Overview of Dr. Cheung

Nai-Kong V. Cheung is a pediatric oncologist and cancer researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in New York, specializing in immunologic approaches for diagnosing and treating pediatric cancers. He received from Harvard Medical School his MD degree, as well as PhD degree in immunology, where he studied suppressor T cells and B cell tolerance under the mentorship of Dr. Baruj Benacerraf, the 1980 Nobel laureate in Medicine. Upon completing his pediatric training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Stanford University Medical Center, he has devoted his entire career to translational science, with a clinical focus on neuro-blastoma, and a research focus on antibody-based therapies. Over three decades at MSK, he has developed from bench to the bedside several monoclonal antibodies, including 3F8 and its humanized form (hu3F8, Naxitamab) specific for ganglioside GD2, and 8H9 (Omburtamab) specific for B7-H3. For high-risk metastatic neuroblastoma, patient survival has steadily improved as 3F8 was successfully applied to eradicate bone marrow metastases, and 8H9 to salvage CNS relapse. Naxitamab received FDA breakthrough therapy designation (BTD) in 2017 while Omburtamab (Burtomab) received BTD in 2018. Both drugs have been licensed to Y-mabs Inc. for further clinical development. He has developed immunocytology and molecular methods to measure minimal residual disease in neuroblastoma, which also serve as tools to evaluate adjuvant antibody-based strategies. In recent years, he has focused his lab on humanization, target discovery, novel antibody platforms to redirect T cells or radioisotopes, and antibody vaccines for curative applications in the clinic. He has filed a total of 35 patents (either approved or pending approval) and assembled a highly coordinated translational team made up of PhD researchers, MDs, and nurses to bring antibody-based biologics from blueprint to the bedside in accelerated timelines for orphan diseases.

Education & Training

  • Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford University

    Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford UniversityFellowship, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, 1980 - 1982

  • Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford University

    Stanford Health Care-Sponsored Stanford UniversityResidency, Pediatrics, 1978 - 1980

  • Harvard Medical School

    Harvard Medical SchoolPhD, 1974 - 1978

  • Harvard Medical School

    Harvard Medical SchoolClass of 1978

Certifications & Licensure

  • CA State Medical License

    CA State Medical License 1979 - Present

  • NY State Medical License

    NY State Medical License 1987 - 2025

  • OH State Medical License

    OH State Medical License 1982 - 1988

  • American Board of Pediatrics Pediatrics

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

  • America's Top Doctors Castle Connolly, 2012-2017
  • America's Top Doctors for Cancer Castle Connolly, 2011-2017
  • Top Doctors: New York Metro Area Castle Connolly, 2012-2014, 2017

Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Abstracts/Posters

Grant Support

  • Phase I Study Of Humanized 3F8 Monoclonal Antibody (HU3F8) In Patients With High-National Cancer Institute2011
  • Modulation By Botanicals Of Antibody Based Cancer ImmunotherapyNational Center For Complementary &Alternative Medicine2007–2009
  • Project 4National Cancer Institute2005–2009
  • A Novel SET Of Molecular Markers To Measure Metastatic NeuroblastomaNational Cancer Institute2006–2007
  • Modulation By Botanicals Of Antibody Based Cancer ImmunoNational Center For Complementary &Alternative Medicine2005–2006
  • Beta Glucan Enhances Antibody Therapy For NeuroblastomaNational Cancer Institute2002–2003
  • Novel Tumor Antigen For Antibody TargetingNational Cancer Institute2000–2001
  • Novel Combination Therapy Of NeuroblastomaNational Cancer Institute1998–2000
  • Novel Combination Therapy Of Stage IV NeuroblastomaNational Cancer Institute1993–1995
  • Monocyte Rhmcsf And Antibodies In Cancer TreatmentNational Cancer Institute1992–1993
  • Monocyte Rhmcsf And Antibodies In Cancer TreatmentNational Cancer Institute1991
  • Neuroblastoma Antibodies For Diagnosis And TreatmentNational Cancer Institute1987–1988
  • Neuroblastoma Antibodies For Diagnosis And TreatmentNational Cancer Institute1985–1986

Other Languages

  • Chinese (Cantonese)

Hospital Affiliations

External Links