Academic history
Susan O’Brien is a Professor of Hematology/Oncology at the University of California, Irvine, CA, Medical Director at the Sue and Ralph Stern Center for Clinical Trials & Research, Orange, CA, and Associate Director for Clinical Science at the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Orange, CA.
Prof. O’Brien received her medical degree from the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, and subsequently completed a residency in internal medicine at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, as well as a fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. She is also a past chair of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines panel on chronic myeloid leukemia.
Speaking on hematologic malignancies
Prof. O’Brien is an internationally recognized leader in the research of treatments for both chronic and acute leukemias. She led the initial clinical research into ibrutinib for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and continues research into the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with CLL and small lymphocytic lymphoma.
Prof. O’Brien has also recently been involved in several clinical trials treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies. Two such trials investigate the tolerability and efficacy of inotuzumab ozogamicin in relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and the efficacy of idelalisib in CLL patients.
