Doctor Leung Kam Tong
CUHK Employment
Assistant Professor, Department of Paediatrics, CUHK
Phone Number
+852 3513 3176
Researcher ID
Web of Science Researcher ID: I-8569-2017
Research Theme
Biography
Dr. KT Leung did his PhD and postdoctoral training in the Department of Paediatrics, CUHK from 2006 to 2014, and thereafter started his academic career in the same Department and currently leads a young but ambitious Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Research Team in the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital, comprising 3 postdoctoral fellows, 5 PhD/MPhil/MSc students and 3 research assistants.
He is a dedicated haematologist with ample experience in translational research of blood diseases. His laboratory primarily focuses on deciphering the molecular mechanisms of haematopoietic stem cell trafficking and deriving novel targeted therapies for childhood acute leukemia. He published in leading journals in the field of Hematology, including Blood and Leukemia, and has obtained 22 research grants (12 as PI; HKD 13.8 million; including external competitive GRF, HMRF and ITF as well as funding from CCF and CTF).
Education
PhD (Medical Sciences), MPhil (Biology), BSc (Biology)
Research Interest
Therapeutic antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors for childhood acute leukemia
Functional genomics of childhood acute leukemia and its application for precision medicine
Immunology of childhood acute leukemia and chimeric antigen receptor T cells
Molecular mechanisms of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Expertise
High-parameter flow cytometry;
Genomic and drug profiling;
Epigenetics;
Animal models of leukemia and stem cells
Others
(1) Awards and Honors
2019 Young Investigator Award, International Society of Paediatric Oncology
2019 Best Abstract Award, Hong Kong Society of Haematology
2018 Travel Award, European Hematology Association
2013 Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology
2007 Abstract Achievement Award, American Society of Hematology
2003 TY Wong Innovation and Entrepreneurial Fellowship, CUHK
2002 Ho Tim Scholarship, CUHK
2001, 2002 Dean’s Honours List, Faculty of Science, CUHK
2001, 2002 United College Endowment Fund Prize, CUHK
2001 Wu Chung Scholarship, CUHK
(2) Professional Memberships
Member, International Society of Paediatric Oncology
Member, Hong Kong Society of Haematology
President and Council Member, Hong Kong Society of Flow Cytometry
Member, European Hematology Association
Member, Hong Kong Paediatric Haematology & Oncology Study Group
(3) Journal Editorship
Associate Editor, Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
Patent
U.S. Patent 15/653,325: CD9 as a therapeutic target for hematologic malignancies
Publications
- Leung KT, Zhang C, Chan KY, Li K, Cheung JT, Ng MH, Zhang XB, Sit T, Lee WY, Kang W, To KF, Yu JW, Man TK, Wang H, Tsang KS, Cheng FW, Lam GK, Chow TW, Leung AW, Leung TF, Yuen PM, Ng PC, Li CK. CD9 blockade suppresses disease progression of high-risk pediatric B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and enhances chemosensitivity. Leukemia. 2020; 34(3):709-720.
- Huang B, Wang B, Lee WY, Pong UK, Leung KT, Li X, Liu Z, Chen R, Lin JC, Tsang LL, Liu B, Ruan YC, Chan HC, Li G, Jiang X. KDM3A and KDM4C regulate mesenchymal stromal cell senescence and bone aging via condensin-mediated heterochromatin reorganization. iScience. 2019; 21:375-390.
- Wu YZ, Chan KY, Leung KT, Lam HS, Tam YH, Lee KH, Li K, Ng PC. Dysregulation of miR-431 and target gene FOXA1 in intestinal tissues of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. FASEB J. 2019; 33(4):5143-5152.
- Ng PC, Chan KY, Yuen TP, Sit T, Lam HS, Leung KT, Wong RP, Chan LC, Pang YL, Cheung HM, Chu WC, Li K. Plasma miR-1290 is a novel and specific biomarker for early diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis – biomarker discovery with prospective cohort evaluation. J Pediatr. 2019; 205:83-90.e10.
- Suen WC, Lee WY, Leung KT, Pan XH, Li G. Natural killer cell-based cancer immunotherapy: a review on 10 years completed clinical trials. Cancer Invest. 2018; 36(8):431-457. [Review]
- Zhang T, Zhou J, Man GC, Leung KT, Liang B, Xiao B, Ma X, Huang S, Huang H, Hegde VL, Zhong Y, Li Y, Kong GWS, Yiu AK, Kwong J, Ng PC, Lessey BA, Nagarkatti PS, Nagarkatti M, Wang CC. MDSCs drive the process of endometriosis by enhancing angiogenesis and are a new potential therapeutic target. Eur J Immunol. 2018; 48(6):1059-1073.
- Lam HS, Chan KY, Ip M, Leung KT, Lo NW, Wong RP, Li K, Ng PC. Rapid identification of bacterial antibiotic resistance by qPCR in infants with gram-negative septicaemia: a proof-of-concept study. Neonatology. 2017; 111(2):145-152.
- Leung KT, Lam HS, Chan KY, Sit T, Wong RP, Yu JW, Li K, Ng PC. Regulation of circulating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in preterm infants with septicemia. Stem Cells Dev. 2016; 25(23):1780-1787.
- Leung KT, Chan KY, Ma TP, Yu JW, Tong JH, Tam YH, Cheung HM, To KF, Lam HS, Lee KH, Li K, Ng PC. Dysregulated expression of arginine metabolic enzymes in human intestinal tissues of necrotizing enterocolitis and response of CaCO2 cells to bacterial components. J Nutr Biochem. 2016; 29(3):64-72.
- Chan KY, Leung KT, Tam YH, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Ma TP, Lee KH, To KF, Li K, Ng PC. Genome-wide expression profiles of necrotizing enterocolitis versus spontaneous intestinal perforation in human intestinal tissues: dysregulation of functional pathways. Ann Surg. 2014; 260(6):1128-1137.
- Fong ON, Chan KY, Leung KT, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Leung TY, Li K, Ng PC. Expression profile of cord blood neutrophils and dysregulation of HSPA1A and OLR1 upon challenge by bacterial peptidoglycan. J Leukoc Biol. 2014; 95(1):169-178.
- Lam HS, Cheung HM, Poon TC, Wong RP, Leung KT, Li K, Ng PC. Neutrophil CD64 for daily surveillance of systemic infection and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Clin Chem. 2013; 59(12):1753-1760.
- Ng EW, Poon TC, Lam HS, Cheung HM, Ma TP, Chan KY, Wong RP, Leung KT, Lam MM, Li K, Ng PC. Gut-associated biomarkers L-FABP, I-FABP, and TFF3 and LIT score for diagnosis of surgical necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Ann Surg. 2013; 258(6):1111-1118.
- Leung KT, Chan KY, Ng PC, Lau TK, Chiu WM, Tsang KS, Li CK, Kong CK, Li K. The tetraspanin CD9 regulates migration, adhesion and homing of human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Blood. 2011; 117(6): 1840-1850.
- Leung KT, Li K, Sun SM, Chan PK, Ooi VE, Chiu LC. Activation of the JNK pathway promotes phosphorylation and degradation of BimEL – a novel mechanism of chemoresistance in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Carcinogenesis. 2008; 29(3): 544-551.
