Dr. CHAN Kwok Hung

PhD (HK), FRCPath (UK), FIBMS (UK), CBiol, FSB(UK)

Honorary Associate Professor

Email: chankh2@hku.hk

ORCID : https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1771-8249

Scopus Author ID: 7406034307

research focus

  1. EBV associated diseases including Infectious Mononucleosis and Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
  2. Rapid diagnosis of respiratory virus infections;
  3. Immunology and antiviral agents against emerging infectious diseases including influenza, SARS Coronavirus
  4. Vaccines for influenza and SARS-CoV-2

selected publications

  1. Tam AR, Zhang RR, Lung KC, Liu R, Leung KY, Liu D, Fan Y, Lu L, Lam AH, Chung TW, Yip CC, Lo J, Wu AK, Lee R, Sin S, Ng PY, Chan WM, Shum HP, Yan WW, Chan JF, Cheng VC, Lau CS, To KK, Chan KH, Yuen KY, Hung IF. Early treatment of high-risk hospitalized Coronavirus  Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with a combination of Interferon Beta-1b and Remdesivir: A phase 2 open-label randomized controlled trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Feb 8;76(3): e216-e226.
  2. Chen LL, Abdullah SMU, Chan WM, Chan BP, Ip JD, Chu AW, Lu L, Zhang X, Zhao Y, Chuang VW, Au AK, Cheng VC, Sridhar S, Yuen KY, Hung IF, Chan KH, To KK. Contribution of low population immunity to the severe Omicron BA.2 outbreak in Hong Kong. Nat Commun. 2022 Jun 24;13(1):3618.
  3. Wang P, Lau SY, Deng S, Chen P, Mok BWY, Zhang AJ, Andrew Chak-Yiu Lee ACY, Chan KH, Tam RCY, Xu H, Zhou R, Song W, Liu L, To KKW, Chan JFW, Chen Z, Yuen KY, Chen H. Characterization of an attenuated SARS-CoV-2 variant with a deletion at the S1/S2 junction of the spike protein. Nat Commun. 2021; 12: 2790.
  4. Yeung ML, Teng JLL, Jia L, Zhang C, Huang C, Cai JP, Zhou R, Chan KH, Zhao H, Zhu L, Siu KL, Fung SY, Yung S, Chan TM, To KKW, Chan JFW, Cai Z, Lau SKP, Chen Z, Jin DY, Woo PCY, Yuen KY. Soluble ACE2-mediated cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 via interaction with proteins related to the renin-angiotensin system. Cell. 2021 Apr 15; 184(8): 2212–2228.e12.
  5. Chan KH, Sridhar S, Zhang RR, Chu H, Fung AYF, Chan g, J.F-W. Chan JFW, To KKW, Hung IFN, Cheng VCC, Yuen KY. Factors affecting stability and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. J Hosp Infect. 2020 Oct; 106(2): 226–231.
  6. Hung IFN, Lung KC, Tso EYK, Liu R, Chung TWH, Chu MY, Ng YY, Lo J, Chan J, Tam AR, Shum HP, Chan V, Wu AKL, Sin KM, Leung WS, Law WL, Lung DC, Sin S, Yeung P, Yip CCY, Zhang RR, Fung AYF, Yan EYW, Leung KH, Ip JD, Chu AWH, Chan WM, Ng ACK, Lee R, Fung K, Yeung A, Wu TC, Chan JWM, Yan WW, Chan WM, Chan JFW, Lie AKW, Tsang OTY, Cheng VCC, Que TL, Lau CS, Chan KH, To KKW, Yuen KY. Triple combination of interferon beta-1b, lopinavir–ritonavir, and ribavirin in the treatment of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19: an open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2020 30 May-5 June; 395(10238): 1695–1704.
  7. Leung NHL, Chu DKW, Shiu EYC, Chan KH, McDevitt JJ, Hau BJP, Yen HL, Li Y, Ip DKM, Peiris JSM, Seto WH, Leung GM, Milton DK, Cowling BJ. Author Correction: Respiratory virus shedding in exhaled breath and efficacy of face masks. Nat Med. 2020 May 27: 1. doi: 10.1038/s41591-020-0946-9. Corrects: Nat Med. 2020 Apr 3.
  8. Chan JFW, Yuan S, Kok KH, To KKW, Chu H, Yang J, Xing F, Liu J, Yip CCY, Poon RWS, Tsoi HW, Simon Lo SKF, Chan KH, Poon VKM, Chan WM, Ip JD, Cai JP, Cheng VCC, Chen H, Hui CKM, Yuen KY. A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster. Lancet. 2020 15-21 February; 395(10223): 514–523.
  9. Mok CC, Chan KH, Ling Yin Ho, Fung YF, Fung WF, Woo PCY. Safety and immune response of a live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomised placebo-controlled. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019 Sep 17.
  10. Yeung ML, Yao Y, Jia L, Chan JFW, Chan KH, Cheung KF, Chen H, Vincent K. M. Poon VKM, Tsang AKL, To KKW, Yiu MK, Teng JLL, Chu H, Zhou J, Zhang Q, Deng W, Lau SKP, Lau JYN, Woo PCY, Chan TM, Yung S, Zheng BJ, Jin DY, Mathieson PW, Qin C and Yuen KY. MERS coronavirus induces apoptosis in kidney and lung by upregulating Smad7 and FGF2. Nat Microbiol. 2016; 1:16004.
  11. Hung IF, Zhang AJ, To KKW, Chan JFW, Li P, Wong TL, Zhang R, Chan TC, Chan BY, Ho Wai HH, Chan LW, Fong HPY, Hui RKC, Kong KL, Leung ACF, Ngan AHT, Tsang LWK, Yeung APC, Yiu GCC, Yung W, Lau JYN, Chen H, Chan KH, Yuen KY. Topical imiquimod before intradermal trivalent influenza vaccine for protection against heterologous non-vaccine and antigenically drifted viruses: a single-centre, double-blind, randomised, controlled phase 2b/3 trial. Lancet Infect Dis. 2016, 16:209-18.
  12. Lu L, Liu Q, Zhu Y, Chan KH, Qin L, Li Y, Wang Q, Chan JFW, Du L, Yu F, Ma C, Ye S, Yuen KY, Zhang R, Jiang S. Structure-based discovery of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus fusion inhibitor. Nat Commun. 2014; 5:3067.
  13. Hung IF, Zhang AJ, To KK, Chan JF, Li C, Zhu HS, Li P, Li C, Chan TC, Cheng VC, Chan KH, Yuen KY. Immunogenicity of Intradermal Trivalent Influenza Vaccine with Topical Imiquimod, a Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 21.
  14. Ho PL, Sin WC, Chan JF, Cheng VC, Chan KH. Severe influenza A H7N9 pneumonia with rapid virological response to intravenous zanamivir. Eur Respir J. 2014; 44(2):535-7.
  15. Chan KH, To KK, Chan JF, Li CP, Chan KM, Chen H, Ho PL, Yuen KY. Assessment of antigen and molecular tests in serial specimens from a patient with influenza A (H7N9) infection. J Clin Microbiol. 2014; 52(6):2272-4.
  16. Chan KH, To KK, Chan JF, Li CP, Chen H, Yuen KY. Analytical Sensitivity of Seven Point-of-Care Influenza Virus Detection Tests and Two Molecular Tests for Detection of Avian Origin H7N9 and Swine Origin H3N2 Variant Influenza A Viruses. J Clin Microbiol. 2013; 51(9):3160-1.
  17. Chan KH, To KK, Chan BW, Li CP, Chiu SS, Yuen KY, Ho PL. Comparison of pyrosequencing, Sanger sequencing, and melting curve analysis for detection of low-frequency macrolide-resistant mycoplasma pneumoniae quasispecies in respiratory specimens. J Clin Microbiol. 2013; 51(8):2592-8.
  18. Chan KH, Fuk-Woo Chan J, Tse H, Chen H, Choi-Yi Lau C, Cai JP, Ka-Lun Tsang A, Xiao X, Kai-Wang To K, Kar-Pui Lau S, Chiu-Yat Woo P, Zheng BJ, Wang M, Yuen KY. Cross-reactive antibodies in convalescent SARS patients’ sera against the emerging novel human coronavirus EMC (2012) by both immunofluorescent and neutralizing antibody tests. J Infect. 2013; 67(2):130-40.
  19. Chan KH, Yan MK, To KK, Lau SK, Woo PC, Cheng VC, Li WS, Chan JF, Tse H, Yuen KY. Use of the human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cell line for isolating respiratory viruses from nasopharyngeal aspirates. J Med Virol. 2013; 85(5):874-9.
  20. Chen Y, Liang W, Yang S, Wu N, Gao H, Sheng J, Yao H, Wo J, Fang Q, Cui D, Li Y, Yao X, Zhang Y, Wu H, Zheng S, Diao H, Xia S, Zhang Y, Chan KH, Tsoi HW, Teng JL, Song W, Wang P, Lau SY, Zheng M, Chan JF, To KK, Chen H, Li L, Yuen KY.  Human infections with the emerging avian influenza A H7N9 virus from wet market poultry: clinical analysis and characterisation of viral genome. Lancet. 2013, 381:1916-25.
  21. Chan KH, Chan KM, Ho YL, Lam YP, Tong HL, Poon LL, Cowling BJ, Peiris JS. Quantitative analysis of four rapid antigen assays for detection of pandemic H1N1 2009 compared with seasonal H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses on nasopharyngeal aspirates from patients with influenza. J Virol Methods. 2012; 186:184-188.
  22. Chan KH, Peiris JS, Lam SY, Poon LL, Yuen KY, Seto WH. The Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Viability of the SARS Coronavirus. Adv Virol. 2011; 2011:734690.
  23. Cowling BJ, Chan KH, Fang VJ, Lau LLH, So HC, Fung ROP, Ma ESK, Kwong ASK, Chan CW, Tsui WWS, Ngai HY, Chu DWS, Lee PWY, Chiu MC, Leung GM, Peiris JSM. Comparative Epidemiology of Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza A in Households. N Engl J Med. 2010; 362:2175-2184.
  24. Chan KH, Lai ST, Poon LL, Guan Y, Yuen KY, Peiris JS. Analytical sensitivity of rapid influenza antigen detection tests for swine-origin influenza virus (H1N1). J Clin Virol. 2009; 45:205-7.
  25. Chan KH, Yam WC, Pang CM, Chan KM, Lam SY, Lo KF, Poon LL, Peiris MJ. Comparsion of the NucliSens easyMAG and Qiagen BioRobot 9604 nucleic acid extraction systems for diagnosis of RNA and DNA respiratory viruses on nasopharyngeal aspirates. J Clin Microbiol. 2008; 46:2195-9.
  26. Chan KH, Peiris JS, Lim W, Nicholls JM, Chiu SS. Comparison of nasopharyngeal flocked swabs and aspirates for rapid diagnosis of respiratory viruses in children. J Clin Virol. 2008; 42:65-9.
  27. Chan VS, Chan KY, Chen Y, Poon LL, Cheung AN, Zheng B, Chan KH, Mak W, Ngan HY, Xu X, Screaton G, Tam PK, Austyn JM, Chan LC, Yip SP, Peiris M, Khoo US, Lin CL. Homozygous L-SIGN (CLEC4M) plays a protective role in SARS coronavirus infection. Nat Genet. 2006; 38:38-46.
  28. Kandun IN, Wibisono H, Sedyaningsih ER, Yusharmen, Hadisoedarsuno W, Purba W, Santoso H, Septiawati C, Tresnaningsih E, Heriyanto B, Yuwono D, Harun S, Soeroso S, Giriputra S, Blair PJ, Jeremijenko A, Kosasih H, Putnam SD, Samaan G, Silitonga M, Chan KH, Poon LL, Lim W, Klimov A, Lindstrom S, Guan Y, Donis R, Katz J, Cox N, Peiris M, Uyeki TM. Three Indonesian clusters of H5N1 virus infection in 2005.Three Indonesian clusters of H5N1 virus infection in 2005. N Engl J Med. 2006; 355:2186-94.
  29. Chan VS, Chan KY, Chen Y, Poon LL, Cheung AN, Zheng B, Chan KH, Mak W, Ngan HY, Xu X, Screaton G, Tam PK, Austyn JM, Chan LC, Yip SP, Peiris M, Khoo US, Lin CL. Homozygous L-SIGN (CLEC4M) plays a protective role in SARS coronavirus infection. Nat Genet. 2006; 38:38-46.
  30. Chan KH, Cheng VC, Woo PC, Lau SK, Poon LL, Guan Y, Seto WH, Yuen KY, Peiris JS. Serological responses in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection and cross-reactivity with human coronaviruses 229E, OC43, and NL63. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2005; 12:1317-21.
  31. Haagmans BL, Kuiken T, Martina BE, Fouchier RA, Rimmelzwaan GF, van Amerongen G, van Riel D, de Jong T, Itamura S, Chan KH, Tashiro M, Osterhaus AD. Tashiro M, Osterhaus AD. Pegylated interferon-alpha protects type 1 pneumocytes against SARS coronavirus infection in macaques. Nat Med. 2004; 10:290-3.
  32. Peiris JS, Chu CM, Cheng VC, Chan KS, Hung IF, Poon LL, Law KI, Tang BS, Hon TY, Chan CS, Chan KH, Ng JS, Zheng BJ, Ng WL, Lai RW, Guan Y, Yuen KY; HKU/UCH SARS Study Group. Clinical progression and viral load in a community outbreak of coronavirus-associated SARS pneumonia: a prospective study. Lancet. 2003; 361:1767-72.
  33. Chan KH, Gu YL, Ng F, Ng PS, Seto WH, Sham JS, Chua D, Wei W, Chen YL, Luk W, Zong YS, Ng MH. EBV specific antibody-based and DNA-based assays in serologic diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Int J Cancer. 2003; 105:706-9.
  34. Chan KH, Maldeis N, Pope W, Yup A, Ozinskas A, Gill J, Seto WH, Shortridge KF, Peiris JS. Evaluation of the Directigen FluA+B test for rapid diagnosis of influenza virus type A and B infections. J Clin Microbiol. 2002; 40:1675-80.
  35. Chan KH, Ng MH, Seto WH, Peiris JS. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in sera of patients with primary EBV infection. J Clin Microbiol. 2001; 39:4152-4.
  36. Chan KH, Luo RX, Chen HL, Ng MH, Seto WH, Peiris JS. Development and evaluation of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on the 18-kilodalton matrix protein for diagnosis of primary EBV infection. J Clin Microbiol. 1998; 36:3359-61.

honours and awards

  1. Ranked as International top 1% of highly cited reserachers by Clavariate Analytics in 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022 and 2023  
  2. Outstanding Teams Award by Hospital Authority in 1999 (H5N1), 2003 (SARS-CoV-1) and Swine H1N1 (2010).
  3. Cancer Research Fellow, International Union Against Cancer (UICC), USA (1988)