
Anna Wu Lab
The Anna Wu Lab is currently researching the development and translation of radiolabeled antibodies for cancer therapy, with an initial focus on prostate and pancreatic cancer. In addition, engineered antibody fragments have been developed for immunoPET, which not only allows highly specific and sensitive detection of tumors but has now been applied to image immune responses in patients.
The ability to visualize the activity and function of the immune system in the whole body will provide insights into multiple diseases and conditions, including cancer and diabetes. The ultimate goal is to be able to inform the development of more rational and patient-specific immunological interventions to ease the burden of disease.



As professor and chair of the Department of Immunology & Theranostics, Anna Wu, Ph.D., conducts research that focuses on the development and translation of radiolabeled antibodies for cancer therapy, molecular imaging to monitor immune responses, and prostate and pancreatic cancer.



Jennifer Chean graduated from the University of California Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in biology. She has experience in cell and molecular biology. Her current research focus is antibody production and purification for use in molecular imaging.
To view more publications, please visit https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1XKx_zdJouyosg/bibliography/public/.


Shichang Li, Ph.D., M.S., is a postdoctoral fellow in the Anna Wu Lab at Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope. His current research focuses on the development of novel antibody fragment based immunoPET probe for radioimmunotherapy.
Li received his Bachelor of Science in biological science from Shenzhen University in 2012. He obtained a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering at University of Texas, Dallas, where he holds a Master of Science and started the research focused on structural and functional characterization of transcription factor.
To view more publications, please visit https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/shichang.li.1/bibliography/public/.


Deirdre La Placa received a Bachelor of Science in biology from University of New Mexico. She has been working in the field for more than 20 years, including at a toxicology company in the Boston area, a pharmacology lab at the University of California San Diego and the Department of Immunology here at City of Hope. In her current role as lab manager, she creates and maintains all lab inventories and manages multiple IACUC protocols. Her research focuses on the imaging of radiolabeled antibodies in mice.
To view more publications, please visit https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1NwhZO-RmOfIDp/bibliography/public/.


Research Focus:
- Antibody engineering
- Antibody fragment-based theranostics: radiolabeled antibodies for immunoPET and radioimmunotherapy of cancer
- Dual-modality immunoPET/fluorescence imaging for surgical guidance in prostate and pancreatic cancer
- Development of anti-CD20 immunoPET for imaging of B lymphocytes
These organizations are invaluable partners in our work toward progressing the development of new treatments in our specialized areas of research.

- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease
- Department of Defense
- California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
- Phelps Family Foundation
34.129142631837, -117.97314039214
Duarte , CA 91010