Yuhchyau Chen, Ph.D, M.D.

Contact Information:

Clinical Specialty

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Chen joined the Department of Radiation Oncology in 1995 after completing her Fellowship with the Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts General Hospital. Most of her work has focused on optimization of chemoradiation treatment for lung cancer, and also on the investigation of radiation-induced side effects from lung cancer treatment. Dr. Chen is dedicated to the cooperative efforts of cancer researchers: as Medical Director, she is an active leader in clinical trials within the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, and, at the national level, she has been a valued member of/on the Lung Committees for the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) as well as the GYN Committee of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG).

Dr. Chen also has expertise/interests in Head & Neck tumors, cervical cancer, and upper esophageal cancer. Her experiences at Massachusetts General Hospital, with the receiving multimodality input from ENT surgeons at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, has prepared her for a comprehensive approach to cancer treatment. Her clinical work and research at the University of Rochester has made made her an expert in hyperfractionated radiotherapy, chemoradiation treatment, as well as organ preservation for Head & Neck tumors, especially for tongue cancer, cancer of the tongue and tongue base, and for laryngeal cancer. To make cancer treatment better for tomorrow, Dr. Chen has been involved in clinical trials within the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center as well as national studies through Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and Southwest Oncology Group.
Certifications: Diplomat, National Board of Medical Examiners Certification, American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology.

Research Overview

Selected Honors

• The Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology: Teacher of the Year Award, 2001
• University of Rochester, Dept. of Medicine: Buswell Fellowship, 1997-1998
• University of Rochester, Dept. of Radiation Oncology: George Cassarette Fellowship, 1995-1996
• American Cancer Society: Fellowship, Clinical Oncology, 1993-1994
• University of Washington School of Medicine: Medical Student Research Training Grant, 1989-1990
• University of Washington School of Medicine: Course Honors, 1986-1990
• National Institute of Health: Genetic Approaches to Aging Training Grant, 1982-1986
• University of Washington School of Medicine: Graduate School Research Assistantship, 1983-1984
• University of Washington School of Medicine: Research Assistantship in Surgery, 1982-1983

Education

• Massachusetts General Hospital: Resident, Radiation Oncology, 1991-1995
• Harvard University School of Medicine: Clinical Fellow, 1991-1995
• Virginia Mason Hospital: Internship, Internal Medicine, 1990-1991
• University of Washington School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, 1990
• University of Washington School of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, Experimental Pathology, 1988
• National Taiwan University, Bachelor of Science, 1976

Academic Appointments

• Strong Memorial Hospital: Medical Director, Department of Radiation Oncology, 2005-present
• Strong Memorial Hospital: Medical Faculty Council, 2005-present
• Strong Memorial Hospital: Director of Clinical Investigation, Department of Radiation Oncology, 2001-present
• Strong Memorial Hospital: Attending Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Oncology, 1995-present
• Highland Hospital: Clinical Associate Attending Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Oncology, 2001-present
• Sands Cancer Center: Courtesy Attending Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Oncology, 2001-present

Hospital Appointments

• University of Rochester School of Medicine: Professor, 2006-present
• University of Rochester School of Medicine: Associate Professor, 2002-2006
• University of Rochester School of Medicine: Assistant Professor, 1995-2002

Major Committees

• American Society of Therapeutic Oncology: Abstract reviewer for Annual Meeting and Program Committee, 2004
• American Society of Therapeutic Oncology: Abstract reviewer for Annual Meeting and Program Committee, 2003
• Invited Oral Board Examiner: American Board of Radiology, Louisville, KY, June 8-12, 2002.
• Invited Oral Board Examiner: American Board of Radiology, Louisville, KY, June 9-12, 2001.
• Reviewer and member: Peer Review Committee of University of Rochester Cancer Center. December 2000 - present.

Publications

1. Raghu G, Chen Y, Rusch V, and Rabinovitch P. Cycling and noncycling diploid fibroblasts cultured from normal and fibrotic human lungs. Am Rev Respir Dis. 133S: A256, 1986.
2. Raghu G, Chen Y, Rusch V, and Rabinovitch P. Cell cycle kinetics of human diploid pulmonary fibroblasts in interstitial lung disease. Clin Res. 34:79A, 1986.
3. Rabinovitch PS, Kubbies M, Chen YC, Schindler D, Hoehn H. BrdU-Hoechst flow cytometry: A unique tool for quantitative cell cycle analysis. Exp Cell Res. 174:309-318, 1988.
4. Raghu G, Chen Y, Rusch V, and Rabinovitch PS. Differential proliferation of cultured cells from normal and fibrotic human lungs. Am Rev Respir Dis. 138:703-708, 1988.
5. Chen Y and Rabinovitch PS. Platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor I regulate specific cell cycle parameters of human diploid fibroblasts in serum-free culture. J Cell Physiol., 140:59-67, 1989.
6. Chen Y and Rabinovitch PS. Mitogen response and cell cycle kinetics of Swiss 3T3 cells in defined medium. Difference from human fibroblasts and effects of cell density. Exp Cell Res., 190:145-150, 1990.
7. Chen Y and Rabinovitch PS. Altered cell cycle responses to insulin-like growth factor I, but not platelet-derived growth factor and epidermal growth factor, in senescing human fibroblasts. J Cell Physiol., 144:18-25, 1990.
8. Chen Y, Richards TL, Izenberg S, Golden R, Williams DL, Nelson JA and Steen RG. In vivo phosphorus NMR spectroscopy of skin using a crossover surface coil. Magnet Resonance Med., 23:46-54, 1992.
9. Kubbies M, Hoehn H, Schindler D, Chen YC and Rabinovitch PS. Cell cycle analysis via BrdU-Hoechst flow cytometry: principles and applications. In: Flow Cytometry: Advanced Research and Clinical Applications, Volume II. CRC Press, Inc. 1992.
10. Tamler B, Wang CC, Efird JT, Chen Y, Lewis A, Zlotecki R. Is photon irradiation effective in managing adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck? Int J Radiat. Oncol Biol Phys. 27S:78, 1993.
11. Poot M, Hoehn H, Kubbies M, Grossmann A, Chen Y and Rabinovitch PS. Cell cycle analysis using continuous bromodeoxyuridine labeling and Hoechst 33258-ethidium bromide bivariate flow cytometry. Methods Cell Biol. 41:327-340, 1994.
12. Chen Y, Williams J, Sarac T, Riggs P, Green R, Rubin P. Radiation inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia of arterial injury (angioplasty). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 32S: A1034, 1995.
13. C Nakamura, Y Chen, B DuBeshter, C Angel, A Dawson, and W Casey. Local therapy for small cell carcinoma of the cervix. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 36:326, A2100. 1996.
14. W Casey, Y Chen, B DuBeshter, C Angel, A Dawson, T Smudzin, and P Rubin. Adjuvant radiotherapy for uterine papillary serous carcinoma: whole abdominopelvic or pelvic irradiation? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 36:329, A2106. 1996.
15. Chen Y, Yu Y, McDonald S, Nakamura C, Philip A, Ojomo K, Hernady E, Williams JP, Smudzin T, Johnstone D, Feins R, Speiser BL, and Rubin P. Bronchial mucosal tolerance following high dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy: clinical and laboratory correlates in assessment of late complications. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 36:352, A2152. 1996.
16. Rubin P, Chen Y, and Brasacchio R. Staging and Classification of Cancer: A Unified Approach. In: Principles and Practice of Radiation Oncology. Perez CA and Brady LW (eds). 3rd Edition. Philadelphia, Lippincott-Raven 1997.
17. Chen Y, Yu Y, Nakamura C, McDonald S, Philip A, Smudzin T, Johnstone D, Feins R, Rubin P. Risk estimate of fatal hemoptysis following high dose rate endobronchial brachytherapy using dose-volume and dose length analysis. Radiotherapy Oncol. 43:S73, 1997.
18. Chen Y, Rubin P, McDonald S, Finkelstein J, Smudzin T , Hernady E and J Williams. IL-6 is a potential marker for radiation pneumonitis: A prospective clinical study of circulating cytokine in predicting radiation pulmonary injury. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 39:320, 1997.
19. Chen Y, Rubin P, Smudzin T, Hernady E, Williams J, Okunieff P. IL-6 and circulating lymphocytes in the modulation of radiation pulmonary injury. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 42 (S):167, 1998.
20. Kang Y, Chen Y, Casey W, Smudzin T, Rubin P, Angel C, DuBeshter B. Can combination vaginal HDR brachytherapy and lymphadenectomy replace adjuvant pelvic XRT for early stage endometrial cancer? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 42(S):318, 1998.
21. Okunieff P, Barrett JA, Phang SE, Li A, Constine LS, Williams JP, Rubin P, Wang X, Wu T, Chen Y, Ding I. Circulating Basic Fibroblast growth factor declines during Cy/TBI bone marrow transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant. 23:1117-1121,1999.
22. Okunieff P, Sundararaman S, Chen Y. Biology of large dose per fraction radiation therapy. In: Current Clinical Oncology: Intraoperative Irradiation-Techniques and Results. Gunderson LL (ed). Totowa, NJ, Humanna Press, Inc. pp 25-46, 1999.
23. Chen Y, Ding I, Williams J, Sun, J. Hernady E, Smudzin T, Keng P, Rubin P, Okunieff P. Circulating humoral factors and lymphocyte subsets as markers for radiation pulmonary injury. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 45:152, 1999.
24. Maslovsky O, Chen Y, Constine L, Smudzin T, Keng P, Okunieff P, Rubin P. The impact of thoracic radiotherapy on peripheral blood cells and lymphocyte subsets. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 45:385, 1999.
25. Chen Y, Ding I, Williams J, Sun, J. Hernady E, Smudzin T, Keng P, Rubin P, Okunieff P. Radiation pneumonitis: a host response mediated by cytokines and immune cells. Lung Cancer 25:247, 1999.
26. Keng PC, Okunieff P, Chen Y. Low Dose Taxol/Taxotere Radiosensitization for human Lung Cancer Cells Is Schedule Dependent. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 48:272, 2000.
27. Einstein DB, Rubin P, Okunieff P, Smudzin T, Chen Y. Recovery of pulmonary function in patients receiving thoracic radiotherapy for thoracic malignancies. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 48:131, 2000.
28. Chen Y, Pandya K, Okunieff P, Feins R, Keng P, Smudzin T, Raubertas R, Rosenblatt J. Pulsed paclitaxel radiosensitization for thoracic malignancy: A therapeutic approach based on pre-clinical research of human lung cancer cells. Lung Cancer Cells. Lung Cancer 29:125, 2000.
29. Chen Y, Pandya K, Raubertas R, Rosenblatt J, Keng PC, Feins R, Smudzin T, Okunieff P. Low dose Pulsed Paclitaxel and Concurrent Radiation for Thoracic malignancies: A Phase I/II Clinical Trial Based on Cell Cycle Studies of Human Lung Cancer Cells. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 48:326, 2000.
30. Alan C, Aisenberg T, and Chen Y. The Lymphomas. In: Clinical Radiation Oncology: Indications, Techniques, and Results. (2nd) CC Wang (ed). New York, Wiley-Liss, 2000.
31. Keng P, Chen Y, Okunieff P. Comparative Analysis of Docetaxel and Paclitaxel: Cell cycle and Radiosensitization Effects in human Cancer Cell Lines. Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol 19:662a, 2000.
32. Chen Y, Pandya K, Feins R, Martin B, Keng P, Smudzin T, Raubertas R, Rosenblatt J, Okunieff P. Pulsed paclitaxel radiosensitization for thoracic malignancy: A therapeutic approach based on pre-clinical research of human lung cancer cells. Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol, 19:514a, 2000.
33. Chen Y, Pandya K, Keng P, Raubertas R, Flannery M, Rosenblatt J, Johnstone D, Smudzin T, Okunieff P, Bennett JM. Comparable toxicity and quality of life for elderly patients receiving concurrent pulsed low-dose paclitaxel chemoradiation for non-small cell lung cancer. Proceedings of ASCO: 20: #2858, 2001.
34. Chen Y, Ding I, Pandya K, et al. Pulsed low-dose chemotherapy schedule suppresses circulating angiogenic factor bFGF during thoracic radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phy s 51(supple 1): 90, 2001.
35. Chen Y, Rubin P, Williams J, Hernady E, Smudzin T, and Okunieff P. Circulating IL-6 as a predictor of radiation pneumonitis. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 49:641-648, 2001.
36. Chen Y, Pandya K, Keng P, Feins R, Raubertas R, Smudzin T, Rosenblatt J, and Okunieff P. Schedule Dependent Pulsed Low-dose Paclitaxel Radiosensitization for Thoracic Malignancy. Am J Clin Oncol. 24:432-437, 2001.
37. Chen Y, Taghian A, Rosenberg AE, O'Connell J, Okunieff P, Suit HD. The significance of histologic tumor necrosis after radiation. Int J Cancer (Radiat Oncol Invest) 96:224-240, 2001.
38. Chen Y, Williams JP, Ding I, Hernady E, Lu W-M, Smudzin T, Finkelstein JN, Okunieff P. Radiation pneumonitis and early circulatory cytokine markers. Semin Rad Onc. 12:26-33, 2002.
39. Chen Y, Pandya K, Keng P, Watson T, Smudzin T, Egorin MJ. Pharmacokinetic of low-dose paclitaxel: toxicity of phase I study and implication for radiosensitization for non-small cell lung cancer. Proceedings of ASCO, 21: #477, 2002.
40. Liu W, Chen Y, Wang W, Keng P, Finkelstein J, Hu D, Liang L, Guo M, Fenton, B, Okunieff, P, Ding I. Combination of radiation and celebrex (celecoxib) reduce mammary and lung tumor growth. Am J Clin Oncol (CCT) 26: (4 suppl 2):S103-S109, 2003.
41. Chen Y, Pandya K, Keng PC, Johnstone D, Li J, Lee Y-J, Smudzin T, Okunieff P. Phase I/II Clinical Trial Using Pulsed Low-Dos Paclitaxel Radiosensitization for Thoracic Malignancies: A therapeutic approach based on pre-clinical research of human lung cancer cells. Clin Cancer Res, 9: 969-975, 2003.
42. Chen Y, Okunieff P, Ahrendt SA. Translational research in lung cancer. Semin Surg Oncol, 21:205-219, 2003.
43. Turrisi AT, Scott CB, Rusch VR, Albain KS, Shepherd FA, Smith C, Chen Y, Livingston R, Gandara DR, Darling G, Johnson DH, Green MR. Randomized trial of chemoradiotherapy to 61 Gy [no S] versus chemoradiotherapy to 45 Gy followed by surgery [S] using cisplatin etoposide in stage IIIa non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Intergroup trial 0139, RTOG (9309). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 57 (Suppl): S125 (abst # 4), 2003. (ASTRO Plenary)
44. Williams J, Chen Y, Rubin P, Finkelstein J, Okunieff P. The biological basis of a comprehensive grading system for the adverse effects of cancer treatment. Semin Radiat Oncol. 13:182-188, 2003.
45. Dertinger S, Chen Y, Miller RK, Brewer KJ, Smudzin T, Torous DK, Hall NE, Olvany KA, Murante FG, Tometsko CR. Micronucleated CD71-positive reticulocytes: A blood-based endpoint of cytogenetic damage in humans. Mutation Res 542:77-87,2003.
46. Chen Y, Okunieff P. Radiation and third generation chemotherapy. Hematol Oncol Clin N Am 18:55-80,2004.
47. Dertinger,S. D.; Camphausen,K.; Macgregor,J. T.; Bishop,M. E.; Torous,D. K.; Avlasevich,S.; Cairns,S.; Tometsko,C. R.; Menard,C.; Muanza,T.; Chen,Y.; Miller,R. K.; Cederbrant,K.; Sandelin,K.; Ponten,I.; Bolcsfoldi,G.;. Three-color labeling method for flow cytometric measurement of cytogenetic damage in rodent and human blood. Environmental and molecular mutagenesis 44 (2004): 427-435.
48. Okunieff,P.; Cornelison,T.; Mester,M.; Liu,W.; Ding,I.; Chen,Y.; Zhang,H.; Williams,J. P.; Finkelstein,J.;. Mechanism and modification of gastrointestinal soft tissue response to radiation: role of growth factors. Int.J.Radiat.Oncol.Biol.Phys. 62 (2005): 273-278.
49. Okunieff,P.; Fenton,B.; Chen,Y.;. Past, present, and future of oxygen in cancer research. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology 566 (2005): 213-222.
50. Chen,Y.; Hyrien,O.; Williams,J.; Okunieff,P.; Smudzin,T.; Rubin,P.;. Interleukin (IL)-1A and IL-6: applications to the predictive diagnostic testing of radiation pneumonitis. International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 62 (2005): 260-266.
51. Chen,Y.; Trotti,A.; Coleman,C. N.; Machtay,M.; Mirimanoff,R. O.; Hay,J.; O'brien,P. C.; El-Gueddari,B.; Salvajoli,J. V.; Jeremic,B.;. Adverse event reporting and developments in radiation biology after normal tissue injury: International Atomic Energy Agency consultation. International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics 64 (2006): 1442-1451.
52. Dertinger SD, Miller RK, Brewer K, Smudzin T, Torous DK, Roberts DJ, Avlasevich SL, Bryce SM, Sugnan S, Chen Y. Automated human blood micronucleated reticulocyte measurements for rapid assessment of chromosomal damage. Mutat Res 626 (2007): 111-119.
53. Dertinger SD, Tsai Y, Nowak I, Hyrien O, Sun H, Bemis JC, Torous DK, Keng P, Palis J, Chen Y. Reticulocyte and micronucleated reticulocyte responses to gamma irradiation: dose-response and time-course profiles measured by flow cytometry. Mutat Res 634 (2007): 119-125.
54. Chambers MS, Jones CU, Biel MA, Weber RS, Hodge KM, Chen Y, Holland JM, Ship JA, Vitti R, Armstrong I, Garden AS, Haddad R. Open-label, long-term safety study of cevimeline in the treatment of postirradiation xerostomia. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 69 (2007): 1369-1376.
55. Okunieff P, Chen Y, Maguire DJ, Huser AK. Molecular markers of radiation-related normal tissue toxicity. Cancer Metastasis Rev 27 (2008): 363-374.
56. Zhang H, Hyrien O, Pandya KJ, Keng PC, Chen Y. Tumor response kinetics after schedule-dependent paclitaxel chemoradiation treatment for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: a model for low-dose chemotherapy radiosensitization. J Thorac Oncol 3 (2008): 563-568.
57. Chen Y, Pandya KJ, Feins R, Johnstone DW, Watson T, Smudzin T, Keng PC. Toxicity profile and pharmacokinetic study of a Phase I low-dose schedule-dependent radiosensitizing paclitaxel chemoradiation regimen for inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 71 (2008): 407-413.