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Qing Yi, M.D., Ph.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor of Medicine (with tenure), Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1993 Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, PHD, PhD, Immunology
1986 Sun Yat Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, P.R., China, MA, Master of Medicine, Immunology
1983 Jiangxi Medical College, Jiangxi,, MD, MD/Bachelor of Medicine, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

8/1993-7/1995 Post-doc, Tumor Immunology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm,, Sweden

Experience/Service

Academic Appointments

Associate Professor of Medicine (with tenure), Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 8/2004-7/2008
Associate Professor (with tenure), Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy (MIRT), and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, 1998-2004
Docent, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital and Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 1995-1998
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine at the Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Hospital and Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 1993-1995
Research Fellow, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital and Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 1990-1993
Guest Scientist, Department of Neurology, Huddinge Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, 1988-1990
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Sun Yat Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 1987-1988
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 1986-1987

Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities

Acting Director, Bone Marrow Transplantation Laboratory, Arkansas Cancer Research Center, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, 1999-2000

Endowed Positions

John Q. Gaines Foundation Endowed Professorship for Cancer Research, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 9/2010-present

Institutional Committee Activities

Member, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), 6/2007-present
Member, Cancer Medicine Division Annual Faculty Recognition and Awards Review Board, 11/2006-present
Member, Myeloma Tissue Bank Steeering Committee; Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma and BMT, 5/2006-present
Member, Faculty Senate, U.T. M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 9/2005-present
Member, Arkansas Cancer Research Center Advisory Committee, 2002-2004

Honors and Awards

2008-present Senior Research Award, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
2008-present Translational Research Award, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
2007-present Guest Professor, The Second Military Medical University, Shanghai
2005-2007 Senior Research Award, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
2003-present Visiting Professorship, Fudan University, Shanghai
2001 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Translational Research Award, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
2000 Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Senior Research Award
1999 Leukemia Society Translational Research Award, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
1998 Fellowship in Clinical Oncology, Karolinska Institutet
1994 New Investigation Award for Meritorious Research in the Field of Clinical Immunology, Clinical Immunology Society/Clinical Immunology Committee
1993-1998 Cancer Society in Stockholm; Swedish Society of Medicine; Swedish Cancer Society, Scholarships fromTore Nilsson Foundation
1992-1998 Karolinska Institutet Fellowship

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Wang M, Zhang L, Han X, Yang J, Qian J, Hong S, Lin P, Shi Y, Romaguera J, Kwak LW, Yi Q. A severe combined immunodeficient-hu in vivo mouse model of human primary mantle cell lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res 14(7):2154-60, 4/2008. PMID: 18381957.
2. Yi Q, Pei Y, Zhu P, Dang Y, Wu J, Yang X, Wan B, Yu L. Nuclear export of NF90 to stabilize interleukin-2 mRNA is mediated by AKT-dependent ohosphorylation at Ser647 in response to CD28 costimulation. J Immunol 180:222-229, 10/2007.
3. Yang J, Wezeman M, Zhang X, Pei L, Wang M, Qian F, Wan B, Kwak LW, Yu L, Yi Q. Human C-reactive protein binds the activating Fcg receptors and protects myeloma tumor cells from apoptosis. Cancer Cell 12:252-265, 9/2007.
4. Qian J, Xie J, Hong S, Yang J Zhang L, Han X,m Zhang F, Shaughnessy JD, Epstein J, Kwak LW, Yi Q. DKK1 is a widely expressed and potent tumor-associated anrtigen in multiple myeloma. Blood 110:1587-1594, 5/2007. e-Pub 2007.
5. Yang J, Zhang X, Wang J, Qian J, Zhang L, Wang M, Kwak LW, Yi Q. Anti-B2-microglobulin monoclonal antibodies induce apoptosis in myeloma cells by recruiting MHC class I to and excluding growth and survival cytokine receptors from lipid rafts. Blood 110:3028-3035, 2007.
6. Pei Y, Zhu P, Wu J, Yang X, Wan B, Yi Q, Yu L. Nuclear export of NF90 to stabilize interleukin-2 mRNA is mediated by AKT-dependent ohosphorylation at Ser647 in response to CD28 costimulation. J Immunol 180:222-229, 2007.
7. Qian J, Wang S, Yang J, Xie J, Lin P, Freeman ME, 3rd, Yi Q. Targeting heat shock proteins for immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: generation of myeloma-specific CTLs using dendritic cells pulsed with tumor-derived gp96. Clin Cancer Res 11(24 Pt 1):8808-15, 12/2005. PMID: 16361569.
8. Xie J, Qian J, Yang J, Wang S, Freeman ME, 3rd, Yi Q. Critical roles of Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling and inactivation of p38 MAP kinase in the differentiation and survival of monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells. Exp Hematol 33(5):564-72, 5/2005. PMID: 15850834.
9. Yaccoby S, Wezeman MJ, Henderson A, Cottler-Fox M, Yi Q, Barlogie B, Epstein J. Cancer and the microenvironment: myeloma-osteoclast interactions as a model. Cancer Res 64(6):2016-23, 3/2004. PMID: 15026338.
10. Kakoulidou M, Ahlberg R, Yi Q, Giscombe R, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. The autoimmune T and B cell repertoires in monozygotic twins discordant for myasthenia gravis. J Neuroimmunol 148(1-2):183-91, 3/2004. PMID: 14975600.
11. Xie J, Qian J, Wang S, Freeman ME, 3rd, Epstein J, Yi Q. Novel and detrimental effects of lipopolysaccharide on in vitro generation of immature dendritic cells: involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinase p38. J Immunol 171(9):4792-800, 11/2003. PMID: 14568957.
12. Xie J, Wang Y, Freeman ME, 3rd, Barlogie B, Yi Q. Beta 2-microglobulin as a negative regulator of the immune system: high concentrations of the protein inhibit in vitro generation of functional dendritic cells. Blood 101(10):4005-12, 5/2003. PMID: 12531797.
13. Xie J, Yi Q. Beta2-microglobulin as a potential initiator of inflammatory responses. Trends Immunol 24(5):228-9; author reply 229-30, 5/2003. PMID: 12738410.
14. Min R, Li Z, Epstein J, Barlogie B, Yi Q. Beta(2)-microglobulin as a negative growth regulator of myeloma cells. Br J Haematol 118(2):495-505, 8/2002. PMID: 12139738.
15. Yi Q, Desikan R, Barlogie B, Munshi N. Optimizing dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in multiple myeloma. Br J Haematol 117(2):297-305, 5/2002. PMID: 11972511.
16. Wen YJ, Min R, Tricot G, Barlogie B, Yi Q. Tumor lysate-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in multiple myeloma: promising effector cells for immunotherapy. Blood 99(9):3280-5, 5/2002. PMID: 11964294.
17. Zheng C, Huang D, Liu L, Wu R, Bergenbrant Glas S, Osterborg A, Bjorkholm M, Holm G, Yi Q, Sundblad A. Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphisms in multiple myeloma. Int J Cancer 95(3):184-8, 5/2001. PMID: 11307152.
18. Wen YJ, Barlogie B, Yi Q. Idiotype-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in multiple myeloma: evidence for their capacity to lyse autologous primary tumor cells. Blood 97(6):1750-5, 3/2001. PMID: 11238117.
19. Xu D, Zheng C, Bergenbrant S, Holm G, Bjorkholm M, Yi Q, Gruber A. Telomerase activity in plasma cell dyscrasias. Br J Cancer 84(5):621-5, 3/2001. PMID: 11237381.
20. Chiriva-Internati M, Du J, Cannon M, Barlogie B, Yi Q. Myeloma-reactive allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes lyse target cells via the granule exocytosis pathway. Br J Haematol 112(2):410-20, 2/2001. PMID: 11167840.
21. Zheng C, Huang D, Liu L, Bjorkholm M, Holm G, Yi Q, Sundblad A. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 microsatellite polymorphism is associated with multiple myeloma. Br J Haematol 112(1):216-8, 2001. PMID: 11167807.
22. Zheng C, Huang DR, Bergenbrant S, Sundblad A, Osterborg A, Bjorkholm M, Holm G, Yi Q. Interleukin 6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1beta and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist promoter or coding gene polymorphisms in multiple myeloma. Br J Haematol 109(1):39-45, 4/2000. PMID: 10848780.
23. Fagerberg J, Yi Q, Gigliotti D, Harmenberg U, Ruden U, Persson B, Osterborg A, Mellstedt H. T-cell-epitope mapping of the idiotypic monoclonal IgG heavy and light chains in multiple myeloma. Int J Cancer 80(5):671-80, 3/1999. PMID: 10048965.
24. Broome U, Hultcrantz R, Lefvert AK, Yi Q. Cytokine production from colonic T cells in patients with ulcerative colitis with and without primary sclerosing cholangitis. Dis Colon Rectum 41(12):1543-9, 12/1998. PMID: 9860336.
25. Samanci A, Yi Q, Fagerberg J, Strigard K, Smith G, Ruden U, Wahren B, Mellstedt H. Pharmacological administration of granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor is of significant importance for the induction of a strong humoral and cellular response in patients immunized with recombinant carcinoembryonic antigen. Cancer Immunol Immunother 47(3):131-42, 11/1998. PMID: 9829838.
26. Yi Q, Ekman M, Anton D, Bergenbrant S, Osterborg A, Georgii-Hemming P, Holm G, Nilsson K, Biberfeld P. Blood dendritic cells from myeloma patients are not infected with Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8). Blood 92(2):402-4, 7/1998. PMID: 9657737.
27. Osterborg A, Yi Q, Henriksson L, Fagerberg J, Bergenbrant S, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Ruden U, Lefvert AK, Holm G, Mellstedt H. Idiotype immunization combined with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in myeloma patients induced type I, major histocompatibility complex-restricted, CD8- and CD4-specific T-cell responses. Blood 91(7):2459-66, 4/1998. PMID: 9516146.
28. Dabadghao S, Bergenbrant S, Anton D, He W, Holm G, Yi Q. Anti-idiotypic T-cell activation in multiple myeloma induced by M-component fragments presented by dendritic cells. Br J Haematol 100(4):647-54, 3/1998. PMID: 9531329.
29. Anton D, Dabadghao S, Palucka K, Holm G, Yi Q. Generation of dendritic cells from peripheral blood adherent cells in medium with human serum. Scand J Immunol 47(2):116-21, 2/1998. PMID: 9496685.
30. Yi Q, Dabadghao S, Osterborg A, Bergenbrant S, Holm G. Myeloma bone marrow plasma cells: evidence for their capacity as antigen-presenting cells. Blood 90(5):1960-7, 9/1997. PMID: 9292530.
31. Halapi E, Werner A, Wahlstrom J, Osterborg A, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Yi Q, Janson CH, Wigzell H, Grunewald J, Mellstedt H. T cell repertoire in patients with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: clonal CD8+ T cell expansions are found preferentially in patients with a low tumor burden. Eur J Immunol 27(9):2245-52, 9/1997. PMID: 9341766.
32. Xu B, Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Matell G, Eng H, Lefvert AK. Decreased beta2-adrenergic receptor density on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in myasthenia gravis. J Autoimmun 10(4):401-6, 8/1997. PMID: 9237804.
33. Ahlberg R, Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Matell G, Sundevall AC, Aberg B, Lefvert AK. The effect of thymectomy on autoreactive T- and B-lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis. J Neuroimmunol 74(1-2):45-54, 4/1997. PMID: 9119978.
34. Yi Q, Eriksson I, He W, Holm G, Mellstedt H, Osterborg A. Idiotype-specific T lymphocytes in monoclonal gammopathies: evidence for the presence of CD4+ and CD8+ subsets. Br J Haematol 96(2):338-45, 2/1997. PMID: 9029023.
35. Yi Q, Österborg A. Idiotype-specific T cells and immunotherapy in monoclonal gammopathies. Biotherapy in Cancer 1:14-17, 1997.
36. Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. Anti-idiotypic T cells in early stages of myasthenia gravis: increase in the number and prevalence correlated to clinical improvement in patients. Scand J Immunol 44(6):630-7, 12/1996. PMID: 8972746.
37. Yi Q, Holm G, Lefvert AK. Idiotype-induced T cell stimulation requires antigen presentation in association with HLA-DR molecules. Clin Exp Immunol 104(2):359-65, 5/1996. PMID: 8625533.
38. Bergenbrant S, Yi Q, Osterborg A, Bjorkholm M, Osby E, Mellstedt H, Lefvert AK, Holm G. Modulation of anti-idiotypic immune response by immunization with the autologous M-component protein in multiple myeloma patients. Br J Haematol 92(4):840-6, 3/1996. PMID: 8616076.
39. Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. Presynaptic membrane receptor-reactive T lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis. Scand J Immunol 43(1):81-7, 1996. PMID: 8560200.
40. Yi Q, He W, Matell G, Pirskanen R, Magnusson Y, Eng H, Lefvert AK. T and B lymphocytes reacting with the extracellular loop of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor (beta 2AR) are present in the peripheral blood of patients with myasthenia gravis. Clin Exp Immunol 103(1):133-40, 1996. PMID: 8565272.
41. Yi Q, Osterborg A, Bergenbrant S, Mellstedt H, Holm G, Lefvert AK. Idiotype-reactive T-cell subsets and tumor load in monoclonal gammopathies. Blood 86(8):3043-9, 10/1995. PMID: 7579398.
42. Osterborg A, Yi Q, Bergenbrant S, Holm G, Lefvert AK, Mellstedt H. Idiotype-specific T cells in multiple myeloma stage I: an evaluation by four different functional tests. Br J Haematol 89(1):110-6, 1995. PMID: 7833249.
43. Ahlberg R, Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Matell G, Swerup C, Rieber EP, Riethmuller G, Holm G, Lefvert AK. Treatment of myasthenia gravis with anti-CD4 antibody: improvement correlates to decreased T-cell autoreactivity. Neurology 44(9):1732-7, 9/1994. PMID: 7936306.
44. Bergenbrant S, Yi Q, Osby E, Osterborg A, Ostman R, Bjorkholm M, Holm G, Lefvert AK. Anti-idiotypic B lymphocytes in patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Scand J Immunol 40(2):216-20, 8/1994. PMID: 8047844.
45. Yi Q, Ahlberg R, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. Acetylcholine receptor-reactive T cells in myasthenia gravis: evidence for the involvement of different subpopulations of T helper cells. J Neuroimmunol 50(2):177-86, 3/1994. PMID: 8120139.
46. Yi, Q, Lefvert, A,K,. Idiotype- and antiidiotype-reactive T lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis: evidence for the involvement of different subpopulations of Th lymphocytes. J Immunol 153:3353-3359, 1994.
47. Yi Q, Bergenbrant S, Osterborg A, Osby E, Ostman R, Bjorkholm M, Holm G, Lefvert AK. T-cell stimulation induced by idiotypes on monoclonal immunoglobulins in patients with monoclonal gammopathies. Scand J Immunol 38(6):529-34, 12/1993. PMID: 8256110.
48. Yi Q, Lefvert AK. Human muscle acetylcholine receptor reactive T and B lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 681:339-41, 6/1993. PMID: 8357186.
49. Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. Human muscle acetylcholine receptor reactive T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with myasthenia gravis. J Neuroimmunol 42(2):215-22, 2/1993. PMID: 8429105.
50. Åhlberg R, Yi Q, Pirskanen R, Matell G, Swerup C, Rieber P, Rietmuller G, Holm G, Lefvert AK. Clinical improvement of myasthenia gravis by treatment with a chimeric anti-CD4 monoclonal antibody. Ann NY Acad Sci 636:525-555, 1993.
51. Yi Q, Lefvert AK. Idiotypic and antiidiotypic T and B lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis. J Immunol 149(10):3423-6, 11/1992. PMID: 1431116.
52. Ahlberg R, Yi Q, Eng H, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. T-cell epitopes on the human acetylcholine receptor alpha-subunit residues 10-84 in myasthenia gravis. Scand J Immunol 36(3):435-42, 9/1992. PMID: 1381519.
53. Yi Q, Ahlberg R, Pirskanen R, Lefvert AK. Levels of CD5+ B lymphocytes do not differ between patients with myasthenia gravis and healthy individuals. Neurology 42(5):1081-4, 5/1992. PMID: 1374547.
54. Yi Q, Feng HM. Study of solid-phase radioimmunoassay established for the detection of antibodies against Rickettsial tsutsugamushi. Acta of Sun Yat Sen University of Medical Sciences 12((3)):9-12, 1987.
55. Yi Q, Feng HM. Detection of antibodies against Rickettsial tsutsugamushiby solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Chinese Journal of Zoonoses 6((2)):5-8, 1986.

Invited Articles
1. Yi Q. Dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in multiple myeloma. Leukemia Lymphoma 44:2031-2038, 2003.
2. Yi Q. Immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: current strategies and future prospects. Expert Rev Vaccines 2(3):391-398, 2003.
3. Yi Q, Lefvert AK. Current and future therapies for myasthenia gravis. Drugs Aging 11(2):132-9, 8/1997. PMID: 9259176.
4. Yi Q, Osterborg A. Idiotype-specific T cells in multiple myeloma: targets for an immunotherapeutic intervention? Med Oncol 13(1):1-7, 3/1996. PMID: 8869933.

Editorials
1. Yi Q. Myeloma wrecks Treg? Blood (Inside Blood) 107:8-9, 2006.
2. Yi Q, Kwak LW. Monocyte-derived dendritic cells: a promising armament for immunotherap in human malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 11:966-967, 2005.

Abstracts
1. Yi Q, Wang S, Wezeman M, Qian J, Yang J. Dendritic cell vaccines are superior to idiotype-KLH protein vaccines at priming a therapeutic, tumor-specific immunity against multiple myeloma. Blood 106:967a, 2005.

Book Chapters
1. Yang J, Yi Q. Signaling pathways mediating dendritic cell dysfunction in cancer. In: Dendritic Cells in Cancer. Ed(s) Michael R. Shurin, Russell D. Salter. Springer Science, 2009.
2. Yi, Q,. Disease-Based Application – Multiple Myeloma: T Cell-Based Adoptive Immunotherapy. In: Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy in Hematological Malignancies. Springer Science, 2007.
3. Yi Q. Vaccines for hematological malignancies. In: Handbook of Cancer Vaccines. The Humana Press Inc, 2003.
4. Yi, Q,. Immunoregulatory mechanisms and immunotherapy. In: Myeloma. Isis Medical Media Limited, 2002.
5. Österborg A, Yi Q, Bergenbrant S, Gigliotti D, Holm G, Lefvert AK, Mellstedt H. Regulatory T cell populations in multiple myeloma. In: Challenges of Modern Medicine, Multiple Myeloma and Related Disorders. 4. Ares-Serono Symposia Publications, 71-82, 1994.
6. Yi Q. Autoreactive T and B lymphocytes in myasthenia gravis . Karolinska Institutet, 1993.

Grant & Contract Support

Title: Targeting surface beta2-microglobulin for myeloma and bone therapy
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2009 - 12/30/2013
 
Title: Anti-b2M monoclonal antibodies as therapeutic agent for myeloma
Funding Source: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 11/1/2008 - 10/30/2010
 
Title: Role of C-reactive protein in myeloma bone disease
Funding Source: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 10/1/2008 - 9/30/2012
 
Title: DKK1 as a novel and universally expressed tumor antigen for myeloma immunotherapy
Funding Source: UTMDACC Center for Targeted Therapy
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2010
 
Title: Anti-b2-microglobulin antibodies as a therapeutic agent for myeloma treatment
Funding Source: UTMDACC Center for Targeted Therapy
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 4/1/2008 - 3/31/2010
 
Title: Optimizing dendritic cell immunotherapy in myeloma
Funding Source: Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 2/1/2006 - present
 
Title: Heat shock proteins as targets for immunotherapy in multiple myeloma
Funding Source: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 11/1/2005 - 10/31/2007
 
Title: Optimizing dendritic cell immunotherapy in myeloma
Funding Source: NIH/NCI
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 7/1/2004 - 6/30/2010
 
Title: Anti-b2M antibody as a therapeutic agent in myeloma
Funding Source: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/2002 - 2/28/2006
 
Title: Idiotype-specific effector T cells in multiple myeloma
Funding Source: National Cancer Institute
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 8/1/2002 - 8/31/2008
 
Title: Optimization of dendritic cell-based immunotherapy in multiple myeloma
Funding Source: Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and McCarty Cancer Foundation 2000 Senior Research Award
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 8/1/2000 - 1/31/2002
 
Title: Immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: generation of myeloma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes to eradicate residual tumor cells
Funding Source: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Role: Principal Investigator
Duration: 9/1/1999 - 8/31/2002

Last updated: 2/28/2013