MD
Associate Professor, Medicine
Chief, Leukemia Research
Director, Clinical Cancer Research Commercial Integration
Associate Chief of Research, Hematology
UNC-Chapel Hill
Cancer Therapeutics Research Program
Meet Joshua Zeidner
Area of Interest
I lead the Leukemia Research Group and the Leukemia Clinical Trials Research Protocol Office Disease (POD) Group where we have a multitude of cutting-edge clinical trials for acute leukemia, MDS and myeloproliferative neoplasms. I am the Principal Investigator of industry-sponsored, investigator-initiated, and academic collaborative clinical trials evaluating novel agents in MDS and AML.
My research interests include discovering innovative methods to improve outcomes, drug discovery and development, and designing clinical trials in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). I have a particular interest and expertise in the development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches such as menin inhibitors, immunotherapeutic approaches, and therapies targeted towards differentiation and apoptosis pathways.
I have led the development of novel immunotherapeutic strategies including the design of the first clinical trial evaluating pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1, in combination with chemotherapy for relapsed/refractory AML patients. I have also led the development of pomalidomide, an immunomodulatory agent, in combination with intensive chemotherapy for newly diagnosed AML patients.
In collaboration with the Beat AML Consortium, a national academic collaboration with other leading institutions sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma and Society, I led the design and development of a phase 1b study of azacitidine, venetoclax and revumenib, a menin inhibitor targeting NPM1 mutations or KMT2A rearrangements, in newly diagnosed older AML patients with NPM1 mutation or KMT2A rearrangements. This was the first study evaluating the combination of menin inhibitors with standard azacitidine and venetoclax for newly diagnosed AML patients. These results have led to the development of a randomized phase 3 study of azacitidine, venetoclax, and revumenib or placebo for newly diagnosed older AML patients with NPM1 mutation or KMT2A rearrangement where I will be the U.S. lead for this important study.
Awards and Honors
- Junior Faculty Development Award, 2016
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Special Fellow in Clinical Research, 2014
- Bradley Stuart Beller Merit Award – awarded top abstract submitted by fellow to 2014 ASCO Conference, 2014
- Recipient of National Institute of Health (NIH) Loan Repayment Program, 2013
- ASCO Conquer Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award, In memory of John R. Durant, MD, 2013
- American Society of Hematology (ASH) Abstract Achievement Award for 2012 ASH Conference, Atlanta, GA, 2012
- Selected Participant in AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop, Vail, CO, 2012
- Samuel Smith Leukemia Fellowship Award, 2012
- Department of Medicine Academic Award, 2008
- Selected Participant for Ninth Annual American College of Physicians Board Review, 2007
- Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, 2007
- American Society for Clinical Pathology Award, 2006
- Magna Cum Laude, 2004
- Golden Key International Honor Society, 2002
- Dean’s Scholarship, 2000
News and Stories
Novel drug combination is safe and benefits people with acute myeloid leukemia who have a specific genetic profile
Joshua Zeidner, MD, and colleagues report that a combination therapy that adds a recently approved drug to the current standard of care for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia showed high rates of complete remission in an early-phase clinical trial.
UNC researchers presenting research advances at American Society of Hematology annual meeting
Nearly two dozen UNC faculty members and trainees will present research and participate in scientific symposia and educational sessions at the ASH Annual Meeting.
