Deborah M. Stephens, DO

EMAIL: dmstep@email.unc.edu

PERSONAL WEBSITE: https://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/hematology/people/deborah-stephens-do/

PUBLICATIONS: Publications Link

The overall goal of my research is to investigate novel targeted therapies and improve the care for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and B-cell lymphoma. In order to achieve this goal, I have developed a diverse clinical trial portfolio for patients with CLL and lymphoma. The scope of this program is far-reaching and not only improves the care of local patients but has produced research that has changed the standard of care for patients internationally. I have highlighted some of my contributions to science below, including: (1) translation of novel targeted and immunotherapeutic agents from laboratory into early phase clinical trials for patients with CLL/lymphoma, (2) long-term follow-up of patients treated on pivotal national cooperative group studies, and (3) management of high-risk CLL and associated conditions.

During my fellowship training at The Ohio State University, I had the amazing opportunity of managing patients with CLL on the phase 1 clinical trial of the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BTKi) ibrutinib. Observing the life-changing effects of drug development on these patients, I dedicated my career to clinical and translational research. As a junior faculty at University of Utah, I was one of the original principal investigators on the phase 1/2 clinical trial of the BTKi acalabrutinib for patients with CLL and saw the drug through to FDA approval. Subsequently, I have been an original principal investigator on numerous other phase 1 trials of BTK targeting agents including nemtabrutinib (BTKi), LP-168 (BTKi), NX-2122 (BTK degrader), and AC0676 (BTK degrader). Similarly, while at University of Utah, I lead the institutional effort to open a chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CART) program. With this program, I was one of the original principal investigators on the TRANSCEND-CLL-001 study that led to the FDA approval of lisocabtagene maraleucel for patients with CLL. In addition to these trials, I have served as principal investigator on numerous additional early-phase and cooperative group clinical trials, including the pivotal SWOG S1925 EVOLVE study, which I lead as international chair as a part of my role as leader of the CLL Subcommittee within the SWOG Leukemia Working Group.

In addition to my research pursuits, my service record reflects my dedication to the greater hematology community. I have held longstanding roles on the SWOG Leukemia and Lymphoma Working Groups, the NCCN CLL Guidelines Panel, and the Medical Advisory Board of the CLL Society. Under the direction of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, I co-led a panel of experts to develop a consensus guidelines for the management of patients with CLL. At University of Utah, I served in leadership roles including Leader of Hematology Clinical Trials and Leader of Hematology Research through the Huntsman Cancer Institute. At University of North Carolina, I serve as Director of the CLL and Richter Transformation Program, the Lymphoma and CLL Research Group and has taken on a role at the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center as a Co-Leader of the Cancer Therapeutics Program. I have also served as Chair of the Hematologic Malignancies Scientific Program Committee for the ASCO Annual Meeting and serve as the Lead Abstract Reviewer for the ASH CLL clinical abstracts for 2025, demonstrating my commitment to broadly disseminating key research in the field.