Damian Laber, MD

Cancer Focus:
Adrenal Carcinoma, Anal Cancer, Appendiceal (Appendix) Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Brain Cancer, Breast Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma (Bile Duct Cancer), Colon Cancer, Colorectal Cancer, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Esophageal Cancer, Gallbladder Cancer, Gastrointestinal Carcinoid Tumor, Glioblastoma, Head and Neck Cancer, Hodgkin Lymphoma, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Kidney (Renal Cell) Cancer, Leukemia, Liver Cancer, Lung Cancer, MDS, Melanoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Mesothelioma, Multiple Myeloma-Plasma Cell Tumor, Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), Neuroendocrine Tumor, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, Oral Cavity or Throat Cancer, Pancoast Tumor, Pancreatic Cancer, Penile Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Skin Cancer (Nonmelanoma), Small Intestine Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Stomach (Gastric) Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Throat Cancer, Thymoma, Thyroid Cancer, Tongue Cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Dr. Laber is a hematologist/oncologist and senior member with Moffitt Medical Group in the Satellite and Community Oncology Department practicing at Tampa General Hospital and Moffitt international Plaza. The MMG faculty at TGH provides invaluable oncology services to the large patient population of this leading regional hospital. Dr. Laber earned his M.D. at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Cleveland Clinic Health System, and was designated Chief Resident during his term at Hillcrest and Southpointe Hospitals. Dr. Laber’s research interests have been devoted to translational research with special interest in hematology, genitourinary malignancies, gastrointestinal malignancies, and early clinical trials of new therapies. He has been the principal investigator in multiple clinical trials that have led to the development and approval of novel therapies for several cancers including prostate, kidney, colon, breast, lung, myeloproliferative disorders and many other malignancies. Dr. Laber’s other areas of research interest include heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombosis in cancer, venous thromboembolism, coagulation and bleeding disorders. Dr. Laber has published in prestigious scientific journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Blood, Cancer Investigation, American Journal of Hematology and European Journal of Haematology.

Education & Training

Board Certification:

• Internal Medicine - Hematology

Fellowship:

• UT MD Anderson Cancer Center - Hematology/Oncology
• Baylor College of Medicine - Hematology/Oncology

Residency:

• Huron Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Health Systems - Internal Medicine
• Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - Bone Marrow Transplant

Medical School:

• University of Buenos Aires - MD

• Laber DA, Patel PC, Logothetis CN, Patel AK, Jaglal M, Haider M, Visweshwar N, Rajasekaran-Rathnakumar G, Eatrides J. Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy treated with anticomplement protein 5 therapy, a retrospective study. Eur J Haematol. 2024 Mar.112(3):450-457. Pubmedid: 37984551.
• Turner K, Kim DW, Gonzalez BD, Gore LR, Gurd E, Milano J, Riccardi D, Byrne M, Al-Jumayli M, de Castria TB, Laber DA, Hoffe S, Costello J, Robinson E, Chadha JS, Rajasekhara S, Hume E, Hagen R, Nguyen OT, Nardella N, Parker N, Carson TL, Tabriz AA, Hodul P. Support Through Remote Observation and Nutrition Guidance (STRONG), a digital health intervention to reduce malnutrition among pancreatic cancer patients: A study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun. 2024 Apr.38:101271. Pubmedid: 38440777. Pmcid: PMC10910065.
• Meng L, Cao B, Ji R, Chen DT, Laber DA, Shafique M. Enhanced Efficacy of Chemotherapy by Addition of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Stage IV Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: A Real-World Analysis. J Cancer. 2023 Sep.14(17):3169-3175. Pubmedid: 37928431. Pmcid: PMC10622985.
• Jordan A, Jain AG, Koipallil GK, Reddy M, Chakkoli S, Midha S, Phuoc V, Eatrides J, Erhardt C, Patel AK, Rico J, Visweshar N, Mhaskar R, Parikh N, Laber D, Jaglal M. Can we lower the platelet threshold of ≥ 50 × 109/L for performing a lumbar puncture safely in patients with hematological malignancies?. Ann Hematol. 2023 Mar.102(3):663-668. Pubmedid: 36534146.
• Visweshwar N, Rico JF, Ayala I, Jaglal M, Laber DA, Ammad-Ud-Din M, Sokol L, Sotomayor E, Manoharan A. Insights into the Impact of Hesitancy on Cancer Care and COVID-19. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jun.15(12). Pubmedid: 37370725. Pmcid: PMC10296298.
• Meng L, Thapa R, Delgado MG, Gomez MF, Ji R, Knepper TC, Hubbard JM, Wang X, Permuth JB, Kim RD, Laber DA, Xie H. Association of Age With Treatment-Related Adverse Events and Survival in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Jun.6(6):e2320035. Pubmedid: 37358854. Pmcid: PMC10293914.
• Shakfeh K, Laber DA. Anticoagulation With Platelet Transfusions for Acute Limb Ischemia With Severe Thrombocytopenia. Cureus. 2023 Jul.15(7):e41255. Pubmedid: 37529813. Pmcid: PMC10389682.
• Visweshwar N, Ayala I, Jaglal M, Killeen R, Sokol L, Laber DA, Manoharan A. Primary immune thrombocytopenia: a 'diagnosis of exclusion'?. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2022 Sep.33(6):289-294. Pubmedid: 35867940. Pmcid: PMC9415225.
• Visweshwar N, Jaglal M, Patel A, Laber D, Sokol L. Should we integrate viscoelastic assays with standard coagulation screening?. J Clin Pathol. 2021 Mar.74(3):141-143. Pubmedid: 33436484.
• Shields MD, Skelton WP, Laber DA, Verbosky M, Ashraf N. A Novel Case of Leflunomide-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura. J Hematol (Brossard). 2021 Jun.10(3):139-142. Pubmedid: 34267852. Pmcid: PMC8256916.
• Logothetis CN, Patel A, Eatrides J, Jaglal M, Haider M, Visweshwar N, Laber DA. Post Approval Experience with Caplacizumab for Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura at a Single Institution. J Clin Med. 2021 Jul.10(15). Pubmedid: 34362201. Pmcid: PMC8347784.
• Logothetis CN, Fernandez J, Laber DA. Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis: Hidden in Plain Sight. Case Rep Med. 2021 Dec.2021:2551964. Pubmedid: 34917152. Pmcid: PMC8670900.
• Laber DA, Eatrides J, Jaglal MV, Haider M, Visweshwar N, Patel A. A phase I/II study of docetaxel in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Med Oncol. 2020 Sep.37(10):95. Pubmedid: 32979106.
• Desai R, Koipallil GK, Thomas N, Mhaskar R, Visweshwar N, Laber D, Patel A, Jaglal M. Efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants for secondary prevention of cancer associated thrombosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sci Rep. 2020 Nov.10(1):18945. Pubmedid: 33144679. Pmcid: PMC7642281.
• Ashraf N, Visweshwar N, Jaglal M, Sokol L, Laber D. Evolving paradigm in thrombophilia screening. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2019 Jul.30(5):249-252. Pubmedid: 31145103. Pmcid: PMC6687403.
• Kerr D, Laber D, Visweshwar N, Jaglal M. Case Report: CEA Elevation Can Be a Marker of Increased Inflammation During Treatment with Oxaliplatin. Anticancer Res. 2018 Mar.38(3):1711-1713. Pubmedid: 29491106.
• Laber DA, Chen MB, Jaglal M, Patel A, Visweshwar N. Phase 2 Study of Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, and Estramustine in Patients With Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2018 Dec.16(6):473-481. Pubmedid: 30072309.
• Chen MB, Laber DA. Metastatic Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma with DNA Sequencing Results and Response to Systemic Antineoplastic Chemotherapy. Anticancer Res. 2017 Sep.37(9):5109-5111. Pubmedid: 28870941.
• Sandoval-Sus JD, Mogollon-Duffo F, Patel A, Visweshwar N, Laber DA, Kim R, Jaglal MV. Nivolumab as salvage treatment in a patient with HIV-related relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and liver failure with encephalopathy. J Immunother Cancer. 2017 Jun.5:49. Pubmedid: 28642818. Pmcid: PMC5477132.
• Sam C, Desai P, Laber D, Patel A, Visweshwar N, Jaglal M. Pegylated bovine carboxyhaemoglobin utilisation in a thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura patient. Transfus Med. 2017 Aug.27(4):300-302. Pubmedid: 28401611.
• Visweshwar N, Jaglal M, Booth C, Griffin P, Laber D. AOHE: manuscript AOHE-D-16-00564 paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with autoimmune hemolytic anemia following eculizumab therapy-with large granular lymphocytic leukemia. Ann Hematol. 2016 Oct.95(10):1747-1749. Pubmedid: 27449072. Pmcid: PMC4982880.
• Rosenberg JE, Bambury RM, Van Allen EM, Drabkin HA, Lara PN, Harzstark AL, Wagle N, Figlin RA, Smith GW, Garraway LA, Choueiri T, Erlandsson F, Laber DA. A phase II trial of AS1411 (a novel nucleolin-targeted DNA aptamer) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Invest New Drugs. 2014 Feb.32(1):178-187. Pubmedid: 24242861. Pmcid: PMC4560460.
• Harandi A, Zaidi AS, Stocker AM, Laber DA. Clinical Efficacy and Toxicity of Anti-EGFR Therapy in Common Cancers. J Oncol. 2013 Jul.2009:567486. Pubmedid: 19424511. Pmcid: PMC2677718.
• Storey RE, Huerta AL, Khan A, Laber DA. Spontaneous complete regression of hepatocellular carcinoma. Med Oncol. 2011 Dec.28(4):948-950. Pubmedid: 20467917.
• Rabinowits G, Bhupalam L, Miller DM, Kloecker GH, Laber DA. Fixed-dose every-other-week capecitabine and oxaliplatin for refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Am J Med Sci. 2010 Feb.339(2):148-151. Pubmedid: 20087165.
• Khan MI, Chesney JA, Laber DA, Miller DM. Digitalis, a targeted therapy for cancer?. Am J Med Sci. 2009 May.337(5):355-359. Pubmedid: 19440057.
• Bates PJ, Laber DA, Miller DM, Thomas SD, Trent JO. Discovery and development of the G-rich oligonucleotide AS1411 as a novel treatment for cancer. Exp Mol Pathol. 2009 Jun.86(3):151-164. Pubmedid: 19454272. Pmcid: PMC2716701.
• Rezazadeh A, Laber DA, Ghim SJ, Jenson AB, Kloecker G. The role of human papilloma virus in lung cancer: a review of the evidence. Am J Med Sci. 2009 Jul.338(1):64-67. Pubmedid: 19593105.
• Moffett PU, Moffett BK, Laber DA. Diagnosing and managing suspected malignant pleural effusions. J Support Oncol. 2009 Jul.7(4):143-146. Pubmedid: 19731581.
• Laber DA, Mushtaq M. Compassionate use of sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell cancer. Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2009 Jan.7(1):34-38. Pubmedid: 19213666.
• Jaglal MV, Laber DA, Arnold FW, Miller DM, Chesney JA, Kloecker GH. Obtaining routine blood cultures during interleukin-2-containing therapy is unnecessary. Am J Clin Oncol. 2009 Aug.32(4):429-431. Pubmedid: 19451801.
• Rabinowits G, Laber DA. Bladder cancer: clinical practice. J Ky Med Assoc. 2009 Apr.107(4):129-133. Pubmedid: 19419018.
• Slone SP, Martin AW, Wellhausen SR, Woods DR, Malone JC, Lear SC, Laber DA. IL-4 production by CD8+ lymphomatoid papulosis, type C, attracts background eosinophils. J Cutan Pathol. 2008 Oct.35 Suppl 1:38-45. Pubmedid: 18537857.
• Cramer DE, Wagner S, Li B, Liu J, Hansen R, Reca R, Wu W, Surma EZ, Laber DA, Ratajczak MZ, Yan J. Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells by yeast-derived beta-glucan requires activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Stem Cells. 2008 May.26(5):1231-1240. Pubmedid: 18339771.
• Kloecker GH, Kannan CR, Laber DA, Rezazadeh A. Brain stem and clivus plasmacytoma. Am J Med Sci. 2008 Dec.336(6):503. Pubmedid: 19092324.
• Wagner SA, Mehta AC, Laber DA. Rituximab-induced interstitial lung disease. Am J Hematol. 2007 Oct.82(10):916-919. Pubmedid: 17597477.
• Rabinowits G, Shuster TD, Pazianos AG, Laber DA. Indolent course of thymic carcinoid. J Clin Oncol. 2007 Mar.25(9):1138-1139. Pubmedid: 17369578.
• Laber DA, Khan MI, Kloecker GH, Schonard C, Taft BS, Salvador C. A phase I study of thalidomide, capecitabine and temozolomide in advanced cancer. Cancer Biol Ther. 2007 Jun.6(6):840-845. Pubmedid: 17582215.
• Martin ME, Kloecker GH, Laber DA. Argatroban for anticoagulation during cardiac surgery. Eur J Haematol. 2007 Feb.78(2):161-166. Pubmedid: 17328717.
• Choudry MA, Moffett BK, Laber DA. Pure red-cell aplasia secondary to pregnancy, characterization of a syndrome. Ann Hematol. 2007 Apr.86(4):233-237. Pubmedid: 17262194.
• Laber DA, Okeke RI, Arce-Lara C, Taft BS, Schonard CL, McMasters KM, Kloecker GH, Miller DM. A phase II study of extended dose temozolomide and thalidomide in previously treated patients with metastatic melanoma. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2006 Sep.132(9):611-616. Pubmedid: 16741726.
• Martin ME, Laber DA. Cefotetan-induced hemolytic anemia after perioperative prophylaxis. Am J Hematol. 2006 Mar.81(3):186-188. Pubmedid: 16493619.
• Morgan JS, Laber DA. Ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella septicemia and osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease adults. South Med J. 2006 Jun.99(6):625-627. Pubmedid: 16800421.
• Laber DA, Goetz H K, Bhupalam L. Advances in the management of metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer. J Ky Med Assoc. 2006 Feb.104(2):65-69. Pubmedid: 16594572.
• Laber DA, Glisson SD, Hargis JB, Kosfeld RE, Goldsmith G, Cervera A, La Rocca RV. A phase II study of higher dose docetaxel in androgen-independent prostate cancer. Am J Clin Oncol. 2006 Aug.29(4):389-394. Pubmedid: 16891868.
• Laber DA. Why did he die?. Cancer Invest. 2006 Apr.24(3):331-332. Pubmedid: 16809163.
• Laber DA. Risk factors, classification, and staging of renal cell cancer. Med Oncol. 2006.23(4):443-454. Pubmedid: 17303902.
• Laber DA, Martin ME. Etiology of thrombocytopenia in all patients treated with heparin products. Eur J Haematol. 2005 Aug.75(2):101-105. Pubmedid: 16000126.
• Makoni SN, Laber DA. Clinical spectrum of myelophthisis in cancer patients. Am J Hematol. 2004 May.76(1):92-93. Pubmedid: 15114608.
• Hesketh PJ, Arena F, Patel D, Austin M, D'Avirro P, Rossi G, Colowick A, Schwartzberg L, Bertoli LF, Cole JT, Demetri G, Dessypris E, Dobbs T, Eisenberg P, Fleischman R, Hall J, Hoffman PC, Laber DA, Leonard J, Lester EP, McCachren S, McMeekin S, Meza L, Miller DS, Nand S, Oliff I, Paroly W, Pawl L, Perez A, Raftopoulos H, Rigas J, Rowland K, Scullin DC, Tezcan H, Waples J, Ward J, Yee LK. A randomized controlled trial of darbepoetin alfa administered as a fixed or weight-based dose using a front-loading schedule in patients with anemia who have nonmyeloid malignancies. Cancer. 2004 Feb.100(4):859-868. Pubmedid: 14770445.