- Molecular and cellular biologist with extensive experience in oncology research including target validation, biomarker discovery, drug mechanism, immunology, and translational research. - Experienced project leader able to effectively manage collaborative projects and communicate across teams. - Background includes positions at Pharmacyclics, Inc., Stanford University, and MD Anderson Cancer Center investigating various areas of cancer research including B cell lymphomas, acute myeloid leukemias, biomarkers, drug combinations, and tumor microenvironment.

1. Hsu-Ping (Sunny) Kuo, Ph.D.
SUMMARY
 Molecular and cellular biologist with a strong publication record and extensive experience in oncology
target validation, biomarker discovery, drug function mechanism, immunology, and translational
research.
 Experienced project leader with excellent communication skills to effectively manage collaborative
projects across functional teams.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
 Investigated mechanism of action of BTK inhibitors including ibrutinib in B cell lymphomas.
 Studied the mechanisms of drug resistance and provided the rationale for the combination treatment.
 Identified biomarkers for patient stratification in B cell lymphomas.
 Investigated drug-mediated immune functional modulation.
 Investigated the combination effect of drugs targeted immune modulation or epigenetic regulation
with BTK inhibitor for cancer treatment.
 Studied the effect of tumor microenvironment on amino acid metabolism, adhesion molecules, surface
markers, miRNAs, and cytokine secretion.
Publication: Am. J. Cancer Res. (accepted), Mol. Cancer Ther. (revised)
Presentation: ASH (2014 oral)(2015 oral)(2016), AACR (2015)(2016)
Patent: WO/2014/168975, WO/2016/014859, WO/2016/022853, WO/2016/019341, WO/2016/081460
Provisional patent: 62/191,177
 Identified critical phospho-regulators in acute myeloid leukemias through forward genetic screen.
 Investigated the role of NF-B in epigenetic regulation.
 Clarified the epigenetic landscape in leukemia stem cells.
Publication: Cancer Cell (2013)(2015)
Presentation: Era of Hope (2011)
 Elucidated the role of Apobec3G in hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.
 Demonstrated FOXA2 phosphorylation and suppression by IKK promotes NOTCH mediated
tumorigenesis.
 Studied IKK/mTOR/VEGF signaling pathway in obesity-related breast cancer.
Sunny.kuo001@gmail.com 125 Connemara Way, Unit 72, Sunnyvale, CA 94087 Cell: 408-636-8892
Pharmacyclics, Inc. Scientist I
Scientist II
Scientist III
Department of Research
Oct. 2013-Jan. 2015
Feb. 2015-Feb. 2016
Mar. 2016-present
Stanford University Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Pathology
May 2010-Oct. 2013
MD Anderson Cancer Center Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Molecular and Cellular
Oncology
Aug. 2009-Apr. 2010

2.  Demonstrated LYN phosphorylation by EGFR potentiates MCM7-mediated DNA replication.
 Clarified the role of syntaxin 6-mediated Golgi transportation in nuclear functions of EGFR.
Publication: J. Clin. Invest. (2011), Mol. Cell (2012), Mol. Cancer Ther. (2012), Cancer Cell (2013), Oncogene
(2014)
 Investigated IKK/TSC1 regulation in mTOR-mediated tumorigenesis and angiogenesis.
 Elucidated phosphorylation and degradation of FOXO3a by RAS-ERK.
 Clarified bile acid exposure mediated mTOR regulation in Barrett's-associated esophageal
adenocarcinoma.
 Studied the role of ERK/PIN1 inhibition mediated MCL-1 downregulation in sorafenib induced
chemosensitization.
 Investigated the mechanisms of MAD1 suppression by AKT phosphorylation.
 Demonstrated IKK induced ARD1 phosphorylation and destabilization.
 Elucidated KEAP1 regulation of IKK mediated NF-B suppression.
 Studied TNF induced HIF1 expression through activation of IKK.
 Demonstrated ARD1 stabilization of TSC2 suppresses mTOR-mediated tumorigenesis.
 Investigated the crosstalk between Arg 1175 methylation and Tyr 1173 phosphorylation of EGFR in ERK
regulation.
Publication: Cell (2007), Nat. Cell Biol. (2008) (2011), Cancer Res. (2008), Int. J. Mol. Med. (2008), Mol.
Carcinog. (2009), Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (2009), Mol. Cell (2009), Sci. Signal. (2010), Am. J.
Transl. Res. (2010)
Presentation: Era of Hope (2008), AACR (2009 oral)
 Combined endostatin and cytosine deaminase in cancer gene therapy.
 Targeted gene therapy of BikDD in breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers.
 Conducted preclinical toxicity study of gene therapy.
Publication: Cancer Res. (2003), Cancer Gene Ther. (2004)(2006), Cancer Cell (2007)
 Generated monocyte-derived dendritic cells and applied in hepatoma immunotherapy.
 Isolated stem cells from human umbilical cord blood.
 Determined NK cell activity in patients received dendritic cell immunotherapy.
 Established immune function assays to evaluate patient response.
 Produced proteins by using bacterial, yeast, and baculovirus expression systems.
Publication: J. Immunother. (2005)
 Investigated airborne mold induced allergy response.
 Established ELISA assay to detect oxidized LDL and HDL.
MD Anderson Cancer Center Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Molecular and Cellular
Oncology
Aug. 2004-Aug. 2009
Alchemgen Therapeutics Inc. Research Assistant II Mar. 2003-Jun. 2004
Anawrahta Biotech. Co., Ltd. Research Fellow Apr. 1999-Feb. 2003
National Taiwan University Research Assistant
Graduate Institute of Immunology
Jun. 1998-Mar. 1999

3. Publication: Eur. J. Immunol. (1999)
 Improved HBV DNA vaccine by codelivery of cytokines.
 Produced recombinant HBsAg-IL-2 fusion protein to enhance immune response to HBV.
 Compared immune response induced by intramuscular injection and gene gun immunization.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
Ph.D. The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Cancer Biology Program
Aug. 2004-Aug. 2009
M.S. National Taiwan University
Immunology Program
Sep. 1996-Jun. 1998
B.S. National Taiwan University Sep. 1992-Jun. 1996
HONORS AND AWARDS
1. Tumor Biology program Postdoctoral Fellowship, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. (2013)
2. Cancer Biology Program NRSA Fellowship Award, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. (2012)
3. Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. (2011)
4. Poster Presentation Award, First Place, Symposia on Cancer Research 2009 “Cellular Energy, Metabolism
and Cancer”, Houston, TX. (2009)
5. Trainee Excellence Award, U.T. MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. (2008)
6. Andrew Sowell-Wade Huggins Scholarship, U.T. Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX.
(2007)
7. Predoctoral Traineeship Award, U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Research Program
(2007)
8. Employee Recognition Award, Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, U.T. MD Anderson Cancer
Center, Houston, TX. (2005)
PUBLICATIONS
1. HP Kuo, SA Ezell, S Hsieh, KJ Schweighofer, LW Cheung, S Wu, M Apatira, M Sirisawad, K Eckert, Y Liang, J
Hsu, CT Chen, D Beaupre, BY Chang. The role of PIM1 in the ibrutinib-resistant ABC subtype of diffuse large
B cell lymphoma. Am. J. Cancer Res. 6, 2489-2501.
2. HP Kuo, SA Ezell, KJ Schweighofer, LW Cheung, S Hsieh, M Apatira, M Sirisawad, K Eckert, J Hsu, CT Chen, D
Beaupre, M Versele, BY Chang. Combination of ibrutinib and ABT-199 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and
follicular lymphoma. Mol. Cancer Ther. (revised)
3. SH Wong, DL Goode, M Iwasaki, MC Wei, HP Kuo, L Zhu, D Schneidawind, J Duque-Afonso, Z Weng, ML
Cleary (2015). The H3K4-methyl epigenome regulates leukemia stem cell oncogenic potential. Cancer Cell
28, 198-209.
Academia Sinica Graduate Research Assistant
Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Sep. 1996-Jun. 1998

4. 4. Y Du, J Shen, JL Hsu, Z Han, MC Hsu, CC Yang, HP Kuo, YN Wang, H Yamaquchi, SA Miller, MC Hung (2014).
Syntaxin 6-mediated Golgi transportation plays an important role in nuclear functions of EGFR through
microtubule-dependent trafficking. Oncogene 33, 756-770.
5. HP Kuo, Z Wang, DF Lee, M Iwasaki, J Duque-Afonso, SH Wong, CH Lin, ME Figueroa, J Su, IR Lemischka, ML
Cleary (2013). Epigenetic roles of MLL oncoproteins are dependent on NF-B. Cancer Cell 24, 423-437.
6. TH Huang, L Huo, YN Wang, W Xia, Y Wei, SS Chang, WC Chang, YF Fang, CT Chen, JY Lang, C Tu, Y Wang,
MC Hsu, HP Kuo, HW Ko, J Shen, HH Lee, PC Lee, Y Wu, CH Chen, MC Hung (2013). Epidermal growth factor
receptor potentiates MCM7-mediated DNA replication through tyrosine phosphorylation of Lyn kinase in
human cancers. Cancer Cell 23, 796-810.
7. CT Chen, Y Du, H Yamaguchi, JM Hsu, HP Kuo, GN Hortobagyi, MC Hung (2012). Targeting the
IKK/mTOR/VEGF signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity-related breast cancer.
Mol. Cancer Ther. 11, 2212-2221.
8. M Liu, DF Lee, CT Chen, CJ Yen, LY Li, HJ Lee, CJ Chang, WC Chang, JM Hsu, HP Kuo, W Xia, Y Wei, PC Chiu,
CK Chou, Y Du, D Dhar, M Karin, CH Chen, MC Hung (2012). IKK activation of NOTCH links tumorigenesis
via FOXA2 suppression. Mol. Cell 45, 171-184.
9. Q Ding, CJ Chang, X Xie, W Xia, JY Yang, SC Wang, Y Wang, J Xia, L Chen, C Cai, H Li, CJ Yen, HP Kuo, DF Lee,
JY Lang, L Huo, X Cheng, YJ Chen, CW Li, LB Jeng, J Hsu, LY Li, A Tan, SA Curley, L Ellis, R DuBois, MC Hung
(2011). Apobec3G promotes liver metastasis in orthotopic colorectal cancer mouse model and predicts
human hepatic metastasis. J. Clin. Invest. 121, 4526-4536.
10. JM Hsu, CT Chen, CK Chou, HP Kuo, LY Li, CY Lin, HJ Lee, YN Wang, M Liu, HW Liao, B Shi, CC Lai, MT
Bedford, CH Tsai, MC Hung (2011). Crosstalk between Arg 1175 methylation and Tyr 1173 phosphorylation
negatively modulates EGFR-mediated ERK activation. Nat. Cell Biol. 13, 174-181.
11. HP Kuo, MC Hung (2010). Arrest-defective 1 protein (ARD1)-tumor suppressor or oncoprotein? Am. J.
Transl. Res. 2, 56-64.
12. HP Kuo, DF Lee, CT Chen, M Liu, CK Chou, HJ Lee, Y Du, X Xie, Y Wei, W Xia, Z Weihua, JY Yang, CJ Yen, TH
Huang, M Tan, G Xing, Y Zhao, CH Lin, SF Tsai, IJ Fidler, MC Hung (2010). ARD1 stabilization of TSC2
suppresses tumorigenesis via the mTOR signaling pathway. Sci. Signal. 3, ra9.
13. HP Kuo, DF Lee, W Xia, Y Wei, MC Hung (2009). TNF- induces HIF-1 expression through activation of
IKK. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 389, 640-644.
14. DF Lee, HP Kuo, M Liu, CK Chou, W Xia, Y Du, J Shen, CT Chen, L Huo, MC Hsu, CW Li, Q Ding, TL Liao, CC
Lai, AC Lin, YH Chang, SF Tsai, LY Li, MC Hung (2009). KEAP1 E3 ligase-mediated down-regulation of NF-B
signaling by targeting IKK. Mol. Cell 36, 131-140.
15. HP Kuo, DF Lee, W Xia, CC Lai, LY Li, MC Hung (2009). Phosphorylation of ARD1 by IKK contributes to its
destabilization. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 389, 156-161.
16. CK Chou, DF Lee, HL Sun, LY Li, CY Lin, WC Huang, JM Hsu, HP Kuo, H Yamaguchi, YN Wang, M Liu, HY Wu,
PC Liao, CJ Yen, MC Hung (2009). The suppression of MAD1 by AKT-mediated phosphorylation activates
MAD1 target genes transcription. Mol. Carcinog. 48, 1048-1058.
17. DF Lee, HP Kuo, CT Chen, Y Wei , CK Chou, JY Hung, CJ Yen, MC Hung (2008). IKK suppression of TSC1
function links the mTOR pathway with insulin resistance. Int. J. Mol. Med. 22, 633-638.
18. Q Ding, L Huo, JY Yang, W Xia, Y Wei, Y Liao, CJ Chang, DF Lee, Y Yang, CC Lai, CJ Yen, YY Chen, JM Hsu, HP
Kuo, CY Lin, FJ Tsai, LY Li, CH Tsai, MC Hung (2008). Downregulation of Mcl-1 through inhibiting Erk/Pin 1
pathway by sorafenib facilitates chemosensitization in breast cancer. Cancer Res. 68, 6109-6117.
19. CJ Yen, JG Izzo, DF Lee, S Guha, Y Wei, TT Wu, CT Chen, HP Kuo, JM Hsu, HL Sun, CK Chou, NS Buttar, KK
Wang, P Huang, J Ajani, MC Hung (2008). Bile acid exposure up-regulates tuberous sclerosis complex
1/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in Barrett's-associated esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cancer
Res. 68, 2632-2640.
20. JY Yang, CS Zong, W Xia, H Yamaguchi, Q Ding, X Xie, JY Lang, CC Lai, CJ Chang, WC Huang, H Huang, HP
Kuo, DF Lee, LY Li, HC Lien, X Cheng, KJ Chang, CD Hsiao, FJ Tsai, CH Tsai, AA Sahin, WJ Muller, GB Mills, D

5. Yu, GN Hortobagyi, MC Hung (2008). ERK promotes tumorigenesis by inhibiting FOXO3a via MDM2-
mediated degradation. Nat. Cell Biol. 10, 138-148.
21. DF Lee, HP Kuo, CT Chen, JM Hsu, CK Chou, Y Wei, HL Sun, LY Li, B Ping, WC Huang, X He, JY Hung, CC Lai, Q
Ding, JL Su, JY Yang, AA Sahin, GN Hortobagyi, FJ Tsai, CH Tsai, MC Hung (2007). Suppression of TSC1 by
IKK confers tumor angiogenesis through the mTOR pathway. Cell 130, 440-455.
22. X Xie, W Xia, Z Li, HP Kuo, Y Liu, Z Li, Q Ding, S Zhang, B Spohn, Y Yang, Y Wei, JY Lang, DB Evans, PJ Chiao,
JL Abbruzzese, MC Hung (2007). Targeted expression of BikDD eradicates pancreatic tumors in noninvasive
imaging models. Cancer Cell 12, 52-65.
23. CP Day, KM Rau, L Qiu, CW Liu, HP Kuo, X Xie, G Lopez-Berestein, GN Hortobagyi, MC Hung (2006). Mutant
Bik expression mediated by the enhanced minimal topoisomerase II promoter selectively suppressed
breast tumors in an animal model. Cancer Gene Ther. 13, 706-719.
24. KH Chi, SJ Liu, CP Li, HP Kuo, YS Wang, Y Chao, SL Hsieh (2005). Combination of conformal radiotherapy
and intratumoral injection of adoptive dendritic cell immunotherapy in refractory hepatoma. J.
Immunother. 28, 129-135.
25. JS Chen, JC Liu, L Shen, KM Rau, HP Kuo, YM Li, D Shi, YC Lee, KJ Chang, MC Hung (2004). Cancer-specific
activation of the survivin promoter and its potential use in gene therapy. Cancer Gene Ther. 11, 740-747.
26. YM Li, Y Wen, BP Zhou, HP Kuo, Q Ding, MC Hung (2003). Enhancement of Bik antitumor effect by Bik
mutants. Cancer Res. 63, 7630-7633.
27. GH Wan, CS Li, SP Guo (HP Kuo), Rylander R., RH Lin (1999). An airborne mold-derived product, beta-1,3-
D-glucan, potentiates airway allergic responses. Eur. J. Immunol. 29, 2491-2497.
PRESENTATIONS (*ORAL PRESENTATIONS)
1. HP Kuo, S Hsieh, J Whang, Y Huang, M Sirisawad, BY Chang. Ibrutinib potentiated NK cell-mediated
cytotoxicity in mouse models of B-cell lymphomas. American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting
(Dec. 2016). San Diego, CA. Published in Blood 128, 4140.
2. HP Kuo, S Hsieh, K Schweighofer, LW Cheung, M Apatira, M Sirisawad, S Wu, K Eckert, Y Liang, J Hsu, CT
Chen, D Beaupre, BY Chang. Combinations of ibrutinib and corticosteroids in B-cell non-Hodgkin
lymphomas. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (Apr. 2016). New Orleans,
LA.
3. Y Huang, J Hsu, M Sirisawad, HP Kuo, BY Chang. The BTK inhibitor ibrutinib modulates T-cell immunity in
mouse models and in differentiated human T cells. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)
Annual Meeting (Apr. 2016). New Orleans, LA.
4. *HP Kuo, S Hsieh, K Schweighofer, LW Cheung, S Wu, M Apatira, M Sirisawad, K Eckert, Y Liang, J Hsu, BY
Chang. The role of PIM1 in the ibrutinib-resistant ABC subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma. American
Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting (Dec. 2015). Orlando, FL. Published in Blood 126, 699.
5. LW Cheung, K Schweighofer, S Wu, HP Kuo, K Eckert, S Balasubramanian, D Ricci, Y Liang, D Beaupre, BY
Chang. Mutation impact of targeted genes in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients treated with ibrutinib.
American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting (Dec. 2015). Orlando, FL. Published in Blood 126,
2642.
6. HP Kuo, S Hsieh, BY Chang. Synergistic effect of ibrutinib and inhibitors targeting TLR signaling in ABC-
subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual
Meeting (Apr. 2015). Philadelphia, PA.
7. *HP Kuo, R Crowley, L Xue, K Schweighofer, LW Cheung, S Hsieh, K Eckert, M Versele, BY Chang.
Combination of ibrutinib and BCL-2 or SYK inhibitors in ibrutinib resistant ABC-subtype of diffuse large B-
cell lymphoma. American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting (Dec. 2014). San Francisco, CA.
Published in Blood 124, 505.

6. 8. HP Kuo, Z Wang, DF Lee, M Iwasaki, J Duque-Afonso, SHK Wong, ME Figueroa, IR Lemischka, ML Cleary.
Maintenance of MLL leukemia through NF-B signaling. Department of Pathology Research Retreat (Jun.
2012). Stanford, CA.
9. *HP Kuo, ML Cleary. Maintenance of MLL leukemia through NF-B signaling. Cancer Biology Postdoctoral
Symposium (Jun. 2012). Stanford, CA.
10. HP Kuo, MC Hung. ARD1 stabilization of TSC2 suppresses tumorigenesis via the mTOR signaling pathway.
Era of Hope Conference (Aug. 2011). Orlando, FL.
11. *HP Kuo, DF Lee, MC Hung. The role of IKK/TSC1 regulation in tumorigenesis and insulin resistance.
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (Apr. 2009). Denver, CO.
12. HP Kuo, MC Hung. ARD1 stabilization of TSC2 suppresses tumorigenesis via the mTOR signaling pathway.
Symposia on Cancer Research 2009 “Cellular Energy, Metabolism and Cancer” (Apr. 2009). Houston, TX.
13. HP Kuo, DF Lee, CT Chen, JM Hsu, CK Chou, MC Hung. The role of IKK/TSC1 regulation in tumorigenesis
and insulin resistance. Symposia on Cancer Research 2009 “Cellular Energy, Metabolism and Cancer” (Apr.
2009). Houston, TX.
14. HP Kuo, MC Hung, DF Lee. Inhibition of MAD by AKT promotes HER-2 oncogenic signaling. Era of Hope
Conference (Jun. 2008). Baltimore, MD.
15. *HP Kuo, X Xie, MC Hung. Targeted expression of BikDD eradicates pancreatic tumors in noninvasive
imaging models. The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Cancer Biology Program
Retreat (Feb. 2008). Houston, TX.
PATENTS
1. B Hall, AK Sasser, M Schaffer, C Davis, T Casneuf, M Versele, W Ligtenberg, BY Chang, S Balasubramanian, R
Crowley, HP Kuo. Ibrutinib combination therapy. Publication No. WO/2014/168975.
2. HP Kuo, HK Hsieh, BY Chang. BET inhibitor and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor combinations. Publication
No. WO/2016/014859.
3. S Balasubramanian, HP Kuo, HK Hsieh, BY Chang, L Xue, L Cheung. Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor
combinations and uses thereof. Publication No. WO/2016/022853.
4. K Schweighofer, K Eckert, HP Kuo, BY Chang, D Beaupre, L Cheung. Biomarkers for predicting response of
DLBCL to treatment with a BTK inhibitor. Publication No. WO/2016/019341.
5. D Beaupre, HP Kuo, BY Chang. TLR inhibitors and Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor combinations.
Publication No. WO/2016/081460
6. T Graef, J Hsu, HP Kuo, BY Chang. BTK and HDAC combinations. U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
(62/191,177)
MEMBERSHIP
1. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (member ID: 147541)
2. The American Society of Hematology (ASH) (member ID: 1303637)