Scientists / Our Scientists

Andrew Chan

SVP Research Biology, Research Biology

Postdoc Mentor

"Innovation requires an open mind and continued challenging of current paradigms. Discovery requires action based on innovation."

Years at Genentech

Awards & Honors

I joined Genentech in 2001 as senior director of immunology and antibody engineering, was named vice president and senior vice president of Research- Immunology in 2003 and 2007, respectively. In 2010, I was appointed senior vice president- Research Biology and oversee our research opportunities.

Genentech is one of the few places in the world where scientists have the ability to study basic biology, make new biological or technological discoveries, identify the pathogenic mechanisms driving human disease, discover new therapies and shepherd these therapies to launch and thereafter impact patients’ lives.

Postdoctoral Mentor

Postdoctoral training and mentorship is an essential part of a scientific career. It provides essential training and scientific experience for the mentee and an opportunity for the mentor to continue learning about new scientific paradigms and train the next generations of scientists.

Featured Publication

Autoimmunity linked protein phosphatase PTPN22 as a target for cancer immunotherapy.

J Immunotherapy of Cancer 2020; 8:”e001439.

Cubas, R, Khan, Z, Gong, Q, et al.

View Abstract

We are studying how autoimmunity-associated genes may be a source of targets to augment cancer immunotherapy. We had previously demonstrated that the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 is a negative regulator of T-cell antigen receptor (Hasegawa, Science 2004) and interferon-alpha receptor (Holmes, J Exp Med 2015) signaling. Here, we demonstrate that loss of PTPN22 phosphatase enzymatic activity augments both T-cell and interferon-alpha mediated functions leading to spontaneous remission of a number of syngeneic tumor models. In addition, individuals carrying the autoimmune-associated PTPN22(W620R) single-nucleotide polymorphism have lower risk of developing skin cancers and have more favorable responses to anti-PDL1 mAb treatment. These studies demonstrate the importance of host genetics in anti-tumor immunity.

My research interests focus on regulation of immune cell functions. Our immune system is tightly regulated so that it has the ability to efficiently combat infectious pathogens without overexuberant immunity that can cause autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. My recent interests are focused on how modest alterations in lymphocyte signaling results in dysregulated immune cell functions in this tight balance of health and disease.

University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Adjunct Associate Professor – 2019 - Present
University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Associate Clinical Professor – 2004–2012
Washington University School of Medicine Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Associate Investigator – 2000-2001
Washington University School of Medicine Departments of Internal Medicine and Pathology, Associate Professor – 1998-2001
Washington University, Barnes Hospital Department of Internal Medicine, Attending Physician – 1994-2001
Washington University School of Medicine Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Assistant Investigator – 1994-1999
Washington University School of Medicine, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pathology, Assistant Professor – 1994-1998
University of California, San Francisco Long-Moffitt Hospital, Department of Medicine, Attending Physician – 1992-1993
University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Assistant Adjunct Professor – 1992-1993
University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Clinical Fellow – 1989-1990
Washington University School of Medicine Barnes Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Intern and Resident – 1986-1989
Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Cellular and Developmental Biology, M.D., Ph.D. – 1986
Northwestern University, Department of Chemistry, M.S., B.A. – 1980

Northwestern University Alumni Medal – 2020
Washington University School of Medicine Alumni Achievement Award – 2019
American Federation for Aging Research, Chairman’s Award of Distinction – 2013
Arthritis Foundation- Northern California, Guin Warnock Award – 2012
American Association of Physicians – 2009
Kunkel Society – 2005
Special Recognition Award for Mentoring Graduate Students Washington University – 2000
American College of Rheumatology Investigator Award – 1993
American Foundation of Clinical Research Award – 1991
American College of Rheumatology Senior Scholar Award – 1991

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Andrew Chan

SVP Research Biology, Research Biology

Featured Publication

Autoimmunity linked protein phosphatase PTPN22 as a target for cancer immunotherapy.

Portraits in Science

Pure Science

Why You Should Study Immunology