Scholars@Duke
Nelson Jen An Chao

Nelson Jen An Chao

Donald D. and Elizabeth G. Cooke Cancer Distinguished Research Professor
Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy
nelson.chao@duke.edu
DUMC Box 3961, Durham, NC 27710
2400 Pratt St Suite 5000, DUMC Box 3961, Durham, NC 27710

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

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Donald D. and Elizabeth G. Cooke Cancer Distinguished Research Professor · 2002 - Present Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Medicine
Professor of Medicine · 2001 - Present Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Medicine
Professor in Immunology · 2001 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments
Professor in Pathology · 2011 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments
Research Professor of Global Health · 2013 - Present Duke Global Health Institute, University Institutes and Centers
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 1996 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers
Chief, Division of Cell Therapy in the Department of Medicine · 2004 - Present Medicine, Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy, Medicine
Affiliate of the Duke Regeneration Center · 2021 - Present Duke Regeneration Center, Basic Science Departments

In the News

Published May 17, 2023
More Options for People With Blood Cancer
Published October 15, 2019
Surviving Pediatric Cancer Shouldn't Depend on Where You Live
Published February 9, 2018
How Two Duke Professors Are Giving Families in Tanzania a Better Chance of Beating Cancer

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Recent Publications

Cutaneous dysbiosis characterizes the post-allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation period.

Journal Article Blood Adv · May 13, 2025 Gut dysbiosis is linked to mortality and the development of graft-versus-host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), but the impact of cutaneous dysbiosis remains unexplored. We performed a pilot observational study, obtained retroau ... Full text Link to item Cite

Food insecurity prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplant is associated with malnutrition and worse outcomes.

Journal Article Bone Marrow Transplant · April 12, 2025 Food insecurity (FI), defined as the lack of continuous access to adequate food, affects 17-55% of cancer patients. Effects may be exacerbated in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients, who face nutritional challenges due to treatment side effe ... Full text Link to item Cite

Immersive Virtual Reality for Enabling Patient Experience and Enrollment in Oncology Clinical Trials: A Feasibility Study.

Journal Article Cancers (Basel) · March 29, 2025 Background/Objectives: Informed consent is a crucial part of the clinical trial enrollment process in which patients are asked to understand and provide approval for medical interventions. Consent forms can be complex and hinder patient comprehension, high ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants

Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NIAID

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2018 - 2029

Advanced Immunobiology Traning Program for Surgeons

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2019 - 2029

Improving access to cancer care for children in Tanzania: Designing a health-systems intervention

ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by Fogarty International Center · 2022 - 2027

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Education, Training & Certifications

Yale University · 1981 M.D.