Nelson Jen An Chao

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 Integrative Immunobiology · 2001 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments

Professor in Pathology · 2011 - Present Pathology, Clinical Science Departments

Research Professor of Global Health · 2018 - 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

Trends in cell collection and apheresis practices: Insights from a cross-sectional study on the use of Spectra Optia in collection and transplant centers.

Journal Article Transfus Apher Sci · December 2025 BACKGROUND: This study, conducted among collection and transplant centers in France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (USA), aimed to better understand current trends, challenges, and future directions in cell collection and a ... Full text Link to item Cite

A Distinct Intestinal Domination Fingerprint in Patients Undergoing Allo-HSCT: Dynamics, Predictors and Implications on Clinical Outcomes.

Journal Article J Clin Med · November 24, 2025 Background: Although Enterococcus domination has been extensively evaluated in the context of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), the prevalence and clinical implications of other dominant genera remain poorly understood. Object ... Full text Link to item Cite

Optimized Monothiol Thioredoxin Derivative (ORP100S) Protects In Vitro and In Vivo from Radiation and Chemotoxicity Without Promoting Tumor Proliferation.

Journal Article Adv Sci (Weinh) · November 2025 Human thioredoxin-1 (TRX) is a target-selective disulfide reductase with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and regulatory functions that mitigates cellular stresses in various organ systems, providing a compelling rationale for therapeutic use as a broad-spe ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

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Recent Grants

2/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University

ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

The Gut Microbiome and Development of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Children

ResearchCo-Mentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030

Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) - NIAID

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPreceptor · Awarded by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases · 2018 - 2029

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Education, Training & Certifications

Yale University · 1981 M.D.