This month, Hoosier Cancer Research Network (HCRN) features our member City of Hope and Joseph Chao, MD, a medical oncologist and researcher at the cancer center. Dr. Chao is a member of the HCRN Gastrointestinal Clinical Trial Working Group and has participated as an investigator on the HCRN GI16-288 and GI17-319 studies.

Research Interests and Expertise

I am a GI medical oncologist with a clinical focus on caring for patients with gastroesophageal cancers. My research interests involve clinical trials exploring novel therapeutics that are continually needed for this disease, particularly in advanced stages. Realizing that improving precision medicine and immunotherapy approaches requires in-depth knowledge of oncogenic mechanisms and tumor biology, I have extended my research efforts into translational analyses and biomarker development. Recent interests include work exploring more in-depth gastroesophageal cancer intrapatient intratumoral heterogeneity and its impact on the tumor immune microenvironment.

Educational Background

• Medical School: University of Illinois at Chicago
• Internal Medicine Residency: Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
• Oncology Fellowship: City of Hope/Harbor-UCLA Medical Centers

Little-Known Facts

• Dr. Chao enjoys salsa dancing.
• He is a diehard fan of Lakers basketball (since the days of Kareem and Magic).
• He recently adopted indoor online cycling classes for exercise.

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has conducted more than 210 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 350 publications. More than 8,500 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.