HKU Science Distinguished Lecture Series: Treatment of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia with All-trans Retinoic Acid and Arsenic Trioxide: A Model of Cancer Synergistic Targeted Therapy

Professor Zhu Chen is a distinguished haematologist and molecular biologist, currently serving as a professor at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. He is Honorary Director of the Shanghai Institute of Hematology and Chair of the Academic Committee of the State Key Laboratory of Omics and Diseases.

Born in Shanghai, Professor Chen obtained his master's degree from Shanghai Second Medical University (now Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine) and his doctoral degree from the University of Paris VII.

He is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Medicine, a Foreign Member of the Royal Society, and a Foreign Associate of the French Academy of Sciences, a Member Honoris Causa of the National Academy of Medicine of France, among other prestigious international academies.

Internationally recognised for his pioneering contributions to cancer research, Professor Chen played a leading role in developing a combination therapy using all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL). This breakthrough transformed a once highly fatal form of leukaemia into one of the most curable cancers, with cure rates exceeding 90%. He has also made significant contributions to human genomics, including China's Human Genome Project.

In 2026, Professor Chen was jointly awarded the Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine with Professors Anne Dejean and Hugues de Thé for their groundbreaking discoveries in the molecular mechanisms and targeted treatment of APL.

His other major honours include the 2025 Princess Chulabhorn Award, 2018 Sjöberg Prize, the 2016 Ernest Beutler Lecture and Prize, and the 2012 Szent-Györgyi Prize for Progress in Cancer Research.

Professor Chen served as China's Minister of Health from 2007 to 2013. He also has a longstanding connection with The University of Hong Kong, which conferred an Honorary Doctor of Science degree on him in 2005 in recognition of his outstanding scientific achievements.