Xiaolong (Alan) Zhou, MD

Dr. Zhou received his MD degree from Duke University (during which he spent two years in research, including one year at the NIH) and finished his residency in dermatology at the University of Miami in July, 2016. Dr. Zhou is focusing his post-doctoral research in the area of the genomics of cutaneous lymphomas, under the direction of Dr. Jaehyuk Choi, Ruth K. Freinkel Asst. Professor of Dermatology, Dr. Joan Guitart, Professor of Dermatology, and Frank Giles, MD, Director of the Developmental Therapeutics Institute at Northwestern. Specifically, he is investigating the mutational landscape in two cutaneous B cell lymphoma subtypes (diffuse large B cell lymphoma leg type [DLBCL-LT] and cutaneous follicle center lymphoma [CFCL]), which are not yet known. DLBCL-LT have a poor prognosis whereas CFCL have a good prognosis. Through genomic data analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization assays and immunohistochemistry, Dr. Zhou has found interesting somatic mutation patterns and chromosomal alterations in these tumor types that may provide treatment guidance and prognostic information. He has also found mutational similarities and differences between these B cell lymphoma subtypes and other extranodal and nodal lymphomas. Some of these mutations are targetable with drugs that are currently available and in clinical trials. In addition to this area of basic research, Dr. Zhou is involved in translational research endeavors. He recently received approval from Takeda for an investigator-initiated phase 2 study on an oral Syk inhibitor in advanced/refractory peripheral and cutaneous T cell lymphomas (first in any T cell lymphoma). In addition, he is a sub-investigator on early phase trials including (i) new anti-KIR2DL antibody (lirilumab) investigator initiated trial with BMS; (ii) Soligenix clinical trial looking at topical synthetic hypericin and light irradiation in cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL); (iii) miRagen trial looking at MRG-106 in mycosis fungoides; and (iv) Elorac trial looking at naltrexone in CTCL itching.

Jaehyuk Choi, MD/PhD, Ruth K. Freinkel Asst. Professor of Dermatology; Joan Guitart, MD, Professor of Dermatology; Amy Paller, MD,  Chair and Professor of Dermatology; Barbara Pro, MD Professor of Medicine and Jason Kaplan, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine are members of his Mentoring Team. 

While on the T32, Dr. Zhou has limited clinical responsibilities. Over 80% of his time spent on basic and translational research, while less than 20% is on clinical activities. His weekly clinical work include a half-day of cutaneous lymphoma clinic, two half days of his own general dermatology clinics, and occasional patients at the extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) unit in the Northwestern Rube Walker Blood Center. The ECP unit patients are typically ones with Sezary syndrome and graft versus host disease. He is part of the ECP team with Dr. Choi and Dr. John Galvin (Heme-Onc/Transplant). In his own general dermatology clinics, about 30% of his patients have a history of melanoma or dysplastic nevus syndrome and are at high risk for developing melanoma.

During this past year, Dr. Zhou has been involved in regional and national academic activities and service to the scientific community. He gave an oral presentation titled “Melanoma: Intro to Evolution, Diagnosis & Treatment” for the 2016 Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium (sponsored by Northwestern and the AIM Foundation). He also gave the “Dermoscopy of Benign Non-Melanocytic Lesions” lecture at the 2017 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting. He served on the Medical Dermatology Society’s Committee on Education and Programs that assembled the scientific program and agenda for the 2017 annual meeting at the AAD. Dr. Zhou moderated the keynote presentation by Dr. Jennifer Choi. He also completed service as an Editorial Board member of the AAD Dialogues in Dermatology that records and distributes Ted talk-like seminars on novel dermatologic topics and as a Committee Member of the AAD Residents & Fellows Committee; this committee leads the AAD’s efforts to improve resident/fellow education (such as board review) and serves as a voice for residents/fellows to the AAD executive leadership.

As part of Dr. Zhou’s T32 training, he enrolled in the Northwestern Graduate School Master of Science Clinical Investigation (MSCI) program. These evening courses provide formal training in clinical trials, biostatistics, epidemiology, and grant writing. He started in the fall of 2016 and completed Biostatistics I, earning an “A”. His current plan is to stay on faculty at Northwestern and complete the MSCI in his 3rd year, as an Assistant Professor.

 Publications

Zhou X, Chae YK, Giles F. Developmental Therapeutics Implications of Next-Generation Sequencing in Human Herpesvirus 8-Negative Castleman Disease. JAMA Dermatol. 2017 [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 28241212

Zhou X, Choi J. “Photopheresis: Advances and use in systemic sclerosis” Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2017 (in press).

Zhou X, Wenzel A, Guitart J, Behdad A, Martínez-Escala ME, Cerroni L, Choi J. “Genomic Landscape of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, Leg Type” Manuscript in preparation for Blood.

Oral Presentations

“Melanoma: Intro to Evolution, Diagnosis & Treatment” for the 2016 Melanoma Patient & Caregiver Symposium (sponsored by NU and AIM Foundation), Chicago, IL.

“Dermoscopy of Benign Non-Melanocytic Lesions” for the Fundamental of Dermoscopy Course at the 2017 AAD Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.