Edward Chu MD

Deputy Director, Cancer Center; Chief, Section of Medical Oncology

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Departments & Organizations

Yale Medical Group

Cancer Prevention and Control Center

Developmental Therapeutics

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Biography

My research efforts have focused on elucidation of the mechanisms of cytotoxicity and resistance for the antimetabolite class of antineoplastic agents. Specifically, my research group has studied the fluoropyrimidines, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and capecitabine, the two most active single agents currently available for the treatment of human colorectal cancer and used in the treatment of a broad range of cancers, including breast and other GI malignancies. Our basic research studies have provided new insights as to how tumors become resistant to the effects of cancer chemotherapy, and his laboratory discovered a novel translational autoregulatory mechanism that controls the expression of the chemotherapeutic target thymidylate synthase. Based on these molecular studies, we are also focused on the design and development of novel treatment approaches for human cancers, with a specific focus on colorectal cancer. I have been actively involved in the clinical translational research of colorectal cancer, and my specific area of research interest has been on clinical drug development for colorectal cancer and other GI malignancies. As part of this effort, I have been actively involved in clinical trials that incorporate Chinese herbal medicines as part of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy in order to modulate clinical activity by reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy.
I am the founding Editor-in-Chief of the clinical journal Clinical Colorectal Cancer and is the Chairman of the International Colorectal Congress, which is an annual international meeting focusing on the latest developments in the management and treatment of colorectal cancer. In addition, I am the author of the Physician’ Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Manual, which is now in its ninth edition, and this drug manual includes a comprehensive review of all of the main drugs and drug regimens currently used in clinical practice for oncology.
I have been actively involved in the clinical translational research of colorectal cancer, and my specific area of research interest has been on clinical drug development for colorectal cancer and other GI malignancies. As part of this effort, I have been actively involved in clinical trials that incorporate Chinese herbal medicines as part of standard cytotoxic chemotherapy in order to modulate clinical activity by reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy.