Dr Agnes Yong

• Biography/ Background

  Dr Agnes Yong completed undergraduate and post-graduate internal medicine training in the UK. She continued subspecialty training in haematology and stem cell transplantation at the Hammersmith Hospital, London with John Goldman and Jane Apperley as her mentors. Dr Yong then entered full-time research and her doctoral thesis was based on studies in Junia Melo’s laboratory using oligonucleotide microarray technology to dissect the molecular biological basis of the heterogeneity of CML. Subsequently, she did a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health with John Barrett. Her main research interests are to study the mechanism of inherent leukaemia immunogenicity and to find ways to enhance anti-leukaemia immune responses whether in the setting of an allogeneic stem cell transplant with the graft-versus-leukaemia effect, or in an autologous setting using vaccines against leukaemia-associated antigens. She has been involved in studies characterising immune responses to WT1, proteinase 3, PRAME and BMI-1 proteins, and is co-investigator on clinical trials of peptide vaccine therapy in leukaemia. She is interested in furthering cellular therapy for leukaemia treatment, and bringing to the clinic the use of expanded allogeneic natural killer cells to target leukaemia cells, including quiescent stem/progenitor cells in CML, following promising pre-clinical data. She will be initiating research into chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for myeloid leukaemias in collaboration with Professor Tim Hughes, Professor Michael Brown and Professor Angel Lopez.

  Dr Yong is currently the Deputy Director of the Clinical Haematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Department of Haematology, Royal Adelaide Hospital/SA Pathology.

• Qualifications

  MB BCh (Honours), The Queen’s University of  Belfast , UK

  PhD, Imperial College, London, UK 

  MRCP (UK), Royal College of Physicians of the UK

  FRCPath (UK), Royal College of Pathologists of the UK 

  FRCPA (Haematology), Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

• Teaching Interests

  Clinical teaching Year4/5 Medical Students on Haematology

  Tutorials on stem cell transplantation

• Research Interests

  Chronic myeloid leukaemia

  Stem cell transplantation

  Graft-versus-leukaemia effect

  Immunotherapy in haematological malignancy

• Research Funding

  Lady Tata Memorial Trust International Award for Leukaemia Research (2003-2004)

  Intra-mural program research support National Heart, Lung and Blood institute, NIH, USA (2005-2010)

  Sail for Cancer Research Fellowship  (2011-2015)

  Leukaemia Foundation grant-in-aid (2013) Characterisation of immune responses in CML patients on nilotinib and interferon alpha

  NHMRC APP 1059165  (2014-2017) Studies Directed at Maximising Achievement of Treatment Free Remission in CML 

  Beat Cancer Project/Cancer Council SA/SAHMRI (2015-2017) Advancing T cell therapy for leukaemia and glioblastoma  

• Publications

  H-index = 22          1802 citations (Scopus 4^th August 2017)

   

  Thesis

   

  Identification of genes responsible for the heterogeneity of chronic myeloid leukaemia, PhD, Imperial College, University of London, UK, 2005

   

  Papers

   

  1. A. Hughes, A.S.M. Yong. (2017) Immune effector recovery in Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia and Treatment Free Remission. Front Immunol; 8: 469

  2. A. Hughes, J. Clarson, C. Tang, L. Vidovic, D.L. White, T.P. Hughes, A.S.M. Yong. (2017) CML patients with deep molecular responses to TKI have restored immune effectors, decreased PD-1 and immune suppressors. Blood (A*); 129(9):1166-1176. Citations:2

  3. A. Hughes, J. Clarson, T. Gargett, W. Yu, M.P. Brown, A.F. Lopez, T.P. Hughes, A.S.M. Yong. (2017) Comment on “KB004, a first in class monoclonal antibody targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase EphA3, in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies: Results from a Phase I study”. Leuk Res; 55:55-57

  4. A. Lazaryan, T.Wang, S.R. Spellman, H. Wang, J. Pidala, T. Nishihori, M. Askar, R. Olsson, M. Oudshoorn, H. Abdel-Azim, A. Yong, et al. (2016) Human leukocyte antigen supertype matching after myeloablative hematopoietic cell transplantation with 7/8 matched unrelated donor allografts: A report from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research. Haematologica (B); 101(10):1267-1274. Citations:2

  5. M. Lewinsohn, A.L. Brown, L.M. Weinel, C. Phung, G. Rafidi, M.K. Lee, A.W. Schreiber, J. Feng, M. Babic, A. Yong, et al. (2016) Novel germline DDX41 mutations define families with a lower age of MDS/AML onset and lymphoid malignancies. Blood (A*); 127(8):1017-23. Citations:26

  6. K.M. Williams, K.W. Ah, M. Chen, A.L. Agwu, A.R. Chen, T. J. Walsh,…… A. Yong, M.R. Riches. (2016) The incidence, mortality and timing of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia after hematopoietic cell transplantation: a CIBMTR analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant (B); 51(4):573-580. Citations:7

  7. D.T. Yeung, C. Tang, L. Vidovic, D.L. White, S. Branford, T.P. Hughes, A.S. Yong. (2015) KIR2DL5B genotype predicts outcomes in CML patients treated with response-directed sequential imatinib/nilotinib strategy. Blood (A*); 126(25):2720-3. Citations:2

  8. A.S.M. Yong, E. Brissot, S. Rubenstein, B.N. Savani. M. Mohty. (2015) Transplant to treatment-free remission: the evolving view of “cure” in chronic myeloid leukaemia. Expert Reviews in Hematology; 8(6):785-797. Citations:1

  9. Z. Li, P. Mewawalla, P. Stratton, A.S.M. Yong, B. E. Shaw, S. Hashmi, M. Jagasia, M. Mohty, N. S. Majhail, B. N. Savani, A. Rovó (2015) Sexual health in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Cancer; 121(23):4124-31. Citations:3

  10. N.A. Jain, S. Ito, X. Tian,  R. Kurlander, … A.S.M. Yong (2015) Clinical and biological predictors of outcome following relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant (B); 50(2):189-96. Citations:2

  11. Y. Inamoto, N. Shah, B. Savani, B. Shaw, A. Abraham, I. Ahmed, G. Akpek, Y…. A. Yong, C. Duncan, M. Flowers, N. Majhail (2015) Secondary solid cancer screening following hematopoietic cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant (B); 50(8): 1013-1023. Citations:18

  12. S. Lapusan, A.S.M. Yong, et al (2015). Achieving early molecular response in chronic myeloid leukaemia in chronic phase to reduce the risk of progression:clinical relevance of the 3- and 6-month time points. Eur J Haem (B); 95 (2):103-12. Citations:1  

  13. E. Nievergall, H.S. Ramshaw, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2014) Monoclonal antibody targeting of IL-3 receptor α with CSL362 effectively depletes CML progenitor and stem cells. Blood (A*);123(8):1218-28. Citations:27

  14. K. Rezvani, A.S.M. Yong, S. Mielke, et al. (2012) Lymphodepletion is permissive to the development of spontaneous T cell responses to the self-antigen PR-1 early after allogeneic stem cell transplantation and in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia undergoing WT1 peptide vaccination following chemotherapy. Cancer Immunology Immunotherapy (B);  61(7):1125-36. Citations:13

  15. M.J. Olnes, A. Shenoy, B. Weinstein, L. Pfannes, K. Loeliger, Z. Tucker, X. Tian, M. Kwak, F. Wilhelm, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2012) Directed therapy for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) by suppression of cyclin D1 with ON 01910.Na. Leuk Res(B);36(8):982-9. Citations:33

  16. A.S.M. Yong, N. Stephens, G. Weber, et al. (2011) Improved outcome following allogeneic stem cell transplantation in chronic myeloid leukemia is associated with higher expression of BMI-1 and immune responses to BMI-1 protein. Leukemia (A*);25(4):629-637. Citations: 20

  17. K. Rezvani, A.S.M. Yong, S. Mielke, et al. (2011) Repeated PR1 and WT1 peptide vaccination in Montanide-adjuvant fails to induce sustained high-avidity, epitope-specific CD8+ T-cells in myeloid malignancies. Haematologica (B);  96 (3):432-440. Citations: 64

  18. E.M. Sloand, J.J.Melenhorst, Z.C.G. Tucker, L. Pfannes, J.M. Benchley, A. Yong, et al. (2011) T cell immune responses to Wilms tumor 1 protein in myelodysplasia responsive to immunotherapy. Blood (A*);117 (9): 2691-9. Citations: 46

  19. A.S.M. Yong, K. Keyvanfar, N. Hensel, et al. (2009) Primitive quiescent CD34+ cells in chronic myeloid leukemia are targeted by in vitro expanded natural killer cells, which are functionally enhanced by bortezomib. Blood (A*); 113:875-882. Citations: 43

  20. K. Rezvani, A.S.M. Yong, A. Tawab, et al. (2009) Polyclonal memory CD8+ T-cell responses to PRAME-specific peptides occur in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute and chronic myeloid leukemia. Blood (A*);113: 2245-2255. Citations: 76

  21. A.S.M. Yong, J.V. Melo (2009) The impact of gene profiling in chronic myeloid leukemia. Best Pract Res Clin Haem (C);  22(2):181-190. Citations: 19

  22. A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2008) Hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors of chronic myeloid leukemia express leukemia-associated antigens: implications for the graft-versus-leukemia effect and peptide vaccine-based immunotherapy. Leukemia (A*);22:1721-1727. Citations: 34

  23. M. Mohty, R.M. Szydlo, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2008) Association between BMI-1 expression, acute graft-versus-host disease and outcome following allogeneic stem cell transplantation from HLA-identical siblings in chronic myeloid leukemia. Blood (A*);112:2163-2166. Citations: 14

  24. K. Rezvani, A.S.M. Yong, S. Mielke, et al. (2008) Leukemia-associated antigen specific T-cell responses following combined PR1 and WT1 peptide vaccination in patients with myeloid malignancies. Blood (A*);111:236-242. Citations: 232 .

  25. B.N. Savani, S. Mielke, S. Adams, M. Uribe, K. Rezvani, A. S. M. Yong, et al. (2007) Rapid natural killer cell recovery determines outcome after T cell depleted HLA-identical stem cell transplantation in patients with myeloid leukemias but not with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Leukemia (A*); 21(10):2145-2152. Citations: 94

  26. B. N. Savani, S. Mielke, K. Rezvani, A. Montero, A. Yong, et al. (2007) Absolute lymphocyte count on day 30 is a surrogate for robust hematopoietic recovery and strongly predicts outcome after T-cell depleted allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Biol Blood Marrow Tr (A);13 (10):1216-1223. Citations: 64

  27. K. Rezvani, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2007) Graft-versus-leukemia effects associated with detectable Wilms tumor-1 specific lymphocytes following allogeneic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Blood (A*);110(6):1924-1932. Citations: 112

  28. S. Mielke, K. Rezvani, B.N. Savani, R. Nunes, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2007) Reconstitution of foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) after CD25-depleted allotransplantation in elderly patients and association with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). Blood (A*);110(5):1689-1697. Citations: 58

  29. A.S.M. Yong, K. Rezvani, et al. (2007) High PR3 or ELA2 expression by CD34+ cells in advanced phase chronic myeloid leukaemia is associated with improved outcome following allogeneic stem cell transplantation and may improve PR1 peptide driven graft-versus-leukemia effects. Blood (A*);110(2):770-775. Citations: 31

  30. M.V. Mohty, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2007) The polycomb group BMI-1 gene is a molecular marker for predicting prognosis of chronic myeloid leukaemia. Blood (A*); 110 (1):380-383. Citations: 94

  31. E.M. Sloand, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2006) Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor preferentially stimulates proliferation of monosomy 7 cells bearing the isoform IV receptor. Proc Nat Acad Sci (A*);103(39):14483-14488. Citations: 72

  32. A.S.M. Yong, R.M. Szydlo, et al. (2006) Molecular profiling of CD34+ cells identifies low expression of CD7, along with high expression of proteinase 3 or elastase, as predictors of longer survival in patients with CML. Blood (A*); 107(1):205-212. Citations: 93

  33. D.J. Barnes, D. Panaiologou, E. Panousopoulou, B. Schultheis, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2005) Bcr-Abl Expression levels determine the rate of development of resistance to imatinib mesylate in chronic myeloid leukemia. Can Res (A*); 65(19):8912-8919.Citations: 120

  34. T.I. Mughal, A. Yong, et al. (2001) Molecular studies in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in remission 5 years after allogeneic stem cell transplant define the risk of subsequent relapse. Br J Haematol (A);115: 569-574. Citations: 53

  35. C. Craddock, R. Szydlo, F. Dazzi, E. Olavarria, K. Cwynarski, A. Yong, et al. (2001) Cytomegalovirus seropositivity adversely influences outcome after T- depleted unrelated donor transplant in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: the case for tailored graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis. Br J Haematol (A); 112:228-236. Citations: 80

  36. H.K. Gill, S.K. Ten, J.S. Dhaliwal, S.K. Tan, H. Roshida, A. Yasmin, Z. Zubaidah, B.A. Nasuruddin, A.S.M. Yong, et al. (2000) The TEL-AML1 translocation in two paediatric cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Int Med Res J;  4:55-61

  37. F. Dazzi, R.M. Szydlo, N.C.P. Cross, C. Craddock, J. Kaeda, K. Cwynarski, E. Olavarria, A. Yong, et al. (2000) Durability of response following donor lymphocyte infusions for patients who relapse after allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic myeloid leukaemia. Blood (A*);96:2712-2716. Citations: 196

  38. A.S.M. Yong, J.M. Goldman. (1999) Relapse of chronic myeloid leukaemia 14 years after allogeneic bone marrow transplant. Bone Marrow Transplant (B);

      23:827-828. Citations: 25

  39. A.S.M. Yong, et al. (1998) Epidemiology of aplastic anaemia in the state of Sabah, Malaysia. Med J Malaysia; 53:59–62. Citations: 7
  40. B.G. Murphy, A. Yong, J.H. Brown, P.T. McNamee. (1995) Effect of immunosuppressive drug regime on cardiovascular risk profile following kidney transplantation. Atherosclerosis (A); 116:241-245. Citations: 12
  41. A.S.M. Yong, et al. (1994) Cicatricial pemphigoid presenting as upper airways obstruction. Br J Clin Prac;48:47-48. Citations: 5

       

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

• Professional Associations

   Member of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG)

  Member of the American Society of Hematology (ASH)

  Member of the American Society of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (ASBMT)

  Member of the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplantation research  (CIBMTR) Working Committee for Chronic Leukaemia and Immunobiology

Entry last updated: Friday, 4 Aug 2017