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Sunita

Editorial Board Member

Dr. Sunita Chhikara

  • Address : Research Associate,, Department of Hematology,, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
  • E-Mail : Sunita1409@gmail.com

Research Interests :


Introduction


I am Dr. Sunita Chhikara, a dedicated research professional in the field of Hematology, holding a Ph.D. from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. My association with the Department of Hematology at AIIMS spans over eleven years, transitioning from a Senior Research Fellow to a Research Associate. This extensive tenure has provided me with a robust foundation in both academic and applied research, with a specialized focus on advancing the understanding and improving the molecular diagnosis of critical hematological malignancies, particularly Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML) within the Indian patient demographic.

My doctoral research and subsequent post-doctoral work have been deeply focused on elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms driving Imatinib Mesylate (Gleevec) resistance in CML—a significant clinical challenge. My expertise is rooted in complex molecular diagnostics, encompassing techniques like MPX RT-PCR for chromosomal translocations and the meticulous detection of crucial $BCR-ABL$ kinase domain mutations. Furthermore, I have conducted in-depth studies into pharmacogenetic factors, specifically the role of the multidrug resistance gene $MDR1$ ($ABCB1$) polymorphism, the expression of the $OCT1$ influx transporter, and the $CXCR4-SDF1$ signaling axis in leukemia stem cell homing and resistance to therapy.

Beyond my core CML specialization, my research experience spans a broader scope, including the investigation of diagnostic and prognostic markers across other hematological malignancies such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Myeloproliferative Disorders (MPDs). This breadth of work is supported by a strong publication record in respected journals and numerous presentations at national and international conferences. Crucially, I have also successfully written and completed several projects for research grant funding. My continuous goal is to utilize my comprehensive expertise in molecular pathology to translate laboratory findings into tangible advancements for prognostic assessment and improved clinical outcomes.


AFFILIATION


Research Associate,

Department of Hematology,

All India Institute of Medical Sciences

All India Institute of Medical Sciences

New Delhi

India

110029

Email : Sunita1409@gmail.com


RESEARCH IDS



RESEARCH INTERESTS


# Area
1. Hematology
2. Molecular Mechanisms

PAPERS PUBLISHED


# Article Title Year
1. Sunita Chhikara, Sudha sazwal, Rekha Chaubey, Manoranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena. Successful Treatment of a Chronic-Phase T-315I-Mutated Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Patient with a Combination of Hydroxyurea and Interferon-Alfa. Indian J Genet Mol Res. 2019;8(2):93-95 2019
2. Sudha Sazawal, Kanwaljeet Singh, Sunita Chhikara, Rekha Chaubey, Manaranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena. Influence of JAK2V617F allele burden on clinical phenotype of Polycythemia Vera patients: A study from India. “South Asian Journal of Cancer (SAJC) 2019:8 (2) : 127-129 2019
3. Sudha Sazawal Sunita Chhikara, Kanwaljeet Singh, Rekha Chaubey, Manaranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena. “Impact of BCR-ABL fusion transcripts on clinical phenotype and treatment response in Imatinib treated CML-CP patients: A study from India” Indian J Pathol Microbiol.2019 Apr-Jun;62(2):256-260 2019
4. Sudha Sazawal Sunita Chhikara, Kanwaljeet Singh, Rekha Chaubey, Manaranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena. Chronic myeloid leukemia with a rare fusion transcript, b2a3 (e13a3) BCR–ABL1: A report of four cases from India“South Asian Journal of Cancer (SAJC) 2019;8(2):107-123 2019
5. Sunita Chhikara, Sudha Sazawal, Kanwaljeet Singh, Rekha Chaubey, Rahul Sharma, Manoranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena. Comparative analysis of the Sokal, Euro and EUTOS score in prognostication of CML-CP patients on imatinib: a study from India. South Asian J Cancer. 2018, October; 7(4)258-262 2018
6. Kanwaljeet Singh Sudha Sazawal, Sunita Chhikara, Rekha Chaubey, Manaranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena Role of JAK2V617F mutation with thrombosis in Indian patients with Philadelphia negative chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2018 Jul-Sep;61(3):371-374 2018
7. Chauhan R, Sazawal S, Singh K, Ragesh R Nair R, Chhikara S, Deka R, Chaubey R, Veetil KK, Dange P, Mahapatra M, Saxena R Reversal of Glanzmann thrombasthenia platelet phenotype after imatinib treatment in a pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia patient. Platelets. 2018 Mar;29(2):203-206 2018
8. Sunita Chhikara, Sudha Sazawal, Tulika Seth, Rekha Chaubey, Kanwaljeet Singh, Rahul Sharma, Pravas Mishra, Manaranjan Mahapatra, Renu Saxena .Molecular Response to imatinib and Its Correlation with mRNA Expression Levels of Imatinib Influx Transporter (OCT1) in Indian Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev.2017 August; 18(8): 2043-2048 2017
9. Sazawal S, Singh N, Jain S, Chhikara S, Chaubey R, Bhattacharyya J, Saikia KK, Mahapatra M, Saxena R.NPM1 and FLT3 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia withnormal karyotype: Indian perspective. Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2017 Jul-Sep;60(3):355-359 2017
10. Sazawal S, Chikkara S, Singh K, Chaubey R, Chandra D, Mishra P, Mahapatra M, Seth T, Saxena R. Chronic myeloid leukemia with a rare fusion transcript, e19a2 BCR-ABL1: A report of three cases from India. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2017 Apr;27:24-27. 2017

BOOKS PUBLISHED


# Title Publication Year

BOOK CHAPTERS PUBLISHED


# Chapter Title Book Title Publication Year

ACADEMIC PROFILE


# Examination Passing Year Country
1. PhD 2016 India
2. MSc 2005 India
3. BSc 2002 India

EMPLOYMENT DETAILS


# Institution Position Country Service Period
1. AIIMS Research Associate India 2 years, 11 months, 30 days
2. AIIMS Research Associate India 2 years, 2 months, 30 days
3. AIIMS Senior research Fellow India 0 years, 9 months, 30 days
4. AIIMS Senior research Fellow India 4 years, 0 months, 30 days
Total Period : 10 years, 2 months, 0 days

PAPERS PRESENTED IN CONFERENCES



RESEARCH PROJECTS



MEMBERSHIPS



TRAINING PROGRAMS ATTENDED



HONOURS AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS



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EVENTS ORGANIZED