Kumudha Balakrishnan, M.S., Ph.D.
Department of Colon & Rectal Surgery, Division of Surgery
About Dr. Kumudha Balakrishnan
I am a translational cancer researcher with over two decades of experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center, specializing in hematologic malignancies and gastrointestinal cancers. My work has focused on targeting key signaling pathways, understanding tumor–microenvironment interactions, and advancing biomarker-driven therapeutic strategies. Throughout my career, I have led and supported multidisciplinary research programs, including clinical and translational studies integrating multi-omics data and precision oncology approaches. I have contributed to high-impact publications and collaborative projects across institutions. Currently, in my role within Colon and Rectal Surgery, I focus on building research infrastructure, developing competitive grant programs, and supporting investigators in advancing innovative, patient-centered cancer research.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Colon & Rectal Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2001 | A.L.M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, IN, Clinical Biochemistry, Ph.D |
| 1992 | A.L.M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, IN, Biochemistry, M.Phil |
| 1991 | A.L.M. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, IN, Biochemistry, M.S |
| 1989 | University of Madras, Vaishnav College for Women, Chromepet, IN, Chemistry, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2002-2007 | Postdoctoral Fellowship, Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2017
Assistant Professor, Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2014
Instructor, Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2007 - 2010
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, H.R. D. Degree and PG College, Osmania University, Hyderabad, 1998 - 2000
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Mamata Medical College, Kammam, 1998 - 1998
Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry, Vinayaka Mission Dental College, Salem, 1992 - 1993
Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Subham Tutorial, Chennai, 1991 - 1991
Other Professional Positions
Senior Biochemist, Sharp Diagnostics, Chennai, 1993 - 1994
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Commitee Member, Department of Experimental Therapeutics Seminar Series, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013 - Present
Judge, GSBS Experimental Therapeutics Academic Program 3rd Annual Research Retreat, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2013
Reviewer, The Fadine Jackson Roquemore Scholarship in Cancer Research Application of GSBS Students, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2012
Judge, GSBS Experimental Therapeutics Academic Program 1st Annual Research Retreat, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2011
Editorial Activities
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Blood Disorders and Transfusion, 2013
Editorial Board Member, New Journal of Science, 2013
Member of Editorial Review Board, The Society of Hematologic Oncology (SOHO), 2012 - Present
Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Blood Research, 2012 - Present
Associate Member, Faculty 1000, 2011 - Present
Editorial Board Member, Frontiers in Hematology Oncology, 2011 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2012 - 2016 | CLL Global Foundation |
| 2012 - 2014 | Leukemia SPORE, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Junior Research Faculty Citation of Excellence Winner, Division of Cancer Medicine |
| 2009 | Best Poster Award, Gordon Research Conference, New Port, RI |
| 2005 - 2006 | Shannon Timmins Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Formal Peers
- 2013. Role of IPI-145 in CLL. Invited. Houston, US.
- 2013. Role of IPI-145, a PI3K inhibitor in CLL. Invited. New Orleans, US.
- 2013. Restoration of Smac mediated apoptosis in CLL. Invited. San Diego, US.
- 2013. Restoration of Smac mediated apoptosis in CLL. Invited. Houston, US.
- 2013. Role of IPI-145, a PI3K inhibitor in CLL. Invited. Boston, US.
- 2012. Restoration of Smac mediated apoptosis in CLL. Invited. Houston, US.
- 2009. Bcl-2 Antagonists - Targeted Therapeutics For CLL. Invited. Houston, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2013 - 2014 |
| Title: | Ibrutinib Flagship Program |
| Funding Source: | CLL Moon Shot |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2013 - 2018 |
| Title: | Novel Strategies for CLL treatment |
| Funding Source: | CLL Global Research Foundation, US/European Alliance for the Therapy of CLL |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2013 - 2014 |
| Title: | Targeting Nitric Oxide Production for CLL therapy |
| Funding Source: | CTT |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2013 - 2014 |
| Title: | Targeting PI3Kinase Pathway in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) with IPI-145 |
| Funding Source: | SRA - Infinity Pharma Inc |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2012 - 2013 |
| Title: | Preclinical Evaluation of Bendamustine and Obatoclax Combination in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) |
| Funding Source: | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2012 - 2013 |
| Title: | Targeting Hedgehog Pathway in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia |
| Funding Source: | Leukemia SPORE Career Development Award |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2012 - 2014 |
| Title: | Mechanism-Based Combinations with GS-1101 in B-cell Malignancies |
| Funding Source: | Gilead Sciences Inc |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2012 - 2017 |
| Title: | Restoration of Smac-Mediated Apoptosis in Chronic lymphocytic leukemia |
| Funding Source: | CLL Global Research Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2012 - 2017 |
| Title: | “Biochemistry of Apoptosis in CLL” |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | PO1-CA81534 |
| Date: | 2010 - 2013 |
| Title: | "Pim Kinase Inhibition as a Therapeutic Strategy for AML" |
| Funding Source: | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2009 - 2012 |
| Title: | Effect of Microenvironment on Mcl-1 in CLL Cells |
| Funding Source: | CLL Global Research Foundation |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Preclinical and Clinical Development of Isoform Specific PI3Kinase Inhibitor, IPI-145 (Duvelisib) in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R01 |
| Title: | CLL 3D co-culture system: A new paradigm to recapitulate human disease |
| Funding Source: | Concern Foundation grant |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Role of IPI-145 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia |
| Funding Source: | IRG |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | CLL 3D co-culture system: A new paradigm to recapitulate human disease |
| Funding Source: | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Restoration of smac-mediated apoptosis in CLL |
| Funding Source: | Ladies Leukemia League |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Selective inhibition of PI3K delta and gamma in CLL |
| Funding Source: | Ladies Leukemia League |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Targeting Nitric Oxide Production with DDAH1 Inhibitors: A New Paradigm for Leukemia Therapy |
| Funding Source: | Gabrielle's Angel Foundation award |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Three Dimensional (3D) Co-culture System for Leukemias: A New Paradigm to Recapitulate Human Disease |
| Funding Source: | Pew Scholars Program in the Biomedical Sciences |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | CLL 3D co-culture system: A new paradigm to recapitulate human disease |
| Funding Source: | Leukemia SPORE |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Role of SMO antagonist in CLL |
| Funding Source: | Infinity Pharma Inc |
| Role: | PI |
| Title: | Expression and Activation of Procaspase 3 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells |
| Funding Source: | Vanquish Oncology |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Title: | Targeting Anti-apoptotic Proteins in CLL |
| Funding Source: | CLL Global Research Foundation, US/European Alliance for the Therapy of CLL |
| Role: | Co-I |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Sarkar A, Stellrecht CM, Vangapandu HV, Ayres M, Kaipparettu BA, Park JH, Balakrishnan K, Burks JK, Pandita TK, Hittelman WN, Neelapu SS, Gandhi V. Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated interacts with Parkin and induces mitophagy independent of kinase activity. Evidence from mantle cell lymphoma. Haematologica 106(2):495-512, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 32029507.
- Chu F, Li HS, Liu X, Cao J, Ma W, Ma Y, Weng J, Zhu Z, Cheng X, Wang Z, Liu J, Jiang ZY, Luong AU, Peng W, Wang J, Balakrishnan K, Yee C, Dong C, Davis RE, Watowich SS, Neelapu SS. CXCR5(+)CD8(+) T cells are a distinct functional subset with an antitumor activity. Leukemia 33(11):2640-2653, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31028278.
- Chen W, Fan H, Balakrishnan K, Wang Y, Sun H, Fan Y, Gandhi V, Arnold LA, Peng X. Discovery and Optimization of Novel Hydrogen Peroxide Activated Aromatic Nitrogen Mustard Derivatives as Highly Potent Anticancer Agents. J Med Chem 61(20):9132-9145, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30247905.
- Patel V, Lamothe B, Ayres M, Gay J, Cheung J, Balakrishnan K, Ivan C, Morse J, Nelson M, Keating M, Wierda W, Marszalek J, Gandhi V. Pharmacodynamics and proteomics during acalabrutinib therapy suggest on-target effect similar to ibrutinib and provide rationale for complementary combination therapy. Leukemia 32:920-930, 2017.
- Vangapandu HV, Ayres ML, Bristow CA, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Balakrishnan K, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. The Stromal Microenvironment Modulates Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells. Neoplasia 19(10):762-771, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28863345.
- Patel VM, Balakrishnan K, Douglas M, Tibbitts T, Xu EY, Kutok JL, Ayers M, Sarkar A, Guerrieri R, Wierda WG, O'Brien S, Jain N, Stern HM, Gandhi V. Duvelisib treatment is associated with altered expression of apoptotic regulators that helps in sensitization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to venetoclax (ABT-199). Leukemia 31(9):1872-1881, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28017967.
- Patel V, Balakrishnan K, Bibikova E, Ayres M, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Comparison of Acalabrutinib, A Selective Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, with Ibrutinib in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells. Clin Cancer Res 23(14):3734-3743, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28034907.
- Wang Y, Fan H, Balakrishnan K, Lin Z, Cao S, Chen W, Fan Y, Guthrie QA, Sun H, Teske KA, Gandhi V, Arnold LA, Peng X. Hydrogen peroxide activated quinone methide precursors with enhanced DNA cross-linking capability and cytotoxicity towards cancer cells. Eur J Med Chem 133:197-207, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28388522.
- Jain N, Balakrishnan K, Ferrajoli A, O'Brien SM, Burger JA, Kadia TM, Cortes JE, Ayres ML, Tambaro FP, Keating MJ, Gandhi V, Wierda WG. A phase I-II trial of fludarabine, bendamustine and rituximab (FBR) in previously treated patients with CLL. Oncotarget 8(13):22104-22112, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27655665.
- Modi P, Balakrishnan K, Yang Q, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Idelalisib and bendamustine combination is synergistic and increases DNA damage response in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Oncotarget 8(10):16259-16274, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28187444.
- Vangapandu H, Havranek O, Ayres M, Kaipparettu BA, Balakrishnan K, Wierda WG, Keating M, Davis E, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. B cell receptor signaling regulates cellular metabolism in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Molecular Cancer Research, 2017. e-Pub 2017.
- Balakrishnan K, Fu M, Onida F, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Reactivation of Smac-mediated apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells: mechanistic studies of Smac mimetic. Oncotarget 7(26):39458-39472, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27223062.
- Sarkar A, Balakrishnan K, Chen J, Patel V, Neelapu SS, McMurray JS, Gandhi V. Molecular evidence of Zn chelation of the procaspase activating compound B-PAC-1 in B cell lymphoma. Oncotarget 7(3):3461-76, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26658105.
- Patel V, Balakrishnan K, Douglas M, Tibbitts T, Kutok J, Ayers M, Sarkar S, Guerrieri R, Wierda W, O’Brien S, Jain N, Stern H, Gandhi V. Duvelisib (IPI-145) treatment is associated with altered expression of apoptosis regulators and sensitization of chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells to venetoclax (ABT-199). Leukemia, 2016. e-Pub 2016.
- Balakrishnan K, Peluso M, Fu M, Rosin NY, Burger JA, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Faia K, O'Brien S, Kutok JL, Gandhi V. The phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)-delta and gamma inhibitor, IPI-145 (Duvelisib), overcomes signals from the PI3K/AKT/S6 pathway and promotes apoptosis in CLL. Leukemia 29(9):1811-22, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25917267.
- Cervantes-Gomez F, Lamothe B, Woyach JA, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Pharmacological and Protein Profiling Suggests Venetoclax (ABT-199) as Optimal Partner with Ibrutinib in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 21(16):3705-15, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25829398.
- Patel V, Balakrishnan K, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Expression of executioner procaspases and their activation by a procaspase-activating compound in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Blood 125(7):1126-36, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25538042.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger JA, Fu M, Doifode T, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Regulation of Mcl-1 expression in context to bone marrow stromal microenvironment in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Neoplasia 16(12):1036-46, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25499217.
- Chen W, Balakrishnan K, Kuang Y, Han Y, Fu M, Gandhi V, Peng X. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) inducible DNA cross-linking agents and their effect on cancer cells and normal lymphocytes. J Med Chem 57(11):4498-510, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24801734.
- Faderl S, Balakrishnan K, Thomas DA, Ravandi F, Borthakur G, Burger J, Ferrajoli A, Cortes J, O'Brien S, Kadia T, Feliu J, Plunkett W, Gandhi V, Kantarjian HM. Phase I and extension study of clofarabine plus cyclophosphamide in patients with relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 14(3):231-8, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24440659.
- Sandoval MR, Balakrishnan K, Luthra R, Keating M, Gandhi V. DNA repair initiation induces expression of ribonucleotide reductase in human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 55(4):876-83, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 23772636.
- Patel V, Chen LS, Wierda WG, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Impact of bone marrow stromal cells on Bcl-2 family members in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Leuk Lymphoma 55(4):899-910, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 23837491.
- Phillip CJ, Zaman S, Shentu S, Balakrishnan K, Zhang J, Baladandayuthapani V, Taverna P, Redkar S, Wang M, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. Targeting MET kinase with the small-molecule inhibitor amuvatinib induces cytotoxicity in primary myeloma cells and cell lines. J Hematol Oncol 6:92, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24326130.
- Balakrishnan K, Ravandi F, Bantia S, Franklin A, Gandhi V. Preclinical and clinical evaluation of forodesine in pediatric and adult B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk 13(4):458-66, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23773454.
- Ponader S, Chen SS, Buggy JJ, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, O'Brien S, Chiorazzi N, Burger JA. The Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor PCI-32765 thwarts chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell survival and tissue homing in vitro and in vivo. Blood 119(5):1182-9, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22180443.
- Kuang Y, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V, Peng X. Hydrogen peroxide inducible DNA cross-linking agents: targeted anticancer prodrugs. J Am Chem Soc 133(48):19278-81, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22035519.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger JA, Quiroga MP, Henneberg M, Ayres ML, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Influence of bone marrow stromal microenvironment on forodesine-induced responses in CLL primary cells. Blood 116(7):1083-91, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20442367.
- Balakrishnan K, Verma D, O'Brien S, Kilpatrick JM, Chen Y, Tyler BF, Bickel S, Bantia S, Keating MJ, Kantarjian H, Gandhi V, Ravandi F. Phase 2 and pharmacodynamic study of oral forodesine in patients with advanced, fludarabine-treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood 116(6):886-92, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20427701.
- Kurtova AV, Balakrishnan K, Chen R, Ding W, Schnabl S, Quiroga MP, Sivina M, Wierda WG, Estrov Z, Keating MJ, Shehata M, Jager U, Gandhi V, Kay NE, Plunkett W, Burger JA. Diverse marrow stromal cells protect CLL cells from spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis: development of a reliable and reproducible system to assess stromal cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance. Blood 114(20):4441-50, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19762485.
- Dennison JB, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Preclinical activity of 8-chloroadenosine with mantle cell lymphoma: roles of energy depletion and inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis. Br J Haematol 147(3):297-307, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19709085.
- Quiroga MP, Balakrishnan K, Kurtova AV, Sivina M, Keating MJ, Wierda WG, Gandhi V, Burger JA. B-cell antigen receptor signaling enhances chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell migration and survival: specific targeting with a novel spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, R406. Blood 114(5):1029-37, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19491390.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger JA, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. AT-101 induces apoptosis in CLL B cells and overcomes stromal cell-mediated Mcl-1 induction and drug resistance. Blood 113(1):149-53, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 18836097.
- Balakrishnan K, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Gossypol, a BH3 mimetic, induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Blood 112(5):1971-80, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18566329.
- Karp JE, Ricklis RM, Balakrishnan K, Briel J, Greer J, Gore SD, Smith BD, McDevitt MA, Carraway H, Levis MJ, Gandhi V. A phase 1 clinical-laboratory study of clofarabine followed by cyclophosphamide for adults with refractory acute leukemias. Blood 110(6):1762-9, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17562873.
- Balakrishnan K, Nimmanapalli R, Ravandi F, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Forodesine, an inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase, induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Blood 108(7):2392-8, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16778146.
- Balakrishnan K, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Mechanisms of cell death of chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes by RNA-directed agent, 8-NH2-adenosine. Clin Cancer Res 11(18):6745-52, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16166456.
- Balakrishnan K, Stellrecht CM, Genini D, Ayres M, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Leoni LM, Gandhi V. Cell death of bioenergetically compromised and transcriptionally challenged CLL lymphocytes by chlorinated ATP. Blood 105(11):4455-62, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15718423.
- Ebrahim AS, Babakrishnan K, Sakthisekaran D. Perchloroethylene-induced alterations in glucose metabolism and their prevention by 2-deoxy-D-glucose and vitamin E in mice. J Appl Toxicol 16(4):339-48, 1996. e-Pub 1996. PMID: 8854221.
- Balakrishnan K, Ebrahim AS, Gopalakrishnan R, Sakthisekaran D. Effect of perchloroethylene on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation studied in albino rats. Biomedicine 2:51-55, 1993. e-Pub 1993.
Review Articles
- Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Protein kinases: emerging therapeutic targets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 21(4):409-23, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22409342.
Other Articles
- Phillip CJ, Zaman S, Shentu S, Balakrishnan K, Zhang J, Baladandayuthapani V, Taverna P, Redkar S, Wang M, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V Erratum to: Targeting MET kinase with the small-molecule inhibitor amuvatinib induces cytotoxicity in primary myeloma cells and cell lines. J Hematol Oncol 9(1):110, 2016. PMID: 27737688.
Abstracts
- Le C, Weng J, Liu J, Aletti F, Cheng X, Tang Y, Patchva S, Richard M, Balakumaran M, Maeques-Piubeli M, Solis L, Lu W, Lin C, Chu F, Cao J, Rehman A, Rehman L, Singh K, Agbedia O, Gouni S, Darbaniyan F, Balakrishnan K, Saini N, Flowers CR, Iyer S, Vega F, Neelapu S. A novel CD94-targeting CAR T cell therapy for cytotoxic subtypes of T/NK-cell malignancies. ASH, 2025.
- Revuelta M, Mota I, Sahu V, Sainz T, Balakrishnan K, Moreno F, Zamponi N, Vega F, Flowers CR, Cerchietti L. Epigenetically driven upregulation of immunoproteasome component PSMB8 characterizes diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with inflammatory microenvironment in African ancestry patients. ASH, 2025.
- Weng J, Lee E, Aletti F, Le C, Chohan K, Rehman A, Cheng X, Cao J, Patchva S, Chu F, Tang Y, Rehman L, Singh K, Richard M, Lin C, Darbaniyan F, Balakrishnan K, Saini N, Green M, Iyer S, Vega F, Liu J, Casellas R, Neelapu S. Targeting B- and T-cell lymphomas with anti-CXCR5 CAR T cell therapy. ASH, 2025.
- Shah S, Li M, Lee M, Teater M, Balakrishnan K, Sahu V, Shanmugam V, Lee S, Kong I, Karagiannidis I, Sainz T, Leung W, Orlando A, Lee J, Pelzer B, Young D, Tumuluru S, Jaye D, Moustafa M, Peker D, Isshiki Y, Magliulo D, Shen H, Mukherjee P, Santella A, Bilal M, Fa p, Roth L, Inghirami G, Alagiozian V, Cerchietti L, Sidoli S, Rubinstein P, Zappasodi R, Béguelin W, Fedoriw Y, Vega F, Koff J, Flowers CR, Melnick A. Sasp-driven immune evasion defines a novel African ancestry-associated DLBCL subtype with distinctive molecular and immune vulnerabilities. ASH, 2025.
- Akkad N, Hilton L, Balakrishnan K, Duose D, Lau Y, Nwogbo OV, Lucas AS, Ghosh A, Erhumutemabor P, Ayers A, Hector A, Paponova S, Nesmelov A, Zemskiy P, Shvyrkova A, Sheehan L, Lauziere K, Podsvirova S, Postovalova E, Kotlov N, Bagaev A, Luthra R, Medeiros L, Patel K, Vega F, Fowler N, Scott D, Flowers CR. Evaluation of Gene Expression Assays to Classify Large B Cell Lymphoma by Molecular Subtype from Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded Tumor Biopsy Tissue (FFPET). SOHO, 2025.
- Lee MJ, Balakrishnan K, Zemskiy P, Ayres JD, McDonnell TJ, Akkad N, Kriukov K, Tkachuk A, Zornikova K, Nomie K, Bagaev A, Koff JL, Flowers CR. Tumor Genomics and Microenvironment Characterization of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Asian and Pacific Islander Patients 144(1):6209, 2024.
- Zhuang TZ, Feng L, Chihara D, Nze C, Ayers AA, Noorani M, Ayres JD, Duenas DE, Balakrishnan K, Nesterenko E, Meerson M, Zornikova K, Nomie K, Kotlov N, Fowler N, Rodriguez MA, Neelapu SS, Flowers CR, Strati P. Use of Molecular Immune Signatures for Frontline Treatment Selection in Patients with Advanced Stage Follicular Lymphoma. ASH, 2024.
- Akkad N, Ayers A, Balakrishnan K, Nastoupil L, Chihara D, Malpica L, Strati P, Li Z, Flowers CR. Treatment Patterns and Real World Outcomes with Clinical Trials for Patients with Follicular Lymphoma across Lines of Therapy. ASH 144(suppl 1):4396, 2024.
- Chihara D, Balakrishnan K, Masand G, Harkins RA, Akkad N, Novokreshchenova A, Bagaev A, Kotlov N, Postovalova E, Shugaev-Mendosa E, Gracheva Y, Lauziere K, Kaneunyenye L, McKenna B, Berlinski A, Walsh M, Larson L, Kotsinyan M, Samokhina A, Yong ST, Nomie K, Fowler NH, Flowers CR, Westin JR. Evaluating the Clinical Utility of Real-Time Comprehensive Whole Exome Sequencing and RNA-Seq for Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma. ASH 144:4364, 2024.
- Koff JL, Balakrishnan K, Churnetski M, Lee MJ, Kurilovich A, Paponova S, Nesmelov A, Zornikova K, Zemskiy P, Bagaev A, Kotlov N, Flowers CR. Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Monomorphic Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), 2024.
- Lee¹ M, Balakrishnan² K, Petrosyants A, Wiebe D, Nze² C, Akkad² NA, Ayres² A, Ayres² JD, McDonnell² TJ, Zemskiy P, Kriukov K, Nesmelov A, Zornikova K, Nomie K, Sarachakov A, Kotlov N, Koff¹ JL, Flowers CR. Genomic and Spatial Proteomic Characterization of the Microenvironment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in African American Patients 144(1):4348, 2024.
- Chihara D, Balakrishnan K, Masand G, Novokreshchenova A, Bagaev A, Kotlov N, Postovalova E, Shugaev-Mendosa E, Gracheva Y, Lauziere K, Kaneunyenye L, McKenna B, Berlinski A, Walsh M, Larson L, Kotsinyan M, Yong ST, Nomie K, Fowler N, Flowers CR, Westin J. Test-the-test: Clinical utility of comprehensive whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA-seq for lymphoma patients 5, 2024.
- Chihara D, Balakrishnan K, Masand G, Novokreshchenova A, Bagaev A, Kotlov N, Postovalova E, Shugaev-Mendosa E, Gracheva Y, Love A, Nomie K, Fowler N, Flowers CR, Westin J. Test-the-Test: Clinical Utility of Comprehensive Whole Exome Sequencing and RNA-Seq for Patients with Lymphoma 142(1):7155, 2023.
- Balakrishnan K, Peluso M, Fu M, Rosin NY, Burger JA, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Faia K, O’Brien S, Kutok JL, McGovern K, Gandhi V. Inhibition of PI3K-δ and -γ Isoforms by IPI-145 in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Overcomes Signals from PI3K/AKT/S6 Pathway and Promotes Apoptosis. e-Pub 2013.
- Pierce DW, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V, Heise C, Nacht M, Aslanian S, Liu X, Hong S, Wu S, Zavodovskaya M, Marine J, Barnett E, Nava-Parada P, Mei J, Chopra R, Burger JA, Singh J. The Covalent Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (Btk) Inhibitor CC-292 Blocks the Survival of CLL Cells In Vitro and Leads to Rapid-Onset Lymphocytosis in CLL Patients, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Shah P, Balakrishnan K, Wierda W, Gandhi V. Mechanism Based Combination Therapy of PI3Kinase δ specific inhibitor (GS-1101) with Bendamustine in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Nacht M, Evans E, Ponader S, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, O’Brien S, Singh J, Pierce DW, Heise C, Barnett E, Marine J, Nava-Parada P, Mei J, Chopra R, Burger JA. The Covalent Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor CC-292 Blocks the Survival of CLL Cells In Vitro and Leads to Rapid-Onset Lymphocytosis in CLL Patients. e-Pub 2013.
- Veerati T, Gandhi V, Balakrishnan K. Targeting Nitric Oxide Production in Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Balakrishnan K, Fu M, Onida F, Wierda W, Keating M, Gandhi V. Role of smac-mimetic in restoring apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. e-Pub 2013.
- Sarkar A, Chen J, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. L14R8, a Pac-1 derivative induce casapase-3 mediated apoptosis in mantle cell lymphoma. e-Pub 2013.
- Patel V, Wierda WG, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Novel caspase-3 activator, L14R8, induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. e-Pub 2013.
- Wierda WG, Balakrishnan K, Ferrajoli A, Kadia T, Cortes JE, O'Brien S, Burger JA, Tambaro FP, Jalayer A, Lerner S, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. A Phase I/II Trial of Fludarabine, Bendamustine, and Rituximab (FBR) Chemoimmunotherapy for previously Treated Patients with CLL. e-Pub 2012.
- Chen J, Sarkar A, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Caspase activator L14R8 induces apoptosis in Mantle cell lymphoma cells. e-Pub 2012.
- Patel V, Chen LS, Wierda WG, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Impact of bone marrow microenvironment on 93 apoptotic pathway target mRNA expression in CLL cells. e-Pub 2012.
- Balakrishnan K, Fu M, Onida F, Wierda W, Keating M, Gandhi V. Restoration of Smac-mediated apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. e-Pub 2012.
- Wierda WG, Balakrishnan K, Ferrajoli A, Kadia T, Cortes JE, O'Brien S, Burger JA, Tambaro FP, Jalayer A, Lerner S, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. A Phase I/II Trial of Fludarabine, Bendamustine, and Rituximab (FBR) Chemoimmunotherapy for previously Treated Patients with CLL 118:3901. e-Pub 2011.
- Verma D, Balakrishnan K, O’Brien S, Thomas DA, Ferrajoli A, Wierda W, Verma A, Faderl S, Bickel S, Bantia S, Kantarjian H, Keating M, Gandhi V, Ravandi F. Phase II, single center study of oral Forodesine in patients with advanced, Fludarabine-treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger J, Quiroga M, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Mechanisms of marrow stromal cells (MSC) rescuing chronic lympchocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes from forodesine-induced apoptosis, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Dennison JB, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. 8-Chloro-adenosine reduces intracellular ATP and dATP levels promoting growth inhibition and death of mantle cell lymphoma cell lines 69(9):1820, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Chen LS, Vethantham V, Balakrishnan K, Wierda WG, Manley JL, Gandhi V. Elevated expression and post-translational modification of poly(A) polymerase in CLL primary cells, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Phillip CJ, Balakrishnan K, Stellrecht C, Gandhi V. MP470, a small molecule MET inhibitor, induces apoptoisi in multiple myeloma cells, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger J, Quiroga M, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. Mechanisms of marrow stromal cells (MSC) rescuing chronic lympchocytic leukemia (CLL) lymphocytes from forodesine-induced apoptosis, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Balakrishnan K, Burger J, Keating M, Wierda WG, Gandhi V. AT-101-induced apoptosis in CLL cells in independent of cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Balakrishnan K, Wierda W, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. BH3-mimetic gossypol induced AIF-mediated, caspase-independent apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Balakrishnan K, Nimmanapalli R, Keating MJ, Ravandi F, Gandhi V. Preclinical and early clinical study of forodesine hydrochloride (FH) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Ricklis R, Levis M, Gandhi V, Greer J, Briel J, Balakrishnan K, Karp J. Phase I clinical – laboratory trial of Clofarabine (CLO) followed by cyclophosphamide (CY) for adults with refractory Acute Leukemias: Evidence for enhanced DNA damage, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Balakrishnan K, Keating MJ, Ravandi F, Gandhi V. Development of Forodesine Hydrochloride (FH), An Inhibitor of Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase, for Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Balakrishnan K, Keating MJ, Ravandi F, Gandhi V. Forodesine, an inhibitor of purine nucleoside phosphorylase, induces apoptosis in CLL lymphocytes. Leukemia Lymphoma 46(suppl 1):S103, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Balakrishnan K, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. The RNA-directed analog, 8-amino-adenosine (8-NH2-Ado) induces cytotoxicity in human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Balakrishnan K, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. The RNA-directed analog, 8-amino-adenosine (8-NH2-Ado) induces cytotoxicity in human chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells 46:146-147, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Balakrishnan K, Ayres M, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Bioenergetically compromised and transcriptionally challenged chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells under apoptosis with halogenated ATP 45:477, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Shah P, Balakrishnan K, Wierda W, Gandhi V. Mechanism Based Combination Therapy of PI3Kinase δ specific inhibitor (GS-1101) with Bendamustine in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
- Balakrishnan K. Novel Caspase-3 Activator, L14R8, Induces Apoptosis in CLL cells.
- Sarkar A, Balakrishnan K, Ayres M, Neelapu SS, Gandhi V. Essential role of Ataxia Telangiechasia in mitochondrial autophagy in Mantle Cell Lymphoma.
- Cervantes-Gomez F, Balakrishnan K, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Gandhi V. Ex-vivo and in-vitro combination strategies with ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Vangapandu HV, Balakrishnan K, Wierda WG, Keating MJ, Stellrecht CM, Gandhi V. Marrow stromal cells promote mitochondrial energy metabolism in primary CLL cells without impacting cellular proliferation.
Book Chapters
- Balakrishnan K, Bojja K, Decker W, Keating MJ. Hide and Seek: Game between CLL cells and BCR inhibitors. In: EMJ, 2017.
- Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Uncoupling Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Autophagy: A Potential Implication for CLL Therapy. In: Leuk Lymphoma, 2581-3, 2013.
- Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Bcl-2 antagonists: a proof of concept for CLL therapy. In: Invest New Drugs, 1384-94, 2013.
- Gandhi V, Balakrishnan K. CCL2 in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a macro in microenvironment?. In: Leuk Lymphoma, 1849-50, 2012.
- Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Protein Kinases: Emerging therapeutic targets in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In: Expert Opin Investig Drugs, 409-23, 2012.
- Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. The micros in harmony: microRNA and microenvironment. In: Leuk Lymphoma, 1626-9, 2011.
- Chen LS, Balakrishnan K, Gandhi V. Inflammation and survival pathways: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia as a model system. In: Biochem Pharmacol, 1936-45, 2010.
- Gandhi V, Balakrishnan K, Chen LS. MCL-1: The 1 in CLL. In: Blood, 3538-40, 2008.
- Gandhi V, Balakrishnan K. Forodesine- A T-Cell targeted therapeutic. In: Semin Oncol, S8-12, 2007.
- Balakrishnan K, Patel V, Gandhi V. Apoptosis pathways in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Role of the microenvironment and therapeutic strategies.
Letters to the Editor
- Balakrishnan K, Aggarwal S, Wierda W, Gandhi V. Bax and Bak are required for apogossypolone, a BH3-mimetic, induced apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. Leuk Lymphoma 54: 1097-100, 2013.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026