Researcher Spotlight: Christina Poh, MD

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON/FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER

Stephanie A. Gregory, MD Distinguished Scholar

Survival outcomes with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) are poor, with many patients relapsing after their first line of treatment and only about 1 in 5 patients surviving for at least 5 years after diagnosis. To help reduce the likelihood of recurrence and extend survival in these patients, Dr. Poh is working to develop a novel therapeutic approach using low-dose non-chemotherapeutics that can be employed after initial treatment. By tracking the number of patients whose disease remains under control with this additional therapy, and by correlating treatment responses with tumor genetics, Dr. Poh hopes to establish a new maintenance strategy to improve outcomes in patients with PTCL.

Dr. Poh earned her medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. She completed a hematology/oncology fellowship at the University of California Davis and is currently an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. She was inspired to a career in cancer research following the loss of her grandmother. “Her memory serves as a constant reminder of the countless individuals worldwide who are battling this relentless disease,” she says. “Through my dedication to cancer research, I strive to honor her legacy by contributing to the collective effort to improve outcomes and provide hope to those affected by cancer.”

Dr. Poh is optimistic about the future of lymphoma research and treatment in light of recent advances that allow for a more individualized approach to treatment. “These advancements not only improve survival rates but also enhance the quality of life for patients, with fewer side effects and more effective long-term outcomes,” she says. “As a result, I am filled with hope and optimism for a future where lymphoma may one day be a manageable or even curable condition for all those affected.”