Stefania Pittaluga, MD, PhD
Entry Id: TP-87

Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have completed three years of training in anatomic pathology, or four years of training in anatomic and clinical pathology in a residency program accredited by the ACGME. Fellows must have a valid medical license in one of the 50 U.S. states, or Canada, at the time they begin their fellowship. Physicians who received their primary medical education outside the United States are eligible, as long as they meet other eligibility criteria. Prior research experience is highly desirable, as well evidence of commitment to an academic career.

Overview
The Hematopathology Section of the Laboratory of Pathology, National Cancer Institute offers a fully ACGME accredited fellowship in hematopathology, which provides broad exposure to the diagnostic and investigative aspects of neoplastic hematopathology. Material is derived principally from an active inhouse treatment program for both adult and pediatric hematologic malignancies. In addition, approximately over 2000 challenging cases are submitted in consultation each year. The Hematopathology Section collaborates with the Clinical Services of the NCI, NHLBI, and NIAID in both clinical management and research.

Participation in research is an intrinsic component of the fellowship program. Fellows have an opportunity to pursue laboratory interests related to experimental hematopathology and immunology. These investigations include the immunologic, functional, and molecular aspects of human leukemia and lymphoma. Appointments are for a period of two years, with extension available. In the first year, fellows focus primarily on clinical rotations, fulfilling the ACGME requirements to qualify for the Board Certification examination in Hematopathology. In the second year, the majority of time is available for research.

The Hematopathology Section of the Laboratory of Pathology, NCI, under the leadership of Dr. Elaine S. Jaffe, provides a diagnostic service, which includes routine morphology, immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, classical and research cytogenetics, and molecular genetics. The clinical rotations allow for exposure to these specialized diagnostic modalities. The facilities of the NCI Core Laboratories including Laser-capture microdissection, Microarray facilities, just to mention a few, provide access to the most modern molecular techniques.

Our program is integrated with the Hematology Department of the Clinical Center, NIH, where fellows receive training in bone marrow pathology and laboratory hematology. Further exposure to laboratory hematology and bone marrow pathology is provided through rotations at George Washington University Hospital Children’s National Medical Center. Enhanced exposure to hematopathology and flow cytometry is also obtained through an elective rotation at Johns Hopkins University Medical Center.

• Elaine S. Jaffe, M.D., Biology and classification of lymphomas
• Mark Raffeld, M.D., Molecular pathogenesis of lymphomas
• Liqiang Xi, M.D., Molecular diagnostics
• Maryalice Stetler-Stevenson, M.D., Ph.D., Flow cytometry, biology of lymphoid neoplasia
• Stefania Pittaluga, M.D., Ph.D., pathogenesis of lymphoma, primary immunodeficiencies
• Constance Yuang, M.D., Flow cytometry
• Diane Arthur, M.D., Clinical Cytogenetics
• Raul Braylan, M.D., Flow cytometry, plasma cell neoplasms
• Irina Maric, M.D., Bone marrow diagnosis, myeloproliferative disorders
• Katherine Calvo, M.D., Ph.D., Myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disorders
• Jay Lozier, M.D. Ph.D, coagulation
• Dragos C. Luca, M.D., pediatric hematopathology,
• Donald Karcher, M.D., hematopathology
• Louis DePalma, M.D., hematopathology

Examples of Papers Written by Program Faculty and Fellows

Eberle FC, Song JY, Xi L, Raffeld M, Harris NL, Wilson WH, Pittaluga S, Jaffe ES. Nodal involvement by cutaneous CD30-positive T-cell lymphoma mimicking classical Hodgkin lymphoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 2012 May;36(5):716-25

Liu Q, Salaverria I, Pittaluga S, Jegalian AG, Xi L, Siebert R, Raffeld M, Hewitt SM, Jaffe ES. Follicular Lymphomas in Children and Young Adults: A Comparison of the Pediatric Variant With Usual Follicular Lymphoma. Am J Surg Pathol, 2012

Song JY, Eberle FC, Xi L, Raffeld M, Rahma O, Wilson WH, Dunleavy K, Pittaluga S, Jaffe ES. Coexisting and clonally identical classical Hodgkin lymphoma and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Am J Surg Pathol, 35 (5):767-72, 2011

Dojcinov SD, Venkataraman G, Pittaluga S, Wlodarska I, Schrager JA, Raffeld M, Hills RK, Jaffe ES. Age related EBV associated lymphoprolifertaive disorder – a spectrum of reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and lymphoma: The Western experience. Blood, 117(18):4726-35, 2011

Venkataraman G, Raffeld M, Jaffe ES, Pittaluga S. CD15 expression in nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. Histopathology, 58(5):803-5, 2011

Venkataraman G, Rizzo KA, Chavez J, Streubel B, Raffeld M, Jaffe ES, Pittaluga S. Marginal zone lymphomas involving meningeal dura: possible link to IgG4-related diseases. Mod Pathol, 24: 355-365, 2011

Dojcinov SD, Venkataraman G, Raffeld M, Pittaluga S, Jaffe ES. EBV positive mucocutaneous ulcer- a study of 26 cases associated with various sources of immunosuppression. Am J Surg Pathol, 34: 405-417, 2010

Venkataraman G, Berkowitz J, Morris JC, Janik JJ, Raffeld M, Pittaluga S. Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma with EBV-positive Hodgkin-like cells. Human Pathol, 2011 Feb 10.

Shao H, Xi L, Raffeld M, Pittaluga S, Dunleavy K, Spector N, Wilson WH, Milito C, Morais JC, Jaffe ES. Nodal plasmacytoma expressing immunoglobulin A: an indolent lymphoproliferative disorder with low risk of systemic disease. Am J Surg Pathol, 34 (10):1425-35, 2010

Shao H, Yuan CM, Xi L, Raffeld M, Morris JC, Janik JE, Stetler-Stevenson M. Minimal residual disease detection by flow cytometry in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. Am J Clin Pathol. 133(4):592-601, 2010

Venkataraman G, McClain KL, Pittaluga S, Rao VK, Jaffe ES: Development of disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in a patient with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome and associated Rosai-Dorfman disease. Am J Surg Pathol, 34(4):589-94, 2010

Rizzo KA, Streubel B, Pittaluga S, Chott A, Xi L, Raffeld M, Jaffe ES: Marginal zone lymphomas in children and the young adult population; characterization of genetic aberrations by FISH and RT-PCR. Mod Pathol, 23(6):866-73, 2010

Program Graduates

• Summers, Thomas, CPT. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Graduated 2011
• Huppmann, Alison R, Graduated 2011
• Liu, Qingyan, NIH, DLM, Bethesda MD, Graduated 2010
• Song, Joo Y , University of California at Davis, CA, Graduated 2010
• Shao, Haipeng, Moffitt Cancer Center, Orlando, FL, Graduated 2009
• Venkataraman, Girish, Loyola University, Chicago, IL, Graduated 2009
• Jegalian, Armin, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, Graduated 2008
• Calvo, Katherine, NIH, DLM, Bethesda, MD, Graduated 2008

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