Clinical Biologist at Institute Gustave Roussy, France
Antoine Ahmadreza Arbab is a highly respected medical biologist specializing in hematology-immunology at a premier cancer center in France. Born in Tehran and educated in Iran and France, he holds a medical doctorate and pursued advanced training in hematology flow cytometry. With over two decades of clinical and research experience, Dr. Arbab has built a strong record in diagnostic hematology, CAR‑T cell monitoring, and digital PCR-based leukemia diagnostics. He works at the intersection of clinical service and research, supervising laboratory technicians and interns and participating in multidisciplinary tumor boards. His dynamic career trajectory has earned him recognition for rigor in laboratory accreditation and leadership in technology-driven hematologic diagnostics.
Professional Profile
Scopus | ORCID
Education
Dr. Arbab earned his Doctor of Medicine degree after rigorous medical studies in Tehran, culminating in an outstanding distinction for his doctoral research on peritoneal dialysis. Following relocation to France, he passed the competitive national medical residency exam and completed his specialization in medical biology at Grenoble University, with rotations in hematology, hemostasis, biochemistry, and microbiology. He defended his thesis on digital PCR‑based quantification of NPM1 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. He subsequently pursued a diploma in hematology flow cytometry to deepen expertise in immunophenotyping and MRD monitoring. His education combines foundational clinical medicine with advanced molecular diagnostics and laboratory accreditation training—equipping him to bridge laboratory science and patient‑oriented hematology diagnostics.
Experience
At a leading cancer center, Dr. Arbab has served as a medical biologist in hematology‑immunology. He oversees interpretation of complete blood counts, bone marrow aspirates, lymph node imprints, and immunophenotyping analyses—including CAR T‑cell monitoring—and plays an integral role in validating and accrediting laboratory protocols. His responsibilities extend to supervising technicians and interns, and contributing to hematology tumor board meetings. Earlier, he completed a residency in medical biology with a hematology specialization, undertaking rotations across multiple diagnostic domains and an oncology‑genetics internship. Prior to his specialization, he practiced as a physician‑researcher in anesthesiology research in Iran, including membership in WHO‑affiliated initiatives. He also served as a field physician during military service, providing public health and STD prevention education. His career demonstrates a progression from clinical practice to advanced diagnostic leadership.
Research Focus
Dr. Arbab’s research centers on precision hematologic diagnostics using advanced molecular and immunophenotypic techniques. He focuses on monitoring minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia via digital PCR quantification of NPM1 mutations, and on CAR‑T cell therapy’s impact and monitoring. He contributes to studies on circulating tumor DNA and TP53/dna damage gene mutations in cancer patients, leveraging liquid biopsy for personalized oncology. Additional interests include post‑CAR‑T cell therapy complications such as therapy‑related myelodysplastic syndromes and plasma cell dedifferentiation in refractory multiple myeloma. His approach integrates next‑generation sequencing, flow cytometry, and molecular quantification to refine diagnostics, guide clinical decisions, and anticipate therapeutic responses. Through collaborations in molecular‑tumor boards and multidisciplinary teams, his work bridges laboratory innovation with clinical translation.
Publication Top Notes
Genomic landscape of liquid biopsy mutations in TP53 and DNA damage genes in cancer patients – npj Precision Oncology. DOI: 10.1038/s41698‑024‑00544‑7. Co‑authors include Damien Vasseur, Fabiola Giudici, Christophe Marzac, Stefan Michiels, Marco Tagliamento, et al.
Summary: Comprehensive analysis of circulating tumor DNA in TP53 and DNA damage–related genes across cancer types, informing precision oncology and non‑invasive monitoring.
Myelodysplastic syndrome following chimeric antigen receptor T‑cell therapy treated with allogenic stem cell transplantation – Immunotherapy. DOI: 10.2217/imt‑2022‑0205. Co‑authors Khalil Saleh, David Ghez, Camille Bigenwald, Sophie Cotteret, Christophe Marzac, Véronique Saada, Véronique Vergé, et al.
Summary: Case series and review of MDS occurrence after CAR‑T therapy, discussing salvage via allogeneic transplant and implications for long‑term CAR‑T follow‑up.
Next‑Generation Sequencing on Circulating Tumor DNA in Advanced Solid Cancer: Swiss Army Knife for the Molecular Tumor Board? A Review of the Literature Focused on FDA Approved Test – Cells. DOI: 10.3390/cells11121901. Co‑authors Damien Vasseur, Hela Sassi, Arnaud Bayle, Marco Tagliamento, Benjamin Besse, Christophe Marzac, Nathalie Auger, Sophie Cotteret, Mihaela Aldea, et al.
Summary: Literature review of ctDNA NGS tests approved by FDA, highlighting their value in molecular tumor board settings for guiding treatment decisions in advanced solid tumors.
Plasma cell dedifferentiation in refractory multiple myeloma – British Journal of Haematology. DOI: 10.1111/bjh.17244. Co‑authors Véronique Saada, Sophie Cotteret, Christophe Marzac, David Ghez.
Summary: Investigation of morphological and phenotypic changes in plasma cells in refractory myeloma cases, with implications for diagnosis and resistance mechanisms.
Conclusion:
While his collaborative work is commendable, further enhancement as lead or senior author and deeper involvement in international research networks could broaden his academic footprint. Nonetheless, Dr. Arbab’s integration of molecular diagnostics with clinical hematology, especially in the emerging field of cellular therapy, positions him as a standout figure deserving of recognition through the Best Researcher Award.