, Operational Priority 2 Financial Sustainability, 2017 - Present
Member, Executive Institutional Compliance Committee, 2017 - 2018
Member, Faculty Senate Executive Committee, 2015 - 2017
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, 2015 - Present
Quality Officer, Quality Officer for Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2011 - Present
Member, Clinical Research Committee - CRC 2, 2011 - 2015
Alternate Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff, 2011 - 2015
Member, Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) Steering Committee, 2010 - Present
Member, Faculty Senate, 2010 - 2018
Member, Infection Control Committee, 2008 - 2013
Member, Infection Control Core Group, 2008 - 2013
Honors & Awards
2020 | Best Abstract Award, 2020 TCT | Transplantation & Cellular Therapy Meetings of ASTCT and CIBMTR |
2009 | Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Ramdial JL, Mehta RS, Saliba RM, Alousi AM, Bashir Q, Hosing C, Kebriaei P, Olson AL, Oran B, Qazilbash MH, Srour SA, Andersson BS, Champlin RE, Popat U. Acute graft-versus-host disease is the foremost cause of late nonrelapse mortality. Bone Marrow Transplant 56(8):2005-2012, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33846563.
- Yilmaz M, Daver N, Borthakur G, Kadia T, DiNardo C, Kanagal-Shamanna R, Loghavi S, Oran B, Popat UR, Pierce S, Jabbour E, Short NJ, Issa G, Ohanian M, Konopleva M, Patel K, Kantarjian H, Ravandi F. FLT3 inhibitor based induction and allogeneic stem cell transplant in CR1 improves outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed AML with very low FLT3 allelic burden. Am J Hematol 96(8):E275-E279, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33891709.
- Mishra A, Preussler JM, Bhatt VR, Bredeson C, Chhabra S, D'Souza A, Dahi PB, Hacker ED, Gowda L, Hashmi SK, Howard DS, Jakubowski A, Jayani R, Koll T, Lin RJ, Olin RL, Popat UR, Rodriguez C, Rosko A, Sabloff M, Sorror ML, Sung AD, Ustun C, Wood WA, Burns L, Artz A. Breaking the Age Barrier: Physicians' Perceptions on Candidacy for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Older Adults. Transplant Cell Ther 27(7):617.e1-617.e7, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33836312.
- Mehta RS, Bassett R, Rondon G, Overman BJ, Popat UR, Hosing CM, Rezvani K, Qazilbash MH, Anderlini P, Jones RB, Kebriaei P, Marin D, Khouri IF, Oran B, Ciurea SO, Kondo K, Couriel DR, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Alousi AM. Randomized phase II trial of extracorporeal phototherapy and steroids vs. steroids alone for newly diagnosed acute GVHD. Bone Marrow Transplant 56(6):1316-1324, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33398094.
- Shah MV, Saliba RM, Varma A, Ciurea SO, Oran B, Olson A, Bose P, Bashir Q, Masarova L, Alousi AM, Srour S, Mehta RS, Daver N, Pemmaraju N, Verstovsek S, Champlin RE, Popat UR. Allogeneic stem cell transplant for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms in blast phase: improving outcomes in the recent era. Br J Haematol 193(5):1004-1008, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33821472.
- Oran B, Saliba RM, Mehta RS, Alousi AM, Marin D, Valdez BC, Chen J, Bashir Q, Ciurea SO, Olson AL, Hosing C, Kebriaei P, Rezvani K, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Andersson BS, Popat UR. Fractionated busulfan myeloablative conditioning improves survival in older patients with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Cancer 127(10):1598-1605, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33471943.
- Sheshadri A, Saliba R, Patel B, Ahmed T, Bueno LC, Arain MH, Mehta RS, Popat UR, Hosing CM, Rondon G, Bashoura L, Dickey BF, Champlin RE, Alousi AM. Azithromycin may increase hematologic relapse rates in matched unrelated donor hematopoietic cell transplant recipients who receive anti-thymocyte globulin, but not in most other recipients. Bone Marrow Transplant 56(3):745-748, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33009515.
- Koller P, Saliba RM, Ledesma C, Rondon G, Popat U, Alousi A, Mehta R, Oran B, Olson A, Hosing C, Qazilbash M, Khouri I, Ciurea S, Shpall E, Jorgensen J, Wang S, Jain N, Jabbour E, Kantarjian H, Champlin R, Konopleva M, Kebriaei P. Outcomes in patients with CRLF2 overexpressed acute lymphoblastic leukemia after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33767403.
- Srour SA, Saliba RM, Bashir Q, Popat UR, Ahmed S, Mehta RS, Delgado R, Rondon G, Parmar S, Kebriaei P, Hosing C, Manasanch EE, Lee HC, Patel KK, Orlowski RZ, Shpall E, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH, Nieto Y. Influence of Overlapping Genetic Abnormalities on Treatment Outcomes of Multiple Myeloma. Transplant Cell Ther 27(3):243.e1-243.e6, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33781521.
- Mehta RS, Saliba RM, Jan A, Shigle TL, Wang E, Nieto Y, Ciurea SO, Oran B, Im J, Olson A, Marin D, Qazilbash M, Khouri I, Rondon G, Anderlini P, Rezvani K, Popat U, Kebriaei P, Shpall E, Champlin R, Alousi A. Vedolizumab for Steroid Refractory Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Graft-Versus-Host Disease. Transplant Cell Ther 27(3):272.e1-272.e5, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33781539.
- Saberian C, Abdel-Wahab N, Abudayyeh A, Rafei H, Joseph J, Rondon G, Whited L, Gruschkus S, Fa'ak F, Daher M, Knape C, Safa H, Shoukier M, Suarez-Almazor ME, Marcotulli M, Ludford K, Gulbis AM, Konopleva M, Ohanian M, Ravandi F, Garcia-Manero G, Oran B, Popat UR, Mehta R, Alousi AM, Daver N, Champlin R, Diab A, Al-Atrash G. Post-transplantation cyclophosphamide reduces the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease in patients with acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndromes who receive immune checkpoint inhibitors after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Immunother Cancer 9(2), 2021. PMID: 33637601.
- Olson AL, Saliba RM, Oran B, Chen J, Alousi A, Ahmed S, Bashir Q, Ciurea SO, Hosing C, Seon Im J, Kebriaei P, Khouri IF, Mehta R, Nieto Y, Parmar S, Rezvani K, Shah N, Shpall E, Srour SA, Qazilbash M, Andersson BS, Champlin R, Popat UR. Cytogenetics and Blast Count Determine Transplant Outcomes in Patients with Active Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Acta Haematol 144(1):1-8, 2021. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32604096.
- Srour SA, Popat UR. Impact of Mixed Chimerism on Myelofibrosis Outcomes after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 26(12):e301-e302, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32949752.
- Short NJ, Rafei H, Daver N, Hwang H, Ning J, Jorgensen JL, Kadia TM, DiNardo CD, Wang SA, Jabbour E, Popat U, Oran B, Cortes J, Konopleva M, Yilmaz M, Issa GC, Kantarjian H, Ravandi F. Prognostic impact of complete remission with MRD negativity in patients with relapsed or refractory AML. Blood Adv 4(24):6117-6126, 2020. PMID: 33351107.
- Oran B, de Lima M, Garcia-Manero G, Thall PF, Lin R, Popat U, Alousi AM, Hosing C, Giralt S, Rondon G, Woodworth G, Champlin RE. A phase 3 randomized study of 5-azacitidine maintenance vs observation after transplant in high-risk AML and MDS patients. Blood Adv 4(21):5580-5588, 2020. PMID: 33170934.
- Popat UR, Sobecks RM, Scott BL, Gerds AT, Salit RB, Deeg HJ, Nakamura R, Saber W. Genetic factors rather than blast reduction determine outcomes of allogeneic HCT in BCR-ABL-negative MPN in blast phase. Blood Adv 4(21):5562-5573, 2020. PMID: 33170935.
- Wilson NR, Fang H, Loghavi S, Wang W, Tang G, Haltom RO, Rausch CR, McClain KL, Rao KV, Popat UR, Fayad LE, Champa N, Calvo KR, Allen CE, Kadia TM, Pemmaraju N. Treating Rosai-Dorfman disease and RAS-associated autoimmune leucoproliferative disorder with malignant transformation. Br J Haematol. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33238033.
- Gupta V, Kim S, Hu ZH, Liu Y, Aljurf M, Bacher U, Beitinjaneh A, Cahn JY, Cerny J, Copelan E, Gadalla SM, Gale RP, Ganguly S, George B, Gerds AT, Gergis U, Hamilton BK, Hashmi S, Hildebrandt GC, Kamble RT, Kindwall-Keller T, Lazarus HM, Liesveld JL, Litzow M, Maziarz RT, Nishihori T, Olsson RF, Rizzieri D, Savani BN, Seo S, Solh M, Szer J, Verdonck LF, Wirk B, Woolfrey A, Yared JA, Alyea EP, Popat UR, Sobecks RM, Scott BL, Nakamura R, Saber W. Comparison of outcomes of HCT in blast phase of BCR-ABL1- MPN with de novo AML and with AML following MDS. Blood Adv 4(19):4748-4757, 2020. PMID: 33007075.
- Saini N, Bashir Q, Milton DR, Tang G, Delgado R, Rondon G, Popat UR, Hosing CM, Nieto Y, Kebriaei P, Alousi AM, Mehta R, Srour S, Khouri IF, Weber DM, Thomas SK, Lee HC, Patel KK, Orlowski RZ, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH. Busulfan and melphalan conditioning is superior to melphalan alone in autologous stem cell transplantation for high-risk MM. Blood Adv 4(19):4834-4837, 2020. PMID: 33027527.
- Joseph J, Popat U. Improving Survival After Transplant in Myelofibrosis. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 20 Suppl 1:S72-S73, 2020. PMID: 32862877.
- Samuelson SJ, Popat U, Prchal JT. Marrow fibrosis does not account for circulating CD34+ cells in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia. Haematologica 92(4 e47):ELT02, 2007. PMID: 17405759.
Abstracts
- Afrough A, Srour SA, Bashir Q, Saini NY, Hosing C, Popat UR, Kebriaei P, Delgado R, Murphy R, Manasanch E, Lee HC, Kaufman G, Patel KK, Thomas S, Webber D, Orlowski RZ, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH. Impact of Induction with VRD Vs. VCD on the Outcome of Patients with Multiple Myeloma after an Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Transplant Cell Ther 2021 TCT Meetings Digital Experience 27(3, Supplement):S405-S406, 2021.
- Afrough A, Alsfeld LC, Delgado R, Popat UR, Kebriaei P, Oran B, Saini NY, Srour SA, Hosing C, Manasanch E, Lee HC, Kaufman G, Patel KK, Orlowski RZ, Pinnix C, Dabaja B, Thomas S, Weber D, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH, Bashir Q. Long-Term Outcomes of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma. Transplant Cell Ther 2021 TCT Meetings Digital Experience 27(3, Supplement):S411-S412, 2021.
- Bashir Q, Milton DR, Rezvani K, Saini NY, Shpall EJ, Srour SA, Popat UR, Konopleva M, Pemmaraju N, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH. Phase 2 Study of Tagraxofusp Therapy for Patients with BPDCN Post‑Autologous or Post-Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Transplant Cell Ther 2021 TCT Meetings Digital Experience 27(3, Supplement):S432, 2021.
- Mehta RS, Saliba RM, Jan A, Shigle TL, Wang E, Rondon G, Nieto Y, Ciurea S, Oran B, Im JS, Olson AL, Marin D, Qazilbash MH, Khouri IF, Anderlini P, Rezvani K, Popat UR, Kebriaei P, Shpall EJ, Champlin RE, Alousi AM. Vedolizumab for Steroid Refractory Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Graft Versus Host Disease. Blood 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition 136(Supplement 1):39-40, 2020.
- Oran B, Ciurea SO, Mehta RS, Alousi AM, Rondon G, Popat UR, Marin D, Daher M, Im JS, Kebriaei P, Alatrash G, Champlin RE. Transplant Outcomes with Fludarabine and Melphalan in High Risk AML Patients By Donor Types. Blood 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition 136(Supplement 1):20-21, 2020.
- Srour SA, Bashir Q, Milton DR, Nieto Y, Mehta RS, Saini N, Delgado R, Rondon G, Hosing C, Ciurea SO, Popat UR, Khouri IF, Kebriaei P, Manasanch EE, Manasanch EE, Patel KK, Shpall EJ, Lee HC, Orlowski RZ, Champlin RE, Qazilbash MH. Survival Trends in Multiple Myeloma after Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Blood 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition 136(Supplement 1):24-25, 2020.
- Joseph J, Popat U. A Mildly Symptomatic Middle-Aged Woman with INT-1 Primary Myelofibrosis. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2020 SOHO Virtual Meeting 20(Supplement 1):S19, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Joseph J, Popat U. Improving Survival After Transplant in Myelofibrosis. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 2020 SOHO Virtual Meeting 20(Supplement 1):S72-S73, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Srour SA, Kongtim P, Chen J, Rondon G, Hosing C, Popat U, Bashir Q, Qazilbash M, Kebriaei P, Petropoulos. Second allogeneic stem cell transplantation with haploidentical grafts for post-transplant relapse. 25th EHA Virtual Congress 4(S1):645, 2020.
Book Chapters
- Fanale M, Dabaja B, Popat U, Anderlini P, Younes A. Hodgkin Lymphoma. In: 60 Years of Survival Outcomes at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Springer Science, 225-239, 2012.
- Rice L, Popat U. Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In: Conn's Current Therapy 2008. Saunders-Elsevier: United Kingdom, 458-461, 2008.
- Popat U, Giralt S. Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. In: Contemporary Hematology, Stem Cell Transplantation for Hematoligic and other Disorders. Humana Press: Totowa, NJ, 2008.
- Popat U, Giralt S. Hematopoietic cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukemia and myelofibrosis. In: Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders. Informa Press, 2008.
Grant & Contract Support
Title: | High dose immunosuppression and autologous transplantation for multiple sclerosis (HALT MS) study |
Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
Role: | Principal Investigator-MDACC |
Title: | Eltrombopag for post transplant thrombocytopenia |
Funding Source: | GlaxoSmithKline |
Role: | Principal Investigator |
Title: | Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for myelofibrosis using reduced intensity busulfan and fludarabine conditioning |
Funding Source: | Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company Ltd |
Role: | Principal Investigator |
Title: | Novel Correlative Studies for Ongoing MD Anderson Eltrombopag Trials |
Funding Source: | Novartis |
Role: | Co-Investigator |
Title: | Pacritinib Prior to Transplant for Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) |
Funding Source: | CTI BioPharma Corp |
Role: | Principal Investigator |
Title: | Blu/Flu and Sorafenib in AML/MDS |
Funding Source: | Bayer Pharmaceutical |
Role: | Principal Investigator |