Christopher Dittus

Christopher Dittus, DO, MPH is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. He serves as the Clinical Director of the Lymphoma Program and Faculty Recruiter for Lymphoma within the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology. Dr. Dittus specializes in the diagnosis and management of all types of lymphoma including B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), T-cell NHL, and Hodgkin lymphoma with particular focus on rare lymphoma subtypes.

Dr. Dittus received his undergraduate degree from Binghamton University, a Masters of Public Health from George Washington University, and his medical degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency at Lenox Hill Hospital and fellowship at Boston Medical Center.

His primary research interests focus on Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM) and associated IgM-related disorders. Dr. Dittus is active in the WM-NET clinical trial group, participates in the International Workshop on Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia, and is listed in the International Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation physician directory as a WM specialist. He has developed an investigator-initiated trial evaluating the BTK-inhibitor acalabrutinib for relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) and works closely with the CAR T-cell therapy program at UNC to enroll WM patients. Additionally, he served as the AIDS Malignancy Consortium Principal Investigator at UNC for 6 years, focusing on accruing HIV+ patients to clinical trials.

Analysis of Dr. Dittus' recent publications reveals a strong focus on immunotherapy approaches for lymphoma treatment, particularly CAR T-cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors. His work spans rare lymphoma subtypes including Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, HIV-associated lymphomas, and Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma. The publications demonstrate a consistent translational research approach moving from basic understanding of disease mechanisms to clinical applications.

Dr. Dittus has been instrumental in developing clinical trials for rare lymphoma subtypes that previously lacked treatment options. His work on the BV-CHEP regimen for Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma represents one of the only frontline clinical trials for this disease in the US. He collaborates extensively with national research networks including the WM-NET and the AIDS Malignancy Consortium.

As Clinical Director of the Lymphoma Program at UNC, Dr. Dittus leads a multidisciplinary team of providers experienced in treating complex lymphoma cases, particularly primary central nervous system lymphoma which requires specialized care. His expertise spans both clinical management and cutting-edge therapeutic approaches for rare lymphoma subtypes.