Arnold I. Chin, MD, PhD
Accepting new patients

Arnold I. Chin, MD, PhD

  • Minimally Invasive Urology|
  • Urology|
  • Urologic Oncology
Westwood Urology | 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 140, Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-794-7700
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About

Dr. Chin is a professor of urology and medical director of Urology-Westwood. He completed his M.D., Ph.D. and urology residency training at UCLA. His clinical expertise includes urologic oncology and renal transplantation. He performs open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgeries for patients with all urologic malignancies including bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer as well as complex ureteral reconstruction and renal vein entrapment syndromes.

Dr. Chin's translational laboratory is dedicated to improving the lives of patients with urologic malignancies. The research focuses on understanding the differentiation of cancer and its interplay with the tumor microenvironment. The long-term goals of his research are to develop novel therapeutic targets, immune-based platforms, and stem cell-directed therapies against cancer.

Education/Certification

  • PhD, UCLA, 2002

Professional Memberships

  • American Urological Association
  • American Association of Cancer Research
  • Society of Urology Oncology

Academic & Medical Staff Appointments

  • Professor Department of Urology, UCLA School of Medicine 2023
  • Associate Professor Department of Urology, UCLA School of Medicine 2016-2023
  • Assistant Professor Department of Urology, UCLA School of Medicine 2009-2016
  • Broad Stem Cell Research Center 2009
  • Tumor Immunology Program Area of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center 2009
  • Genitourinary Oncology Program Area of the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center 2009

Patient Education (PDFs)

Languages

English, Chinese - Mandarin

Education

Medical Board Certification

Urology, American Board of Urology, 2011

Residency

Urology, UCLA School of Medicine, 2009

Internship

Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine, 2004

Degrees

MD, UCLA School of Medicine, 2003
PhD, UCLA, 2002

Recognitions

Related Clinical Trials

Locations

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Research

JCCC member profile

Interests

Dr. Chin's clinical expertise includes urologic oncology and renal transplantation, performing open, laparoscopic, and robotic-assisted surgeries for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancer patients.

His laboratory studies the tumor microenvironment in prostate and bladder cancer using a combination of animal models, human reconstitution systems, and primary tumor and hematopoietic cells. They are interested in several aspects including the following:

  1. Molecular mechanisms in programming tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. The nature and composition of immune cells in cancer have been linked with tumor grade and overall survival. However, the determinants that lead to immune infiltrating cells in cancer is unclear. Dr. Chin's lab is studying the endogenous signals, innate immune, and adaptive immune pathways that program the composition of the tumor immune microenvironment, and how these will influence tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. He and his team are also interested in how they can reprogram the immune components of the tumor microenvironment to shape tumorigenicity.
  2. Mechanisms controlling development and differentiation of cancer stem cells. Cancer initiating cells share similar features to stem cells with their ability for self-renewal and pluripotency. These cell populations may explain the recurrent nature and drug resistance of cancer. Dr. Chin's laboratory is studying the cell intrinsic signals as well as the cell extrinsic influences from immune and stromal cells of the cancer stem cell in their differentiation, ability to undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and development of an invasive phenotype.

His studies will provide fundamental understanding of the tumor microenvironment, as well as develop therapeutic targets, novel immune-based platforms, and stem cell based therapies against cancer.

Publications

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • L.A. Care
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Super Doctors® Southern California 2022 - 2024
  • Super Doctors® Southern California Rising Stars 2018
  • STOP Cancer Research Career Development Award 2010
  • American Association of Cancer Research Career Development Award for Translational Cancer Research 2010

Links