Mitchell Cheung Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Doylestown, Pennsylvania, United States

Malignant mesothelioma is a highly aggressive malignancy that arises from the serosal lining of the pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial cavities. Epidemiological studies have established that exposure to asbestos fibers is the primary cause of mesothelioma. In the USA, ~2,500 new cases are diagnosed annually, and the incidence of this disease is expected to increase over the next two decades due to past occupational exposure to asbestos. Ongoing studies include performing a wide variety of genetic, gene expression, and functional studies to discover important signaling pathways involved in malignant mesothelioma tumorigenesis. For example, I identified and characterized the BAP1 germline mutations and genomic rearrangements in two families with high incidence of mesotheliomas (Nat. Genet. 2011) as well as in sporadic tumors and cell lines. In collaboration with researchers and clinicians outside of Fox Chase Cancer Center, we have identified a number of other families with germline BAP1 mutations and high incidences of mesotheliomas, uveal and cutaneous melanomas, and kidney cancers (Cancer Genet. 2013; Can Res. 2015, Can. Let. 2015). Due to the global interest in this new cancer predisposition syndrome, I also played a major role in developing a CLIA approved, BAP1 mutation assay at Fox Chase Cancer Center. I received a Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation (MARF) grant in 2013 to fund my work in characterizing two different Bap1 mutation knock-in mouse models. Mutant mice are being determined whether there are differences in susceptibility to spontaneous tumor development and asbestos induced mesotheliomas. Another aim of the MARF grant was to identify small molecule inhibitors that can specifically target mesotheliomas that have somatic BAP1 mutations. Other ongoing projects include elucidating the role of BAP1 in mesothelioma tumorigenesis through BAP1 stable knockdown or overexpression studies in mesothelioma cell lines and normal mesothelial cells.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Hershey, Pa

* Hands on experience in oncology research and characterization of affected signaling pathways using molecular biology techniques.* Proficiency in the identification and validation of drug targets.* Experience with development of cellular assays to study effects of siRNA and drug compounds.* Ability to manage multiple projects, and to plan, interprete, and troubleshoot experiments