Quan Dong Nguyen, MD, MSc

Bio

Born in Saigon, Vietnam, and immigrated with his parents and three brothers to the United States in 1980, Dr. Quan Dong Nguyen currently is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine.

After completing his education in 2001, Dr. Nguyen joined the faculty at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, as Assistant Professor and then Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Medical Education. In 2013, he was appointed as the McGaw Endowed Chair in Ophthalmology, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology and the Inaugural Director of the Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute, and Assistant Dean for Translational Research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Nguyen serves as principal investigator on multiple clinical trials sponsored by the National Eye Institute and other organizations for macular edema (from diabetes and uveitis), neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and ocular inflammatory and uveitic diseases, as well as co-investigator on numerous other clinical trials involving novel therapeutic agents. Dr. Nguyen is known for his innovative work in early proof-of-concept, first-in-human clinical trials to evaluate potential pharmacotherapeutic agents for retinal vascular and uveitic diseases. Dr. Nguyen and his team were among the first clinician scientists in the world to evaluate aflibercept for neovascular AMD and ranibizumab for diabetic macular edema (DME); the initial results of these studies served as the foundation for subsequent trials leading to the approval of these pharmacologic agents by the FDA and other regulatory authorities for the indicated diseases. Dr. Nguyen has chaired the United States multi-center READ-2, READ-3, and iDEAL studies, evaluating the potential role of VEGF antagonists, through different pathways, for diabetic macular edema.

Dr. Nguyen has lead the SAVE, and the multi-centered SAVE-2, and STOP-UVEITIS studies to evaluate the role of new pharmacologic agents, including specific interleukin inhibition, in uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases.

Throughout his career thus far, Dr. Nguyen has been prolific to share his scientific work through numerous manuscripts published in the literature. He serves on the Editorial Board of several journals, including the Journal of Ophthalmic Infection and Inflammation and Ophthalmic Surgery, Laser, and Imaging – Retina, among others. Given his scientific achievements and accomplishments, Dr. Nguyen has been chosen as the Inaugural Editor-in-Chief of American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, which has been launched in the fall of 2015 as the companion journal to the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

At the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, Dr. Nguyen has an active uveitis and ocular inflammatory diseases as well as clinical and surgical retina practice while he continues his research in pharmacotherapy and ocular imaging. In addition, he teaches and trains students, residents, and clinical and research retina and uveitis fellows at Stanford.

Dr. Nguyen is married to Dr. Diana V. Do, who is also Professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford. They have three beautiful daughters: Alexandra, Olivia, and Madelyne, and live in Silicon Valley.

Clinical Focus

• Uveitis and Ocular Inflammatory Disease

Academic Appointments

• Professor - University Medical Line, Ophthalmology
• Professor - University Medical Line (By courtesy), Pediatrics
• Professor - University Medical Line (By courtesy), Medicine - Immunology & Rheumatology
• Member, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute

Honors & Awards

• Election to Membership, American Ophthalmological Society (2016)
• Grant Research Award, Club Jules Gonin (2012 and 2014)
• Senior Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2012)
• Carl Camras Translational Research Award, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (2012)
• R24 Award, National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute (2010)
• Innovative Award, Coulter Foundation (2009)
• Physician Scientist Award, Research to Prevent Blindness Foundation (2009)
• Senior Honor Award, American Society of Retina Specialist (2008)
• RO1 Award, National Institutes of Health/National Eye Institute (2008)
• Honor Award, American Society of Retina Specialists (2007)
• Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology (2006)
• T. Rowe Price Fellowship for Epidemiologic Study, T. Rowe Price Foundation (2005)
• Innovative Award, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (2004)
• Research Award for Early Career Scientists, Foundation Fighting Blindness (2003)
• Glaxo Smith Kline Scholar, American Federation for Medical Research (2003)
• Career Development Award (K23), National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health (2001)
• Charles L. Schepens, M.D. Award for Excellence in Retina Research, Schepens Retina Society (2001)
• National Research Service Award, National Institutes of Health (1999)
• Herman Knapp Fellowship, American Ophthalmological Society (1998)
• Heed Fellowship, Heed Ophthalmic Foundation (1998)
• Fellow of the Year Award, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (1998)
• Glaxo Wellcome Leadership Award, American Medical Association (1996)
• Glaxo Achievement Award Recognizing Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, American Medical Association (1995)
• Sandoz Award for Outstanding Community Services and Academic Achievements, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1993)
• John R. Lavine Scholarship for High Academic Achievements, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1989-1991)
• Walter Lewis Croll Academic Scholarship, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1989-1993)
• University of Pennsylvania Medical Scholar, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (1989-1993)
• Magna Cum Laude (Honors Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Program), Yale University (1989)
• Paul K. Richter Summer Fellowship for Independent Study, Yale University (1988)
• Summer Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation (1988)
• Sigma Xi Scientific Society Summer Research Fellowship, American Medical Society (1987)
• Walter A. Marting Memorial Academic Scholarship, Yale University (1985-1989)
• United States Presidential Academic Award, United States Presidential Scholar Program (1985)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

• Member, American Ophthalmological Society (2016 - Present)
• General Secretary, International Ocular Inflammation Society (2015 - Present)
• Member, Club Jules Gonin (2014 - Present)
• Board of Directors, Vietnamese American Medical Association (2011 - Present)
• Member, Retina Society (2004 - Present)
• Member, Macula Society (2004 - Present)
• President, Vietnamese American Medical Association (2004 - 2010)
• Member, American Society of Retina Specialists (2003 - Present)
• Executive Vice President, Foster Ocular Immunology Society (2001 - Present)
• Member, American Uveitis Society (1998 - Present)

Professional Education

• Fellowship: Wilmer Eye Institute of Ophthalmology (1999) MD
• Board Certification: American Board of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmology (2002)
• Fellowship, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Medical and Surgical Retina (2001)
• Fellowship, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Ocular Immunology (1999)
• Fellowship, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Uveitis (1998)
• Residency, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Ophthalmology (1997)
• Internship, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Internal Medicine (1994)
• MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Medicine (1993)
• MSc, Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry (1989)
• BS, Yale University, Trumbull College, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry (1989)
• Baccalaureate, Phillips Exeter Academy, Secondary Education (1985)

Current Research and Scholarly Interests

We have focused our research on the development of novel therapies and innovative assessment and diagnostic imaging technologies for retinal vascular and ocular inflammatory disorders, specifically diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and uveitis. Building on our initial work describing the role of hypoxia and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema (DME), We have become interested in the biochemical mechanisms that would presumably lead to DME. During the past decade, our research has contributed to the body of evidences that defines the important role of anti-VEGF therapies in DME and AMD, as well as the role of the mTOR pathway and various interleukins in the pathogenesis of uveitis.

We have launched a productive and well-funded clinical research program while at the same time providing clinical care to patients with uveitis and retinal vascular diseases and fulfilling significant teaching and administrative assignments. We have established a number of key collaborators both within and outside the institutions. In addition, we have also established Center in Baltimore and now in Silicon Valley, which has excelled in conducting proof-of concept, early-phase multi-center clinical trials and studies, exploring the clinical disease manifestations and the efficacy of various pharmacologic agents in retinal, uveitic, and ocular inflammatory disorders.

Clinical Trials

• A Clinical Study to Evaluate the Potential Role of ACTH Gel in Patients With Scleritis Recruiting

  ATLAS study is a clinical trial to evaluate the potential role of subcutaneous adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) gel in the management of non-infectious scleritis. Specifically, the ATLAS Study aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability and effect of 2 different dose regimens of ACTH gel administered by subcutaneous (SC) injection in patients with scleritis, over a period of 12 months. Scleritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the sclera (white outer coating of the eye), which causes blurring of vision, redness, tearing and painful ocular inflammatory episodes in one or both eyes. Scleritis may results in vision threatening ocular complications, if left untreated. Treatment of scleritis is usually chronic and requires systemic therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy. Due to its treatment resistance nature, scleritis remains a therapeutic challenge for many ophthalmologists. H.P. Acthar Gel (ACTH Gel) is a highly purified preparation of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in a gel that is designed to provide extended release of the ACTH following injection. It is a FDA approved treatment for flares or on a regular basis (maintenance) in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), infantile spasms, adults with acute relapses or flares of multiple sclerosis (MS), patients with kidney diseases, among other indications. ACTH Gel is also approved for a wide range of allergic and inflammatory diseases of the eye. Given the established role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of scleritis and the anti-inflammatory effects of ACTH Gel treatment by blocking various inflammatory pathways, a beneficial outcome could be anticipated from ACTH Gel treatment in patients with scleritis.

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• A 48 Week Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Two (2) EYS606 Treatment Regimens in Subjects With Active Chronic Non-infectious Uveitis (CNIU) Not Recruiting

  The objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two different treatment regimens of EYS606.

  Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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• A Study Assessing AR-13503 Implant in Subjects With nAMD or DME Not Recruiting

  First-in-Human Study of the Safety of AR-13503 Sustained Release Intravitreal Implant in Subjects with Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration (nAMD) and Subjects with Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

  Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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• A Study to Test Different Doses of BI 836880 in Patients With an Eye Disease Called Wet Age-related Macular Degeneration (wAMD) Not Recruiting

  This is a study in people with an eye disease called wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). The purpose of the study is to find out how well different doses of a medicine called BI 836880 are tolerated. People can participate if they are at least 55 years old and if they have new blood vessels in their eyes despite treatment (anti-VEGF therapies). The study has 2 parts. In the first part, people get only 1 dose of BI 836880. This part takes 6 weeks. In the second part, people get 3 times the same dose of BI 836880. This part takes 6 months. BI 836880 is injected into the eye. During the entire study doctors regularly check the health of the participants.

  Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Quan Nguyen, +001 (650) 724-4280.

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• A Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of Izokibep in the Treatment of Non-anterior Uveitis Not Recruiting

  This is a multicenter, phase 2 trial to explore the efficacy and safety of Izokibep (ABY-035) in treating disease activity in patients with non-Infectious Intermediate, Posterior, Pan-Uveitis with significant disease activity at BL despite treatment with stable doses of corticosteroids (≥7 to ≤40 mg/day oral prednisolon or equivalent).

  Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.

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• HORNBILL: A Study to Test Different Doses of BI 764524 in Patients Who Have Had Laser Treatment for a Type of Diabetic Eye Disease Called Diabetic Retinopathy With Diabetic Macular Ischemia Not Recruiting

  This is a study in people with a type of diabetic eye disease called diabetic retinopathy with diabetic macular ischemia. People who have had laser treatment for their diabetic retinopathy can participate in the study. The laser treatment is called panretinal photocoagulation. The purpose of the study is to find out how well different doses of a medicine called BI 764524 are tolerated. BI 764524 is injected into the eye. The study has 2 parts. In the first part, participants get different doses of BI 764524 only once. Participants are in the first part for about 5 months and visit the study site about 8 times. In the second part, participants are put into different groups by chance. Some participants get BI 764524 injections every 4 weeks. Other participants get sham injections every 4 weeks. A sham injection means that it is not a real injection and contains no medicine. Participants cannot tell whether they get the real injection or a sham injection. For the second part, participants are in the study for about 7 months. During this time, they visit the study site about 7 times. In this study, BI 764524 is given to humans for the first time. The doctors compare how well people tolerate the BI 764524 injections and the sham injections. The doctors also regularly check the general health of the participants.

  Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Quan Nguyen, +001 (650) 724-4280.

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• Methotrexate For The Prevention and Treatment of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy in Pediatric Patients Not Recruiting

  Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) is a sight-threatening condition. Children with RRD usually present late with clinical features of longstanding RRD, specifically a serious condition named: proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Therefore, children with RRD often have poorer outcomes. The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of methotrexate in the treatment and prevention of PVR. Methotrexate is a medication that has been used to treat inflammatory conditions in children and adults for a long time and it has been recently used to treat PVR in adults.

  Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial. For more information, please contact Edward Wood, MD, 650-723-6995.

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