CAHON Connect December Newsletter
December 2025
Message from the President and Chair of Board
Dear CAHON Members, Colleagues, and Friends,
As we close out 2025, we do so with deep gratitude, pride, and optimism. This year marked a truly special milestone for CAHON—our 20th anniversary—an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and to reaffirm the values that continue to guide us: unity, service, mentorship, and excellence.
Over the past two decades, CAHON has grown from a shared vision into a vibrant, nationwide community of more than 400 members. In 2025 alone, we witnessed remarkable achievements across all facets of our organization: expanded educational programming with CME-accredited webinars, record engagement at our flagship meetings, continued growth in mentorship and career development initiatives, and sustained support for trainees and early-career investigators through our awards programs. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our CAHON board, executive committee members, volunteers, corporate partners, and members who give generously of their time and expertise.
This year also reminded us of the importance of community and legacy. We mourn the loss of Dr. Edward Chu—an extraordinary physician-scientist, leader, and longtime supporter of CAHON—whose impact on oncology and mentorship will continue to inspire future generations. In this anniversary year, we are also proud to introduce CAHON Honorary Lifetime Membership, a new category that recognizes individuals whose pioneering contributions have had a lasting, global impact on hematology, oncology, and cancer research. This distinction reflects CAHON’s commitment to honoring excellence, service, and legacy across generations.
As we look ahead to 2026, we are energized by new initiatives, expanded opportunities for engagement, and the next chapter of CAHON’s growth. Whether through volunteering on committees, participating in mentorship programs, attending educational events, or supporting CAHON through partnership and philanthropy, every contribution strengthens our collective impact. As the year comes to a close, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and hope you are able to enjoy meaningful time with family and friends.
Together, we are CAHON. Together, we make a difference.
With gratitude and optimism,
Liang Deng, MD, PhD
CAHON President
Jing-Zhou Hou, MD, PhD
CAHON Board Chair
Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON)
Featured News
Celebrating CAHON's 20th Anniversary!
This year, the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON) proudly celebrated 20 years of Unity, Care, and Collaboration.
To mark this special milestone, we’ve created a short video that captures the heart of our story. The people, the progress, and the purpose that continue to guide us forward.
Watch the 20th Anniversary video here.
CAHON Mourns the Loss of Dr. Edward Chu
The Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON) is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of colleague, friend and 2016 CAHON Lifetime Achievement Winner, Edward Chu, MD, MMS. Dr. Chu was an inspiring Chinese American leader, role model and longtime friend and supporter to CAHON. He will be remembered for his brilliant contributions and generous spirit.
Dr. Chu was the director of the Montefiore Einstein Comprehensive Cancer Center, vice president of cancer medicine, and the Carol and Roger Einiger Professor of Cancer Medicine.
Born on December 19, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Chu dedicated his life to advancing cancer medicine and mentoring medical professionals. Raised in Barrington and Providence, Rhode Island, he earned his B.S. at Brown University and his M.D. from Brown’s School of Medicine. He had a distinguished career as a physician-scientist, holding tenured positions and leadership roles at Yale School of Medicine and Yale Cancer Center, and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, where he was chief of hematology-oncology and deputy director of the Hillman Cancer Center. He was committed to providing compassionate care to his patients and advancing his research to improve the treatment for colorectal and GI cancers.
Dr. Chu joined Montefiore Einstein in the fall of 2020. Under his remarkable leadership, Dr. Chu transformed the cancer center, in a mere two years, into a fully integrated, unified cancer enterprise, which resulted in their first comprehensive status designation from the National Cancer Institute.
His other seminal contribution to oncology is on clinical pharmacology, particularly on early chemotherapy drugs that provided foundations for later discoveries of cancer therapies as we know them today. His “Physicians’ Cancer Chemotherapy Drug Manual” is used by most oncology fellows to this day.
Dr. Chu will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and to his close colleagues and friends.
Sincerely,
The Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network
Call for Volunteers!
It’s that time of year again! CAHON invites all current members to get involved and help shape the future of our organization by volunteering to serve on one of our committees. These committees play a vital role in advancing CAHON’s mission and achieving our strategic goals.
The next term runs from June 2026 through May 2028. We’re looking for passionate members who are ready to contribute their time, talent, and expertise to support CAHON’s continued growth and success.
Join us in making a lasting impact. Your experience and perspective can help CAHON reach new heights!
Use the form below to indicate your interest.
- Sign up Today -
Committee Corner
Academic Committee
Hong Zheng, MD, PhD (Chair)
Wanqing Iris Zhi, MD, PhD (Co-Chair)
Minggui Pan, MD, PhD
Huichun Zhan, MD, MS
Elizabeth Budde, MD, PhD
Jeffrey Pu, MD, PhD
The Academic Committee has demonstrated remarkable progress from 2021–2025, achieving an impressive 200% increase in awards. In addition, the committee partnered with the Event & Education Committee to host CAHON’s inaugural Tumor Board on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
In case you missed it, the event was recorded for CAHON Members, and can be accessed by logging into your account here.
Career Development Committee
Hongtao Liu, MD, PhD (Chair)
Mary Li, MD, PhD (Co-Chair)
Jane Liu, MD
Lei Deng, MD
Haoran Li, MD, PhD
Eric Chen, MD, PhD
The Career Development Committee, in collaboration with the Event & Education Committee, hosted an informal career development session at the New York Oncology Forum. The session provided attendees with an opportunity to engage in open discussions, share experiences, and seek guidance on career pathways in a relaxed and supportive setting.
If you are interested in signing up as a mentee or a mentor, please email info@cahon.org for more information.
Clinical Practice Committee
Shuang Fu, MD, PhD (Chair)
Joyce Huang, MD, PhD (Co-Chair)
Yongli Ji, MD, PhD
Vincent The-Luc Ma, MD
Fengming Zhong, MD, PhD
The Clinical Practice Committee has been working hard to plan the 2026 COF. Join us on February 28 at St. Pete Beach, Florida!
Learn more and Register: Event Details
Clinical Research Committee
Tian Zhang, MD, MHS (Chair)
Bo Wang, MD (Co-Chair)
Ronan Hsieh, MD, MS
Jingsong Zhang, MD, PhD
Feng-ming (Spring) Kong, MD, PhD
Xiaolin Zhu, MD, PhD
The Clinical Research Committee focused on behind-the-scenes efforts, particularly mentoring the next generation of hematology and oncology researchers. Their ongoing mentorship and support of early-career clinicians and researchers remains a vital contribution to our mission.
Event and Education Committee
Yucai Wang, MD, PhD (Chair)
Christine Ye, MD, MS (Co-Chair)
Richard J. Lin, MD, PhD
Charles Jiang, MD, MPH
Gary Lu, MD, PhD
Reflecting on 2025, the Event and Education Committee achieved several meaningful milestones. They successfully added CME accreditation to two new webinar series, Post-ASH and Post-ASCO, and are already preparing for the 2026 Post-ASH virtual update, scheduled for Wednesday, January 28th, from 7- 9 PM EST.
The committee also partnered with the Academic Committee to deliver CAHON’s inaugural Tumor Board on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. In addition, they collaborated with other committees on CAHON’s flagship meetings and helped spotlight career development opportunities throughout these events.
For those who missed the Tumor Board session, the event was recorded for CAHON Members, and can be accessed by logging into your account here.
Fellow Committee
Zhengrui Xiao, MD (Chair)
Chen Zhang, MD (Co-Chair)
Xiao Hu, MD, MPH
Tien-Chan Hsieh, MD
Emily Liang, MD
Xiaocao Xu (Haze), MD
Looking ahead to April 2026, the Fellow Committee will host another virtual webinar designed to help fellows prepare for their applications. More details will be shared in February!
Industry Committee
Jianda Yuan, MD, PhD (Chair)
Ke Liu, MD, PhD (Co-Chair)
Yufeng Li, PhD
Chung-Han Lee, MD, PhD
Zhaohui Jin, MD
Oliver Kong, MD
Jerry Huang, MD, PhD, MBA
The Industry Committee hosted "AI in Healthcare: Development and Potential Applications" Webinar on Friday, December 12, 2025. More than 50 CAHON members registered for the first in a series of AI in Healthcare focused webinars. The webinar featured excellent talks by experts, Despina Kontos, PhD, Xiaole Shirely Liu, PhD and Chenyan Zhan, MD, PhD, followed by an in-depth panel discussion.
The event was recorded for CAHON Members, and can be accessed by logging into your account here.
Membership Committee
Yong Ji, MD, PhD (Chair)
Haixia Qin, MD, PhD (Co-Chair)
Zach Liu, MD
Yiyi Yan, MD, PhD
Deng Zhang, MD, PhD
The Membership Committee has streamlined its application process and consistently maintains a turnaround time of under three business days. We’ve welcomed 67 new members to reach 407 members this year and are proud to be closing the year on a strong note!
Public Relations Committee
Ligeng Tian, MD, PhD (Chair)
Faye Yin, MD, FACP (Co-Chair)
Peter Q Jiang, MD, PhD
Hui Chen, MD, PhD
Yumeng Zhang, MD
The Public Relations Committee has continuously produced outstanding meeting reports throughout the year and captured incredible photos of our members in action. Here’s a look back at the meeting reports from the past year and photo highlights from our events.
Meeting Reports from 2025 events:
Winter Symposium
New York Oncology Forum
Spring Symposium
CAHON-JHO at ASCO
Summer Symposium
Community Oncology Forum
CAHON Mentorship Initiative
In February CAHON will begin it's quarterly webinar series, complemented by monthly, topic and career-level–focused webinars led by CAHON's Executive Team.
If you are interested in joining the mentorship WeChat group, or signing up as a mentee or a mentor, please email info@cahon.org for more information.
Recent Events
New York Oncology Forum
On October 4 and 5, 2025, the 12th Annual New York Oncology Forum and CAHON's 20th Anniversary was held at the Sheraton in Flushing, NY.
View Event Photos and Meeting Report
CAHON Virtual Tumor Board
The Academic and Event & Education Committee hosted the Inaugural Virtual Tumor Board, and the first session was a great success. Stay tuned for more Tumor Board events coming soon.
The event was recorded for CAHON Members, and can be accessed by logging into your account here.
Winter Symposium & Reception
On December 6, 2025 CAHON held the Winter Symposium & Reception during the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Conference.
Meeting Report and Event Photos
AI in Healthcare: Development and Potential Applications
The Industry Committee organized this virtual seminar to discuss AI in Healthcare. Experts discussed how AI can be used in radiology and radiomics, developing therapeutic antibodies and drug discovery.
The event was recorded for CAHON Members, and can be accessed by logging into your account here.
Upcoming Events
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Post-ASH Virtual Update
January 28, 2026
via ZOOM -
Quarterly Seminar Series - GU Cancers
February 7, 2026
via Zoom -
Community Oncology Forum
February 28, 2026
St Pete Beach, FL -
Career Pathway/Mentorship Webinar
TBD (March)
via Zoom -
Fellowship Application Preparation Webinar
TBD (March)
via Zoom -
Quarterly Seminar Series
May 2, 2026
via Zoom
Read more: Upcoming in-person events and Upcoming virtual events
CAHON Awards
Since 2015, CAHON has proudly presented more than 200 prestigious awards.
- Young Investigator Awards: 109+
- Junior Investigator Awards: 31
- CAHON-CSCO Travel Awards: 20+
- NYOF Young Investigator Travel Awards: 50+
CAHON Junior Investigator Awardees – 2025 New York Oncology Forum
Congratulations to our Junior Investigator Award recipients: Kevin Cheng - University of Tennessee, Colleen Feng - University of Tennessee, Eric Heng - Stanford University, Olivia Paterniti - The Windsor School, Jennifer Wang - Virginia Commonwealth University, Reanna Wang - Humanitas, Sabrina Welch - Shrewsbury High School. Michael Yang - The Nueva School, Kate Yuan - Washington University, Fengrui Zhan - Weill Cornell, Kevin Zheng - Gillman School.
Award Presenters: Iris Zhi, MD, PhD - NYU Langone, Perlmutter Cancer Center and Minggui Pan, MD, PhD - Stanford University
Leadership: Liang Deng, MD, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Jing-Zhou Hou, MD, PhD - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Cancer Center.
CAHON Young Investigator Travel Awardees – 2025 New York Oncology Forum
Congratulations to our Young Investigator Travel Award recipients: Drs. Sunny Cai - University of Kansas Cancer Center, Teiwei (Leo) Cheng - University of Kansas Medical Center, Can Cui - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Qing Li - Case Western Reserve University, Nancy Li - NYU Langone Medical Center, Lay She Ng - Indiana University School of Medicine, Jiahao Peng - Montefiore/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Daniel Veldhuijzen Van Zanten - University of Alberta, Jingyao Zhang - Danbury Hospital/Nuvance Health, Tiantian Zhang - University of Central Florida.
Award Presenters: Iris Zhi, MD, PhD - NYU Langone, Perlmutter Cancer Center and Minggui Pan, MD, PhD - Stanford University
Leadership: Liang Deng, MD, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Jing-Zhou Hou, MD, PhD - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Cancer Center.
CAHON Young Investigator Awardees – 2025 Winter Symposium & Reception
Congratulations to our Young Investigator Award recipients: Lay She Ng, MD – Indiana University School of Medicine Southwest, Alex Niu, MD – Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Xuezhu Sunny Wang, MD – Boston Children's Hospital, Xi Yang, MD – University of Michigan, Tiantian Zhang, MD, PhD –University of Central Florida, Xiaoyi Zhang, MD – NYC Health Hospitals/Jacobi (Albert Einstein College of Medicine), Kevin Zhu, MD – University of Vermont, Not pictured: Annie Xiao, MD – City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center,
Award Presenters: Huichun Zhan, MD, MS - Stony Brook Medicine & Northport VAMC and Liang Deng, MD, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Leadership: Liang Deng, MD, PhD - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Jing-Zhou Hou, MD, PhD - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Cancer Center.
Member Highlights
Albert Ko, MD | Yu-Cheng Chang, MD | Xiaocao Xu, MD | Shuwen Lin, MD | Cho-Han Chiang, MD, MMSc
CAHON Members Contribute to Major New Study on GLP-1 Drugs & Cancer Risk
We’re proud to highlight that several CAHON members were part of a collaborative, international research effort that has recently been published in Annals of Internal Medicine examining the cancer risk associated with widely used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dual agonists.
The systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized data from 48 placebo-controlled randomized trials involving over 94,000 participants to evaluate whether GLP-1-based therapies — commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity — are associated with obesity-related cancers.
Please join us in congratulating our colleagues for their meaningful contribution to advancing clinical understanding that impacts practice worldwide!
Erxi Wu, PhD
Dr. Erxi Wu, a Lifetime CAHON member, is honored to serve as President-Elect of the American Chinese Association of Cancer Research (ACACR) for the 2026–2028 term. He is deeply committed to supporting the organization’s growth and its mission to advance cancer biology. Dr. Wu looks forward to collaborating closely with CAHON to foster innovation, strengthen education, and promote excellence across the field. Through collective effort and shared dedication, the community will continue driving meaningful progress in cancer research.
Dr. Erxi Wu also recently published two high-impact studies that advance our understanding of cancer metastasis and targeted therapy:
In Science Advances, Dr. Wu and collaborators discovered that circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters possess dramatically greater metastatic potential than single CTCs, driven by activation of the Src/FN1 signaling pathway. Importantly, pharmacologic Src inhibition using the clinical inhibitor KX2-391 disrupts CTC clustering, reduces CTC survival, and suppresses metastatic spread—revealing a clinically actionable vulnerability in lung cancer.
Read more
In Molecular Therapy, Dr. Wu and collaborators developed HY-4, a first-in-class nucleolin-targeting aptamer with exceptional specificity and a unique non–G-quadruplex structure. HY-4 disrupts the NCL–CXCR4 signaling axis, significantly reducing cancer cell migration and invasion without adverse effects. These findings position HY-4 as a promising diagnostic and therapeutic candidate.
Read more
RuiRong Yuan, MD, PhD
Cancer Care: Insights & Stories marked its inaugural launch with a warm lunch celebration grounded in gratitude and shared purpose. Led by Editor-in-Chief Dr. RuiRong Yuan and Managing Editor Ming Yuan, MBBS, PhD, the journal is dedicated to delivering the most up-to-date expert reviews in cancer research alongside meaningful patient care experiences.
In appreciation of the CAHON community, print copies will be donated at CAHON events, with free open online access available to all CAHON members.
ISSN (Print): 3069-8731
Majestic River Publisher, NH, USA
CAHON Membership
New CAHON Membership Category - Honorary Lifetime Membership
The CAHON Board of Directors is excited to share that the bylaws have been revised to create a new membership category. CAHON Honorary Lifetime Membership will recognize individuals of exceptional distinction whose pioneering work has transformed the fields of hematology, oncology, immuno-oncology, or related biomedical sciences. This honor is reserved for scientists, clinicians, and leaders whose discoveries, innovations, or translational achievements have had a global and enduring impact on cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment.
Recipients will be granted lifetime membership status and are exempt from annual dues. This distinction may also be conferred upon CAHON Lifetime Achievement Award (LAA) recipients or individuals recognized by major international scientific or clinical awards in hematology, oncology, or cancer immunology.
CAHON members will be invited to submit nominations for this annual award. Please watch your email for further details.
CAHON Membership Exceeds 400!!
In the last four years, CAHON membership has grown significantly. With expanded opportunities for engagement and career development, there has never been a better time to be a member of CAHON.
We welcome new members to join CAHON!
Membership Categories:
Associate Member: Dues Waived, including the first year after completing medical training, when upgrading to regular membership
Regular Member: $100.00 (USD) annually
Allied Member: $100.00 (USD) annually
Lifetime membership status will be conferred to Regular or Allied members if they have maintained their membership for at least eight years!
For more information on membership categories and to apply for membership, visit here.
The Journal of Hematology & Oncology (JHO) - Official Journal of CAHON
The Journal of Hematology & Oncology provides a forum for top-quality research and is the leading title in hematology and oncology, with an Impact Factor ranked in Q1 in both categories. The journal also publishes reviews and research highlights from leading experts in the field. Research is shared with fast turnaround times in an open access format among laboratory scientists, physician scientists, hematologists and oncologists.
Prof Delong Liu, Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Hematology & Oncology
Impact factor 40.4!
Link to articles: https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles
CAHON Social Media
In October 2024, CAHON officially launched its X and LinkedIn accounts. Follow us for member highlights, updates, and more.
We also have an exclusive Members-Only WeChat group. To join, please send the following details to info@cahon.org.
- Your WeChat ID (adjusted to reflect your professional name, affiliation or location, and specialty)
- A short introduction that includes your current role/position, and ALL prior education and work experience
- Professional Photo
- Chinese name (if applicable)
Please review our social media policy: Social Media Policy
We Need Your Support - Consider a Donation to CAHON
Easy Ways to Support:
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Visit https://www.cahon.org to make a tax-deductible donation
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Request a Corporate Match - Many companies will match a donation if you provide them with CAHON tax ID number
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Include CAHON in your Donor-Advised Fund providing CAHON tax ID number
Thank You to Our 2025 Corporate Partners!
Partnering for Progress: How Our Corporate Partners Are Powering Cancer Innovation
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This December at the 67th Annual ASH Meeting, BeOne showcased its commitment to patients fighting cancer worldwide. With 48 abstracts across four assets including 10 oral presentations, 38 posters, and updates from trials like SEQUOIA, ROSEWOOD, CaDAnCe, and ALPINE, our research is shaping new possibilities for patients with B cell malignancies and beyond. Every scientific advance brings us closer to improving outcomes and delivering hope to patients and their families. Learn more at https://beonemedicines.com/ |
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Exelixis is a globally ambitious oncology company innovating next-generation medicines and regimens at the forefront of cancer care. Powered by drug discovery and development excellence, we are rapidly evolving our product portfolio to target an expanding range of tumor types and indications with our clinically differentiated pipeline of small molecules and biotherapeutics. or information about the company and its mission to help cancer patients recover stronger and live longer, visit www.exelixis.com, follow @ExelixisInc on X (Twitter), like Exelixis, Inc. on Facebook and follow Exelixis on LinkedIn. |
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Ipsen is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on innovation and specialty care, At Ipsen, we develop and commercialize medicines in three key therapeutic areas - Oncology, Neuroscience and Rare Disease. Our focus in oncology is on some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers. We have a growing portfolio of therapies for solid tumors and in hematology aimed at improving the lives of people living with pancreatic cancer, follicular lymphoma, epithelioid sarcoma, gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, and carcinoid syndrome. Every day, our more than 5,000 employees worldwide, including nearly 800 in North America, work diligently to improve lives around the world. For more information, please visit www.ipsen.com/us |
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Novartis is an innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach nearly 300 million people worldwide. www.novartis.com |
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Rigel Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering, developing and providing novel therapies that significantly improve the lives of patients with hematologic disorders and cancer. Learn more about our commercialized and investigational products at https://www.rigel.com/pipeline |
Thank You to Our 2025 Annual Oncology Supporter!
If you are interested in becoming a Corporate Partner in 2026, please reach out to info@cahon.org for more information!