Biography

• Wang Zhenyi, M.D., PhD, Professor of Hematology, academician from the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He is tenured professor of both medical school of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Ruijin Hospital.

• Acute promyelocytic leukemia, or APL, where there are too many immature blood-forming cells called promyelocytes in the blood or bone marrow, historically was a devastating diagnosis.

• Thanks to the work of Zhenyi Wang, today, this deadly subtype of leukemia is now highly curable.

• He studied retinoids, which can work as regulators of cell reproduction and proliferations. One specific type of retinoid, called all-trans-retinoic acid, or ATRA, was found to help differentiate a cell line, and enable the promyelocytes to grow into fully functioning cells.Now, the combination of Arsenic trioxide and all-trans-retinoic acid, can raise the complete remission rate, and prolong the lifespan of the patient.

• While this treatment has been successful for APL, other forms of Leukemia require further study.

• Wang continues his exploration with what he refers to as open book examination, where the team comes together to discuss difficult cases.