Alexandre Chan

Research Interests

supportive care, cancer survivorship, biomarkers, pharmacogenomics, oncology pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, drug-related problems, pharmacist

Research Abstract

Dually board certified in Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) and Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP), Dr. Chan has published >200 full-length peer-reviewed manuscripts in a wide array of cancer supportive care and survivorship topics, including chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, cancer-related cognitive impairment, dermatological toxicities and cancer-related fatigue. Dr. Chan's research program has attracted over $3 million USD of competitive funding support from governmental agencies, foundations and pharmaceutical companies. He has provided clinical training and research supervision to PharmD candidates, PhD candidates and fellows.

The overarching themes of Dr. Chan's research program are to (i) evaluate the mechanisms and biomarkers underlying these toxicities, (ii) understand the impact of these toxicities on patients’ quality of life, (iii) develop pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, as well as health services to effectively manage these side effects.

Dr. Chan’s research group was the first to establish the role of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and its genetic polymorphism in chemobrain, and the findings were validated in a separate cohort. His research group has also evaluated the impact of other biomarkers (such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, mitochondrial DNA, dehydroepiandrosterone and leptin) on the various toxicities.

Dr. Chan has also served as Principal Investigator on numerous health-services and clinical research studies that were designed to improve symptom burden and quality of life in cancer patients and survivors. He has developed and trialed two multidisciplinary support programs that are designed to reduce symptom burden in breast cancer survivors and AYA cancer patients. Currently, he is conducting a RCT in Singapore to evaluate the role of a traditional Chinese medicine to manage cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors (NCT04104113). He is also conducting two RCTs to evaluate the impact of an accessible cancer care program within a cancer center (ACCESS, NCT04014309) as well as an inter-professional community care model to manage breast cancer survivors (BASIC). Dr. Chan has also conducted numerous studies to evaluate the impact of drug-related problems, adverse drug reactions and unwanted hospital readmissions in both general and cancer population.

Dr. Chan has authored numerous textbook chapters in oncology and clinical pharmacy. His chapters were published in textbooks including Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach, Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP) and Ambulatory Care Self-Assessment Program (ACSAP). Dr. Chan was awarded the Young Scientist Award by National University of Singapore in 2013, and the Steven M. Grunberg Memorial Award by Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) in 2015. Dr. Chan is an elected Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP). He is currently serving as the Past President for ISOPP and an Associate Editor for Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice.

Awards and Honors

• Fellow, International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (FISOPP), 2018
• The SingHealth 10th Allied Health Innovative Practice Award, 2017
• The Steven M. Grunberg Memorial Award, MASCC, 2015
• Fellow, American College of Clinical Pharmacy (FCCP), 2014
• The Young Scientist Award, Faculty of Science, NUS, 2013
• The Ernest Little Award, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, 2004

Publications

Selected Peer Review Book Chapters

Chan A, Tan CJ, Sessions J. Lymphomas. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM, eds. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. 11th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Chaper 149, 2020.

Chan A. Breast Cancer. In: Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program (PSAP): Hematology/Immunology/Oncology Book 2; American College of Clinical Pharmacy; 132-152, 2018.

Chan A, Lee JYC. Cancer Survivorship. In: Ambulatory Care Self-Assessment Program (ACSAP) Book 1; American College of Clinical Pharmacy; 109-137, 2017.

Chan A, Sessions J. Lymphomas. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM, eds. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. 10th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; Chapter 132; 2181-208; 2016.

Chan A, Yee GC. Lymphomas. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM, eds. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; Chapter 109; 2009-36, 2014.

Chan A, Yee GC. Lymphomas. In: DiPiro JT, Talbert RL, Yee GC, Matzke GR, Wells BG, Posey LM, eds. Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach. 8th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; Chapter 140; 2333-59, 2011.

Iannucci A, Chan A. Management and Treatment of Hematologic Toxicities. In: Oncology Nursing-Pharmacy Handbook. Ignoffo RJ, Viele C, Ngo Z, eds. 1st ed. Elsevier-Mosby, 2007.