Dr Chong Chyn Chua, Clinical and Laboratory Haematologist and Clinical Lead Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, Monash Health
Research focus: Investigating personalised treatment strategies to improve outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia.
Dr Chong Chyn Chua is a recipient of a Monash Partners Strategic Translation and Research (STAR) Clinician Fellowship. The program invests in emerging and mid-career clinical academics to support their career pathway development and train the next generation of researchers. Monash Partners spoke to Chyn upon accepting this Fellowship.
What is your career background and research history?
I am a clinical and laboratory haematologist (FRACP FRCPA 2019) with subspecialty interest in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). My expertise stems from a dedicated fellowship in AML (Alfred Health) and a PhD (Monash University, 2023) investigating novel therapies and determinants of outcomes in AML through investigator-initiated clinical trials. I am very involved in developing investigator-initiated clinical trials examining novel treatment strategies for patients, and performing correlative studies to further our understanding of AML and its therapies. I have recently been appointed the AML Scientific Chair of the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG), which is the peak body for investigator initiated clinical trials in Australia.
How did you become interested in focussing on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) for older adults within your research?
My interest in focusing on AML in older adults developed through a combination of clinical exposure, research experience and recognition of a critical unmet need in this patient population. During my specialist training, I observed first-hand how older adults with AML often face limited treatment options, higher toxicity from standard therapies and poorer outcomes compared to younger patients. This disparity really struck me, and drove me towards exploring strategies to overcome these challenges. At the same time, I was drawn to the complexity of AML itself, a heterogenous disease with fascinating biology and rapidly evolving treatment paradigms.
What is the prevalence of AML in Australia and current issues that patients face?
AML remains a devastating cancer with very poor outcomes that primarily affects older adults. In Australia, the estimated incidence of AML was 3.8 per 100,000 persons in 2018, with an AML-related mortality rate of 3.6 per 100,000 persons (AIHW). The median age at diagnosis is 68 years, with older adults (>50% of cases) representing a particularly vulnerable patient cohort without very effective treatment options, with less than 20% of older patients surviving beyond three years. In addition, the therapies are often very toxic and it remains a quest to find an effective treatment strategy that balances toxicity and tolerability for patients.
Tell us about your research study.
My research focuses on two investigator-initiated trials addressing key challenges in older patients with AML:
- INTERVENE study (ACTRN12619001655134) is investigating whether adding midostaurin (targeted FLT3 inhibitor) to VEN-AZA improves survival in older AML patients with FLT3-ITD mutations. This study, involving 138 patients across Australasia, has recently completed recruitment. Next steps involve analysing the clinical outcomes and conducting correlative research to identify patterns of response and resistance by examining collected biological samples. These insights will guide the development of future personalised strategies.
- ADAPT clinical trial aims to develop a personalised treatment approach using genetic profiling and disease monitoring to identify patients at high risk of relapse, and guide therapy adjustments in older AML patients receiving VEN-AZA. The project involves securing drug access through pharmaceutical partnerships, developing treatment protocols, activating trial sites (including Monash Partners though the ALLG).
What are you hoping to achieve with your research?
My goal is to contribute to developing more personalised, tolerable and effective treatment strategies for this vulnerable population. I believe that through research, we can help bridge the gap between clinical advances and real-world outcomes for older AML patients.
What is the significance of receiving the Star Clinician Fellowship for your career and research?
Currently, my research efforts and involvement in research activities are all undertaken on an unpaid basis alongside my competing clinical responsibilities. This fellowship will provide dedicated, protected time for research, enabling me to generate high-quality publications that will strengthen my track record and competitiveness for future Investigator Grant (such as NHMRC, Victorian Cancer Agency) applications. By fostering impactful research outputs, this funding will be instrumental in advancing my career as an independent clinician-researcher and enhancing my ability to contribute meaningfully to the field of AML.
What are your future aspirations for your research/career?
I aspire to advance outcomes for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) through pioneering clinical and translational research. I am dedicated to driving impactful research that translates into improved real-world therapies and survival for AML patients.
