Nelson Jen An Chao
Nelson Jen An Chao

Nelson Jen An Chao

Donald D. and Elizabeth G. Cooke Cancer Distinguished Research Professor

Overview

My research interests are in two broad areas, clinical hematopoietic stem cell and cord blood transplantation and in the laboratory studies related to graft vs. host disease and immune reconstitution. On the clinical side we are currently conducting approximately 50 different clinical protocols ranging from preparatory regimens, supportive care studies and disease specific protocols. Most of these clinical studies are centered around studies of the sources of stem cells and the methods to improve the long term outcome. There are exploratory protocols for novel therapies such as dendritic cell therapy for several malignancies, antiangiogenesis therapy, graft engineering to prevent graft-versus-host disease and antigen specific T cells or non specific NK cells to prevent relapse. Moreover a strong focus of the program is to develop cord-blood transplantation for adult patients with hematologic malignancies. The laboratory studies center on understanding the immunological events that occur with graft-vs-host disease and methods to prevent this disease. The current efforts focus on understanding murine reconstitution following transplantation, use of a peptide polymer to block MHC class II recognition of minor histocompatibility antigens, use of T cell engineering to prevent graft-versus-host disease at the same time preserving a graft-versus-malignancy effect.

For more information see http://ed-media.mc.duke.edu/BMT.nsf

Positions

Donald D. and Elizabeth G. Cooke Cancer Distinguished Research Professor in the School of Medicine

2002 School of Medicine

Professor of Medicine in the School of Medicine

2001 School of Medicine

Professor in Immunology in the School of Medicine

2001 School of Medicine

Research Professor of Global Health in the University Institutes and Centers

2013 University Institutes and Centers

Professor in Pathology in the School of Medicine

2011 School of Medicine

Affiliate of the Duke Regeneration Center in the School of Medicine

2021 School of Medicine

Chief, Division of Cell Therapy in the Department of Medicine in the School of Medicine

2004 School of Medicine

Member of the Duke Cancer Institute in the School of Medicine

1996 School of Medicine

Education

M.D. 1981

1981 Yale University

Medical Resident, Medicine

1984 Stanford University

Fellow in Oncology, Medicine

1987 Stanford University

Publications, Grants & Awards

DCI Centers, Cancer Types & Labs

Offices & Contact

2400 Pratt St Suite 5000
Durham, NC
27710
DUMC Box 3961
Durham, NC
27710