SUMMARY
Asher A. Chanan-Khan, M.D., is dedicated to advancing and discovering treatments for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia or multiple myeloma. He works very closely with both his clinical staff and research staff to support and improve quality of life for these patients.
For over a decade, Dr. Chanan-Khan has been engaged in therapeutics — the branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and cure of diseases — and extensive laboratory research. His expertise is in preclinical target validation and drug evaluation directed toward early-phase clinical trials.
Dr. Chanan-Khan's work aims to discover novel therapies. He has actively contributed to the development of immunomodulating drugs, including thalidomide and its analogs, in both CLL and multiple myeloma. For CLL, he is credited for introducing lenalidomide and defining its potential as a new therapeutic. In addition, he has been actively involved in the evaluation of other promising agents through phase 1 and 2 trials. In multiple myeloma, Dr. Chanan-Khan has been involved in the development of various therapeutics used both alone and in combination. These include proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib and carfilzomib, along with new monoclonal antibodies. These drug development efforts remain the focus of his continued research.
Dr. Chanan-Khan has been principal investigator or co-principal investigator on numerous clinical trials for patients with CLL and multiple myeloma disorders. He also has written more than 200 publications related to these conditions.
Dr. Chanan-Khan serves in leadership roles on several Mayo Clinic, national and international committees relating to these diseases.
Focus Areas
- Experimental therapeutics in CLL and multiple myeloma.
- Phase 1 drug development in B-cell hematologic malignancies.
- Preclinical models of drug resistance in multiple myeloma.
- Targeting Bcl-2 in B-cell malignant disease.
- Preclinical and clinical evaluation of immunomodulating agents, termed immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs).
- Monoclonal antibody therapies in multiple myeloma.
- Preclinical models of Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
Significance to Patient Care
Dr. Chanan-Khan is committed to developing new therapies for cancers including CLL and multiple myeloma. Dr. Chanan-Khan constantly strives to offer hope to patients with high-risk diseases, while never losing sight of the need to treat all patients with compassion and respect.
Professional Highlights
- America's Top Doctors, U.S. News and World Report, 2012, 2013.
- Chair, Scientific Program Committee, American Society of Clinical Oncology, 2010-2011.
- Best Doctors in America, Castle Connolly, 2007, 2009, 2010.
- Scholar in Clinical Research, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 2007.
- America's Top Doctors for Cancer, Castle Connolly, 2005.
- Clinician with the Best Bedside Manners, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, 2004.