Yale Infectious Diseases
Yale Center for Infectious Disease
200 Orchard Street
New Haven, CT 06511
- Yale Infectious DiseasesYale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511
Brinda Emu, MD
Infectious Diseases
Telehealth is available
Patient type treated
Adult
Accepting new patients
Yes
Referral required
From patients or physicians
Biography
Brinda Emu, MD, PhD, is an infectious diseases specialist who provides care for people with HIV and related conditions, including those at risk for cancers such as lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma (a type of cancer in the lining of the blood vessels).
As an associate professor of medicine (infectious diseases) at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Emu studies how chronic viral infections can weaken the body’s defenses and lead to tumor development. She examines ways to strengthen immune function so patients can better manage both HIV and cancer.
Dr. Emu received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)
- Director, Cancer-ID Clinic, Internal Medicine
- co-Leader, Cancer Microbiology Working Group, Yale Cancer Center
Education & Training
- ResidencyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2001)
- MDJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1998)
- ABHarvard University (1994)
Additional Information
Professional Service
- AIDS Clinical Trials Group (2018 - Present): Elected Member of the Inflammation Transformative Science Group
Publications
- Salahuddin S, Cohen O, Wu M, Irizarry J, Vega T, Gan G, Deng Y, Isaeva N, Prasad M, Schalper K, Mehra S, Yarbrough W, Emu B. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Is Associated With Poor Overall Survival Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2022, 76: 1449-1458. PMID: 36520995, PMCID: PMC10319962, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac924.
- Chaudhary O, Trotta D, Wang K, Wang X, Chu X, Bradley C, Okulicz J, Maves RC, Kronmann K, Schofield CM, Blaylock JM, Deng Y, Schalper KA, Kaech SM, Agan B, Ganesan A, Emu B. Patients with HIV-associated cancers have evidence of increased T cell dysfunction and exhaustion prior to cancer diagnosis. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2022, 10: e004564. PMID: 35470232, PMCID: PMC9039380, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004564.
- DiMaio D, Emu B, Goodman AL, Mothes W, Justice A. Cancer Microbiology. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2021, 114: 651-663. PMID: 34850062, PMCID: PMC9086797, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djab212.
- Xu S, Chaudhary O, Rodríguez-Morales P, Sun X, Chen D, Zappasodi R, Xu Z, Pinto AFM, Williams A, Schulze I, Farsakoglu Y, Varanasi SK, Low JS, Tang W, Wang H, McDonald B, Tripple V, Downes M, Evans RM, Abumrad NA, Merghoub T, Wolchok JD, Shokhirev MN, Ho PC, Witztum JL, Emu B, Cui G, Kaech SM. Uptake of oxidized lipids by the scavenger receptor CD36 promotes lipid peroxidation and dysfunction in CD8+ T cells in tumors. Immunity 2021, 54: 1561-1577.e7. PMID: 34102100, PMCID: PMC9273026, DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.05.003.
- Hysell K, Yusuf R, Barakat L, Virata M, Gan G, Deng Y, Perez-Irizarry J, Vega T, Goldberg SB, Emu B. Decreased Overall Survival in HIV-associated Non–small-cell Lung Cancer. Clinical Lung Cancer 2020, 22: e498-e505. PMID: 33468393, PMCID: PMC8169710, DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2020.11.006.
- Emu B, DeJesus E, Berhe M, Leider J, Creticos C, Weinheimer S, Cohen Z. 661. Ibalizumab Efficacy and Safety Through 48 Weeks of Treatment: Results of an Expanded Access Protocol (TMB-311). Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2019, 6: s303-s303. PMCID: PMC6811265, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz360.729.
- Zarif T, Nassar A, Adib E, Fitzgerald B, Huang J, Mouhieddine T, Nonato T, McKay R, Li M, Mittra A, Owen D, Lorentsen M, Dittus C, Dizman N, Emu B, Falohun A, Abdel-Wahab N, Bankapur A, Reed A, Dobbs R, Kim C, Arora A, Shah N, El-Am E, Kozaily E, Abdallah W, Al-Hader A, Ghazal B, Saeed A, Drolen C, Lechner M, Espinar J, Nebhan C, Johnson D, Haykal T, Morse M, Cortellini A, Pinato D, Pria A, Bower M, Hall E, Bakalov V, Bahary N, Rajkumar A, Mangla A, Shah V, Singh P, Nana F, Lia N, Dima D, Funchain P, Saleem R, Woodford R, Long AO G, Menzies A, Genova C, Barletta G, Puri S, Florou V, Idossa D, Queirolo P, Lamberti G, Addeo A, Bersanelli M, Freeman D, Xie W, Ramaswami R, Marron T, Choueiri T, Lurain K, Baden L, Sonpavde G, Naqash A. 437 Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients living with HIV (PLWH) and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a matched cohort study from the international CATCH-IT consortium. 2022, a457-a458. DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-sitc2022.0437.
- Globig A, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Maltez V, Guiza J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Araujo Hoffmann F, Chaudhary O, Wang J, Senturk G, Chen D, O’Connor C, Pfaff S, Germain R, Schalper K, Emu B, Kaech S. The β1-adrenergic receptor links sympathetic nerves to T cell exhaustion. Nature 2023, 622: 383-392. PMID: 37731001, PMCID: PMC10871066, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06568-6.
- Townsend J, Hassler H, Emu B, Dornburg A. Infection with alternate frequencies of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosting for patients undergoing antineoplastic cancer treatments. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2023, 115: 1626-1628. PMID: 37599438, PMCID: PMC10699797, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad158.
- Chan P, Li X, Li F, Emu B, Price R, Spudich S. Longitudinal CNS and systemic T-lymphocyte and monocyte activation before and after antiretroviral therapy beginning in primary HIV infection. Frontiers In Immunology 2025, 16: 1531828. PMID: 40070827, PMCID: PMC11893981, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1531828.
- Kumar P, Rolle C, Emu B, Henry Z, Martorell C, McKinnon J, Slim J, Cash R, Anstett K. P-565. A Prospective and Retrospective Observational Study of Multidrug-Resistant Patient Outcomes with and without Ibalizumab in a Real-World Setting: United States (PROMISE-US) Study Design and Baseline Characteristics. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2025, 12: ofae631.763. PMCID: PMC11778372, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae631.763.
- Chan E, Zhou L, Emu B, Paintsil E, Barakat L. P-551. The Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy on Immune Activation, Inflammation, Cellular Changes and Clinical Outcomes in Elite Controllers. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2025, 12: ofae631.750. PMCID: PMC11777457, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae631.750.
- Globig A, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Chaudhary O, Hoffmann F, Chen D, O’Connor C, Emu B, Kaech S. 1014 Adrenergic receptors regulate T cell differentiation in viral infection and cancer. 2023, a1122-a1122. DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-sitc2023.1014.
- Hicks D, Salahuddin S, Wu M, Perez-Irizarry J, Emu B, Park H. Impact of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment on CD4 T Cell Decline and Recovery in People with HIV. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2023, 117: e588. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1934.
- El Zarif T, Nassar A, Adib E, Fitzgerald B, Huang J, Mouhieddine T, Rubinstein P, Nonato T, McKay R, Li M, Mittra A, Owen D, Baiocchi R, Lorentsen M, Dittus C, Dizman N, Falohun A, Abdel-Wahab N, Diab A, Bankapur A, Reed A, Kim C, Arora A, Shah N, El-Am E, Kozaily E, Abdallah W, Al-Hader A, Abu Ghazal B, Saeed A, Drolen C, Lechner M, Drakaki A, Baena J, Nebhan C, Haykal T, Morse M, Cortellini A, Pinato D, Dalla Pria A, Hall E, Bakalov V, Bahary N, Rajkumar A, Mangla A, Shah V, Singh P, Aboubakar Nana F, Lopetegui-Lia N, Dima D, Dobbs R, Funchain P, Saleem R, Woodford R, Long G, Menzies A, Genova C, Barletta G, Puri S, Florou V, Idossa D, Saponara M, Queirolo P, Lamberti G, Addeo A, Bersanelli M, Freeman D, Xie W, Reid E, Chiao E, Sharon E, Johnson D, Ramaswami R, Bower M, Emu B, Marron T, Choueiri T, Baden L, Lurain K, Sonpavde G, Naqash A. Safety and Activity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in People Living With HIV and Cancer: A Real-World Report From the Cancer Therapy Using Checkpoint Inhibitors in People Living With HIV-International (CATCH-IT) Consortium. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2023, 41: 3712-3723. PMID: 37192435, PMCID: PMC10351941, DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.02459.
- Globig A, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Chaudhary O, Hoffmann F, Chen D, O’Connor C, Emu B, Kaech S. Adrenergic receptors regulate T cell differentiation in viral infection and cancer. The Journal Of Immunology 2023, 210: 59.13-59.13. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.210.supp.59.13.
- Gleeson S, Zapata H, Bathgate M, Emu B, Frederick J, Friedland G, Golden M, Meyer J, Radin J, Sideleau R, Shaw A, Shenoi S, Trubin P, Virata M, Barakat L, Desruisseaux M. Building an Infectious Disease Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism (ID2EA) Curriculum: A Single Center's Experience and Reflections. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2023, 77: 703-710. PMID: 37078888, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad236.
- Asashima H, Mohanty S, Comi M, Ruff W, Hoehn K, Wong P, Klein J, Lucas C, Cohen I, Coffey S, Lele N, Greta L, Raddassi K, Chaudhary O, Unterman A, Emu B, Kleinstein S, Montgomery R, Iwasaki A, Dela Cruz C, Kaminski N, Shaw A, Hafler D, Sumida T. PD-1highCXCR5–CD4+ peripheral helper T cells promote CXCR3+ plasmablasts in human acute viral infection. Cell Reports 2023, 42: 111895. PMID: 36596303, PMCID: PMC9806868, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111895.
- Salahuddin S, Cohen O, Wu M, Irizarry J, Vega T, Gan G, Deng Y, Isaeva N, Schalper K, Mehra S, Yarbrough W, Emu B. Impact of HIV infection on clinical outcomes among people diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2022, 40: e18080-e18080. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e18080.
- Yasin F, Chow R, Emu B, Bui T, Prsic E. Palliation of malignancies in HIV infection. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2021, 14: e2185-e2186. PMID: 34006512, DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003179.
- Pfister D, Núñez NG, Pinyol R, Govaere O, Pinter M, Szydlowska M, Gupta R, Qiu M, Deczkowska A, Weiner A, Müller F, Sinha A, Friebel E, Engleitner T, Lenggenhager D, Moncsek A, Heide D, Stirm K, Kosla J, Kotsiliti E, Leone V, Dudek M, Yousuf S, Inverso D, Singh I, Teijeiro A, Castet F, Montironi C, Haber PK, Tiniakos D, Bedossa P, Cockell S, Younes R, Vacca M, Marra F, Schattenberg JM, Allison M, Bugianesi E, Ratziu V, Pressiani T, D’Alessio A, Personeni N, Rimassa L, Daly AK, Scheiner B, Pomej K, Kirstein MM, Vogel A, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Hucke F, Finkelmeier F, Waidmann O, Trojan J, Schulze K, Wege H, Koch S, Weinmann A, Bueter M, Rössler F, Siebenhüner A, De Dosso S, Mallm JP, Umansky V, Jugold M, Luedde T, Schietinger A, Schirmacher P, Emu B, Augustin HG, Billeter A, Müller-Stich B, Kikuchi H, Duda DG, Kütting F, Waldschmidt DT, Ebert MP, Rahbari N, Mei HE, Schulz AR, Ringelhan M, Malek N, Spahn S, Bitzer M, Ruiz de Galarreta M, Lujambio A, Dufour JF, Marron TU, Kaseb A, Kudo M, Huang YH, Djouder N, Wolter K, Zender L, Marche PN, Decaens T, Pinato DJ, Rad R, Mertens JC, Weber A, Unger K, Meissner F, Roth S, Jilkova ZM, Claassen M, Anstee QM, Amit I, Knolle P, Becher B, Llovet JM, Heikenwalder M. NASH limits anti-tumour surveillance in immunotherapy-treated HCC. Nature 2021, 592: 450-456. PMID: 33762733, PMCID: PMC8046670, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03362-0.
- OʼMeara T, Kong Y, Chiarella J, Price RW, Chaudhury R, Liu X, Spudich S, Robertson K, Emu B, Lu L. Exosomal MicroRNAs Associate With Neuropsychological Performance in Individuals With HIV Infection on Antiretroviral Therapy. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2019, 82: 514-522. PMID: 31714431, PMCID: PMC6857839, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002187.
- Yusuf R, Villarroel-Espindola F, Schalper K, Emu B. P1.04-23 Characterizing the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma in People Living with HIV Using Imaging Mass Cytometry. Journal Of Thoracic Oncology 2019, 14: s448. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.08.926.
- Uldrick TS, Gonçalves PH, Abdul-Hay M, Claeys AJ, Emu B, Ernstoff MS, Fling SP, Fong L, Kaiser JC, Lacroix AM, Lee SY, Lundgren LM, Lurain K, Parsons CH, Peeramsetti S, Ramaswami R, Sharon E, Sznol M, Wang C, Yarchoan R, Cheever MA. Assessment of the Safety of Pembrolizumab in Patients With HIV and Advanced Cancer—A Phase 1 Study. JAMA Oncology 2019, 5: 1332-1339. PMID: 31154457, PMCID: PMC6547135, DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.2244.
- Uldrick T, Goncalves P, Abdul Hay M, Claeys A, Emu B, Ernstoff M, Fong L, Kaiser J, Kohrt H, Lacroix A, Lee S, Lundgren L, Lurain K, Parsons C, Peeramsetti S, Ramaswami R, Sharon E, Wang C, Yarchoan R, Cheever M. Phase I study of pembrolizumab in people with HIV and cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: 2500-2500. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.2500.
- Emu B, Fessel J, Schrader S, Kumar P, Richmond G, Win S, Weinheimer S, Marsolais C, Lewis S. Phase 3 Study of Ibalizumab for Multidrug-Resistant HIV-1. New England Journal Of Medicine 2018, 379: 645-654. PMID: 30110589, DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1711460.
- Farhadian S, Jalbert E, Deng Y, Goetz MB, Park LS, Justice A, Dubrow R, Emu B. HIV and Age Do Not Synergistically Affect Age-Related T-Cell Markers. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2018, 77: 337-344. PMID: 29140874, PMCID: PMC5807137, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001595.
- Uldrick T, Cheever M, Gonçalves P, Fling S, Aleman K, Emu B, Ernstoff M, Gorelick R, Kaiser J, Kohrt H, Lacroix A, Lindsley M, Lundgren L, Lurain K, Maldarelli F, Parsons C, Sharon E, Widell A, Yarchoan R. OP8.3 Interim safety analysis of cancer immunotherapy trials Network – 12 (CITN-12): a Phase 1 study of pembrolizumab in patients with HIV and cancer. Journal Of Virus Eradication 2017, 3: 55-56. DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30567-7.
- Emu B, Fessel W, Schrader S, Kumar P, Richmond G, Win S, Weinheimer S, Marsolais C, Lewis S. Forty-eight-Week Safety and Efficacy On-Treatment Analysis of Ibalizumab in Patients with Multi-Drug Resistant HIV-1. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: s38-s39. PMCID: PMC5632088, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx162.093.
- Thaler J, Sigel C, Beasley MB, Wisnivesky J, Crothers K, Bauml J, Hysell K, Emu B, Borsu L, Sigel K. Clinically significant mutations in HIV-infected patients with lung adenocarcinoma. British Journal Of Cancer 2017, 117: 1392-1395. PMID: 28934759, PMCID: PMC5672933, DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.333.
- Ishida JH, Patel A, Mehta AK, Gatault P, McBride JM, Burgess T, Derby MA, Snydman DR, Emu B, Feierbach B, Fouts AE, Maia M, Deng R, Rosenberger CM, Gennaro LA, Striano NS, Liao XC, Tavel JA. Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of RG7667, a Combination Monoclonal Antibody, for Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Infection in High-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2017, 61: 10.1128/aac.01794-16. PMID: 27872061, PMCID: PMC5278717, DOI: 10.1128/aac.01794-16.
- Zhang X, Justice AC, Hu Y, Wang Z, Zhao H, Wang G, Johnson EO, Emu B, Sutton RE, Krystal JH, Xu K. Epigenome-wide differential DNA methylation between HIV-infected and uninfected individuals. Epigenetics 2016, 11: 750-760. PMID: 27672717, PMCID: PMC5094631, DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1221569.
- Armah K, Edelman E, Cheng D, Doyle M, Coleman S, Bridden C, Gnatienko N, Lioznov D, Blokhina E, Emu B, Freiberg M, Krupitsky E, Samet J. Is opioid use associated with T cell dysfunction? Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 156: e9. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.943.
- Ishida JH, Burgess T, Derby MA, Brown PA, Maia M, Deng R, Emu B, Feierbach B, Fouts AE, Liao XC, Tavel JA. Phase 1 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of RG7667, an Anticytomegalovirus Combination Monoclonal Antibody Therapy, in Healthy Adults. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2015, 59: 4919-4929. PMID: 26055360, PMCID: PMC4505204, DOI: 10.1128/aac.00523-15.
- Emu B, Moretto WJ, Hoh R, Krone M, Martin JN, Nixon DF, Deeks SG, McCune JM. Composition and Function of T Cell Subpopulations Are Slow to Change Despite Effective Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV Disease. PLOS ONE 2014, 9: e85613. PMID: 24465619, PMCID: PMC3897457, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085613.
- Emu B, Luca D, Offutt C, Grogan JL, Rojkovich B, Williams MB, Tang MT, Xiao J, Lee JH, Davis JC. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and biologic activity of pateclizumab, a novel monoclonal antibody targeting lymphotoxin α: results of a phase I randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012, 14: r6. PMID: 22225620, PMCID: PMC3392792, DOI: 10.1186/ar3554.
- Hunt PW, Landay AL, Sinclair E, Martinson JA, Hatano H, Emu B, Norris PJ, Busch MP, Martin JN, Brooks C, McCune JM, Deeks SG. A Low T Regulatory Cell Response May Contribute to Both Viral Control and Generalized Immune Activation in HIV Controllers. PLOS ONE 2011, 6: e15924. PMID: 21305005, PMCID: PMC3031543, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015924.
- Favre D, Stoddart CA, Emu B, Hoh R, Martin JN, Hecht FM, Deeks SG, McCune JM. HIV disease progression correlates with the generation of dysfunctional naive CD8low T cells. Blood 2011, 117: 2189-2199. PMID: 21200021, PMCID: PMC3062328, DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-06-288035.
- Hunt P, Hsue P, Sinclair E, Landay A, Martinson J, Hatano H, Emu B, Norris P, Busch M, Martin J, Brooks C, McCune J, Deeks S. Potential inflammatory consequences in HIV controllers. Retrovirology 2010, 7: i28. PMCID: PMC3315933, DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-7-s1-i28.
- Emu B, Sinclair E, Hatano H, Ferre A, Shacklett B, Martin JN, McCune JM, Deeks SG. HLA Class I-Restricted T-Cell Responses May Contribute to the Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, but Such Responses Are Not Always Necessary for Long-Term Virus Control. Journal Of Virology 2008, 82: 5398-5407. PMID: 18353945, PMCID: PMC2395228, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02176-07.
- Hunt PW, Brenchley J, Sinclair E, McCune JM, Roland M, Shafer K, Hsue P, Emu B, Krone M, Lampiris H, Douek D, Martin JN, Deeks SG. Relationship between T Cell Activation and CD4+ T Cell Count in HIV-Seropositive Individuals with Undetectable Plasma HIV RNA Levels in the Absence of Therapy. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 197: 126-133. PMID: 18171295, PMCID: PMC3466592, DOI: 10.1086/524143.
- Owen RE, Sinclair E, Emu B, Heitman JW, Hirschkorn DF, Epling CL, Tan QX, Custer B, Harris JM, Jacobson MA, McCune JM, Martin JN, Hecht FM, Deeks SG, Norris PJ. Loss of T cell responses following long-term cryopreservation. Journal Of Immunological Methods 2007, 326: 93-115. PMID: 17707394, PMCID: PMC2065759, DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2007.07.012.
- Nomura LE, Emu B, Hoh R, Haaland P, Deeks SG, Martin JN, McCune JM, Nixon DF, Maecker HT. IL-2 production correlates with effector cell differentiation in HIV-specific CD8+ T cells. AIDS Research And Therapy 2006, 3: 18. PMID: 16859558, PMCID: PMC1562434, DOI: 10.1186/1742-6405-3-18.
- Emu B, Sinclair E, Favre D, Moretto WJ, Hsue P, Hoh R, Martin JN, Nixon DF, McCune JM, Deeks SG. Phenotypic, Functional, and Kinetic Parameters Associated with Apparent T-Cell Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in Individuals with and without Antiretroviral Treatment. Journal Of Virology 2005, 79: 14169-14178. PMID: 16254352, PMCID: PMC1280210, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.22.14169-14178.2005.
Locations
Yale Infectious Diseases
Yale Center for Infectious Disease
200 Orchard Street
New Haven, CT 06511
- Yale Infectious DiseasesYale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511
Biography
Brinda Emu, MD, PhD, is an infectious diseases specialist who provides care for people with HIV and related conditions, including those at risk for cancers such as lymphoma and Kaposi sarcoma (a type of cancer in the lining of the blood vessels).
As an associate professor of medicine (infectious diseases) at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Emu studies how chronic viral infections can weaken the body’s defenses and lead to tumor development. She examines ways to strengthen immune function so patients can better manage both HIV and cancer.
Dr. Emu received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco.
Titles
- Associate Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)
- Director, Cancer-ID Clinic, Internal Medicine
- co-Leader, Cancer Microbiology Working Group, Yale Cancer Center
Education & Training
- ResidencyBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2001)
- MDJohns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1998)
- ABHarvard University (1994)
Additional Information
Professional Service
- AIDS Clinical Trials Group (2018 - Present): Elected Member of the Inflammation Transformative Science Group
Publications
- Salahuddin S, Cohen O, Wu M, Irizarry J, Vega T, Gan G, Deng Y, Isaeva N, Prasad M, Schalper K, Mehra S, Yarbrough W, Emu B. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Is Associated With Poor Overall Survival Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2022, 76: 1449-1458. PMID: 36520995, PMCID: PMC10319962, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac924.
- Chaudhary O, Trotta D, Wang K, Wang X, Chu X, Bradley C, Okulicz J, Maves RC, Kronmann K, Schofield CM, Blaylock JM, Deng Y, Schalper KA, Kaech SM, Agan B, Ganesan A, Emu B. Patients with HIV-associated cancers have evidence of increased T cell dysfunction and exhaustion prior to cancer diagnosis. Journal For ImmunoTherapy Of Cancer 2022, 10: e004564. PMID: 35470232, PMCID: PMC9039380, DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004564.
- DiMaio D, Emu B, Goodman AL, Mothes W, Justice A. Cancer Microbiology. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2021, 114: 651-663. PMID: 34850062, PMCID: PMC9086797, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djab212.
- Xu S, Chaudhary O, Rodríguez-Morales P, Sun X, Chen D, Zappasodi R, Xu Z, Pinto AFM, Williams A, Schulze I, Farsakoglu Y, Varanasi SK, Low JS, Tang W, Wang H, McDonald B, Tripple V, Downes M, Evans RM, Abumrad NA, Merghoub T, Wolchok JD, Shokhirev MN, Ho PC, Witztum JL, Emu B, Cui G, Kaech SM. Uptake of oxidized lipids by the scavenger receptor CD36 promotes lipid peroxidation and dysfunction in CD8+ T cells in tumors. Immunity 2021, 54: 1561-1577.e7. PMID: 34102100, PMCID: PMC9273026, DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.05.003.
- Hysell K, Yusuf R, Barakat L, Virata M, Gan G, Deng Y, Perez-Irizarry J, Vega T, Goldberg SB, Emu B. Decreased Overall Survival in HIV-associated Non–small-cell Lung Cancer. Clinical Lung Cancer 2020, 22: e498-e505. PMID: 33468393, PMCID: PMC8169710, DOI: 10.1016/j.cllc.2020.11.006.
- Emu B, DeJesus E, Berhe M, Leider J, Creticos C, Weinheimer S, Cohen Z. 661. Ibalizumab Efficacy and Safety Through 48 Weeks of Treatment: Results of an Expanded Access Protocol (TMB-311). Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2019, 6: s303-s303. PMCID: PMC6811265, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofz360.729.
- Zarif T, Nassar A, Adib E, Fitzgerald B, Huang J, Mouhieddine T, Nonato T, McKay R, Li M, Mittra A, Owen D, Lorentsen M, Dittus C, Dizman N, Emu B, Falohun A, Abdel-Wahab N, Bankapur A, Reed A, Dobbs R, Kim C, Arora A, Shah N, El-Am E, Kozaily E, Abdallah W, Al-Hader A, Ghazal B, Saeed A, Drolen C, Lechner M, Espinar J, Nebhan C, Johnson D, Haykal T, Morse M, Cortellini A, Pinato D, Pria A, Bower M, Hall E, Bakalov V, Bahary N, Rajkumar A, Mangla A, Shah V, Singh P, Nana F, Lia N, Dima D, Funchain P, Saleem R, Woodford R, Long AO G, Menzies A, Genova C, Barletta G, Puri S, Florou V, Idossa D, Queirolo P, Lamberti G, Addeo A, Bersanelli M, Freeman D, Xie W, Ramaswami R, Marron T, Choueiri T, Lurain K, Baden L, Sonpavde G, Naqash A. 437 Safety and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients living with HIV (PLWH) and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a matched cohort study from the international CATCH-IT consortium. 2022, a457-a458. DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-sitc2022.0437.
- Globig A, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Maltez V, Guiza J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Araujo Hoffmann F, Chaudhary O, Wang J, Senturk G, Chen D, O’Connor C, Pfaff S, Germain R, Schalper K, Emu B, Kaech S. The β1-adrenergic receptor links sympathetic nerves to T cell exhaustion. Nature 2023, 622: 383-392. PMID: 37731001, PMCID: PMC10871066, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06568-6.
- Townsend J, Hassler H, Emu B, Dornburg A. Infection with alternate frequencies of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosting for patients undergoing antineoplastic cancer treatments. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2023, 115: 1626-1628. PMID: 37599438, PMCID: PMC10699797, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djad158.
- Chan P, Li X, Li F, Emu B, Price R, Spudich S. Longitudinal CNS and systemic T-lymphocyte and monocyte activation before and after antiretroviral therapy beginning in primary HIV infection. Frontiers In Immunology 2025, 16: 1531828. PMID: 40070827, PMCID: PMC11893981, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1531828.
- Kumar P, Rolle C, Emu B, Henry Z, Martorell C, McKinnon J, Slim J, Cash R, Anstett K. P-565. A Prospective and Retrospective Observational Study of Multidrug-Resistant Patient Outcomes with and without Ibalizumab in a Real-World Setting: United States (PROMISE-US) Study Design and Baseline Characteristics. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2025, 12: ofae631.763. PMCID: PMC11778372, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae631.763.
- Chan E, Zhou L, Emu B, Paintsil E, Barakat L. P-551. The Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy on Immune Activation, Inflammation, Cellular Changes and Clinical Outcomes in Elite Controllers. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2025, 12: ofae631.750. PMCID: PMC11777457, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae631.750.
- Globig A, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Chaudhary O, Hoffmann F, Chen D, O’Connor C, Emu B, Kaech S. 1014 Adrenergic receptors regulate T cell differentiation in viral infection and cancer. 2023, a1122-a1122. DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-sitc2023.1014.
- Hicks D, Salahuddin S, Wu M, Perez-Irizarry J, Emu B, Park H. Impact of Head and Neck Cancer Treatment on CD4 T Cell Decline and Recovery in People with HIV. International Journal Of Radiation Oncology • Biology • Physics 2023, 117: e588. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2023.06.1934.
- El Zarif T, Nassar A, Adib E, Fitzgerald B, Huang J, Mouhieddine T, Rubinstein P, Nonato T, McKay R, Li M, Mittra A, Owen D, Baiocchi R, Lorentsen M, Dittus C, Dizman N, Falohun A, Abdel-Wahab N, Diab A, Bankapur A, Reed A, Kim C, Arora A, Shah N, El-Am E, Kozaily E, Abdallah W, Al-Hader A, Abu Ghazal B, Saeed A, Drolen C, Lechner M, Drakaki A, Baena J, Nebhan C, Haykal T, Morse M, Cortellini A, Pinato D, Dalla Pria A, Hall E, Bakalov V, Bahary N, Rajkumar A, Mangla A, Shah V, Singh P, Aboubakar Nana F, Lopetegui-Lia N, Dima D, Dobbs R, Funchain P, Saleem R, Woodford R, Long G, Menzies A, Genova C, Barletta G, Puri S, Florou V, Idossa D, Saponara M, Queirolo P, Lamberti G, Addeo A, Bersanelli M, Freeman D, Xie W, Reid E, Chiao E, Sharon E, Johnson D, Ramaswami R, Bower M, Emu B, Marron T, Choueiri T, Baden L, Lurain K, Sonpavde G, Naqash A. Safety and Activity of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in People Living With HIV and Cancer: A Real-World Report From the Cancer Therapy Using Checkpoint Inhibitors in People Living With HIV-International (CATCH-IT) Consortium. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2023, 41: 3712-3723. PMID: 37192435, PMCID: PMC10351941, DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.02459.
- Globig A, Zhao S, Roginsky J, Avina-Ochoa N, Heeg M, Chaudhary O, Hoffmann F, Chen D, O’Connor C, Emu B, Kaech S. Adrenergic receptors regulate T cell differentiation in viral infection and cancer. The Journal Of Immunology 2023, 210: 59.13-59.13. DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.210.supp.59.13.
- Gleeson S, Zapata H, Bathgate M, Emu B, Frederick J, Friedland G, Golden M, Meyer J, Radin J, Sideleau R, Shaw A, Shenoi S, Trubin P, Virata M, Barakat L, Desruisseaux M. Building an Infectious Disease Diversity, Equity, and Antiracism (ID2EA) Curriculum: A Single Center's Experience and Reflections. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2023, 77: 703-710. PMID: 37078888, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad236.
- Asashima H, Mohanty S, Comi M, Ruff W, Hoehn K, Wong P, Klein J, Lucas C, Cohen I, Coffey S, Lele N, Greta L, Raddassi K, Chaudhary O, Unterman A, Emu B, Kleinstein S, Montgomery R, Iwasaki A, Dela Cruz C, Kaminski N, Shaw A, Hafler D, Sumida T. PD-1highCXCR5–CD4+ peripheral helper T cells promote CXCR3+ plasmablasts in human acute viral infection. Cell Reports 2023, 42: 111895. PMID: 36596303, PMCID: PMC9806868, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111895.
- Salahuddin S, Cohen O, Wu M, Irizarry J, Vega T, Gan G, Deng Y, Isaeva N, Schalper K, Mehra S, Yarbrough W, Emu B. Impact of HIV infection on clinical outcomes among people diagnosed with head and neck cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2022, 40: e18080-e18080. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2022.40.16_suppl.e18080.
- Yasin F, Chow R, Emu B, Bui T, Prsic E. Palliation of malignancies in HIV infection. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 2021, 14: e2185-e2186. PMID: 34006512, DOI: 10.1136/bmjspcare-2021-003179.
- Pfister D, Núñez NG, Pinyol R, Govaere O, Pinter M, Szydlowska M, Gupta R, Qiu M, Deczkowska A, Weiner A, Müller F, Sinha A, Friebel E, Engleitner T, Lenggenhager D, Moncsek A, Heide D, Stirm K, Kosla J, Kotsiliti E, Leone V, Dudek M, Yousuf S, Inverso D, Singh I, Teijeiro A, Castet F, Montironi C, Haber PK, Tiniakos D, Bedossa P, Cockell S, Younes R, Vacca M, Marra F, Schattenberg JM, Allison M, Bugianesi E, Ratziu V, Pressiani T, D’Alessio A, Personeni N, Rimassa L, Daly AK, Scheiner B, Pomej K, Kirstein MM, Vogel A, Peck-Radosavljevic M, Hucke F, Finkelmeier F, Waidmann O, Trojan J, Schulze K, Wege H, Koch S, Weinmann A, Bueter M, Rössler F, Siebenhüner A, De Dosso S, Mallm JP, Umansky V, Jugold M, Luedde T, Schietinger A, Schirmacher P, Emu B, Augustin HG, Billeter A, Müller-Stich B, Kikuchi H, Duda DG, Kütting F, Waldschmidt DT, Ebert MP, Rahbari N, Mei HE, Schulz AR, Ringelhan M, Malek N, Spahn S, Bitzer M, Ruiz de Galarreta M, Lujambio A, Dufour JF, Marron TU, Kaseb A, Kudo M, Huang YH, Djouder N, Wolter K, Zender L, Marche PN, Decaens T, Pinato DJ, Rad R, Mertens JC, Weber A, Unger K, Meissner F, Roth S, Jilkova ZM, Claassen M, Anstee QM, Amit I, Knolle P, Becher B, Llovet JM, Heikenwalder M. NASH limits anti-tumour surveillance in immunotherapy-treated HCC. Nature 2021, 592: 450-456. PMID: 33762733, PMCID: PMC8046670, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03362-0.
- OʼMeara T, Kong Y, Chiarella J, Price RW, Chaudhury R, Liu X, Spudich S, Robertson K, Emu B, Lu L. Exosomal MicroRNAs Associate With Neuropsychological Performance in Individuals With HIV Infection on Antiretroviral Therapy. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2019, 82: 514-522. PMID: 31714431, PMCID: PMC6857839, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002187.
- Yusuf R, Villarroel-Espindola F, Schalper K, Emu B. P1.04-23 Characterizing the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma in People Living with HIV Using Imaging Mass Cytometry. Journal Of Thoracic Oncology 2019, 14: s448. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtho.2019.08.926.
- Uldrick TS, Gonçalves PH, Abdul-Hay M, Claeys AJ, Emu B, Ernstoff MS, Fling SP, Fong L, Kaiser JC, Lacroix AM, Lee SY, Lundgren LM, Lurain K, Parsons CH, Peeramsetti S, Ramaswami R, Sharon E, Sznol M, Wang C, Yarchoan R, Cheever MA. Assessment of the Safety of Pembrolizumab in Patients With HIV and Advanced Cancer—A Phase 1 Study. JAMA Oncology 2019, 5: 1332-1339. PMID: 31154457, PMCID: PMC6547135, DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2019.2244.
- Uldrick T, Goncalves P, Abdul Hay M, Claeys A, Emu B, Ernstoff M, Fong L, Kaiser J, Kohrt H, Lacroix A, Lee S, Lundgren L, Lurain K, Parsons C, Peeramsetti S, Ramaswami R, Sharon E, Wang C, Yarchoan R, Cheever M. Phase I study of pembrolizumab in people with HIV and cancer. Journal Of Clinical Oncology 2019, 37: 2500-2500. DOI: 10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.2500.
- Emu B, Fessel J, Schrader S, Kumar P, Richmond G, Win S, Weinheimer S, Marsolais C, Lewis S. Phase 3 Study of Ibalizumab for Multidrug-Resistant HIV-1. New England Journal Of Medicine 2018, 379: 645-654. PMID: 30110589, DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1711460.
- Farhadian S, Jalbert E, Deng Y, Goetz MB, Park LS, Justice A, Dubrow R, Emu B. HIV and Age Do Not Synergistically Affect Age-Related T-Cell Markers. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2018, 77: 337-344. PMID: 29140874, PMCID: PMC5807137, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001595.
- Uldrick T, Cheever M, Gonçalves P, Fling S, Aleman K, Emu B, Ernstoff M, Gorelick R, Kaiser J, Kohrt H, Lacroix A, Lindsley M, Lundgren L, Lurain K, Maldarelli F, Parsons C, Sharon E, Widell A, Yarchoan R. OP8.3 Interim safety analysis of cancer immunotherapy trials Network – 12 (CITN-12): a Phase 1 study of pembrolizumab in patients with HIV and cancer. Journal Of Virus Eradication 2017, 3: 55-56. DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30567-7.
- Emu B, Fessel W, Schrader S, Kumar P, Richmond G, Win S, Weinheimer S, Marsolais C, Lewis S. Forty-eight-Week Safety and Efficacy On-Treatment Analysis of Ibalizumab in Patients with Multi-Drug Resistant HIV-1. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: s38-s39. PMCID: PMC5632088, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx162.093.
- Thaler J, Sigel C, Beasley MB, Wisnivesky J, Crothers K, Bauml J, Hysell K, Emu B, Borsu L, Sigel K. Clinically significant mutations in HIV-infected patients with lung adenocarcinoma. British Journal Of Cancer 2017, 117: 1392-1395. PMID: 28934759, PMCID: PMC5672933, DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.333.
- Ishida JH, Patel A, Mehta AK, Gatault P, McBride JM, Burgess T, Derby MA, Snydman DR, Emu B, Feierbach B, Fouts AE, Maia M, Deng R, Rosenberger CM, Gennaro LA, Striano NS, Liao XC, Tavel JA. Phase 2 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of RG7667, a Combination Monoclonal Antibody, for Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Infection in High-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2017, 61: 10.1128/aac.01794-16. PMID: 27872061, PMCID: PMC5278717, DOI: 10.1128/aac.01794-16.
- Zhang X, Justice AC, Hu Y, Wang Z, Zhao H, Wang G, Johnson EO, Emu B, Sutton RE, Krystal JH, Xu K. Epigenome-wide differential DNA methylation between HIV-infected and uninfected individuals. Epigenetics 2016, 11: 750-760. PMID: 27672717, PMCID: PMC5094631, DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2016.1221569.
- Armah K, Edelman E, Cheng D, Doyle M, Coleman S, Bridden C, Gnatienko N, Lioznov D, Blokhina E, Emu B, Freiberg M, Krupitsky E, Samet J. Is opioid use associated with T cell dysfunction? Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 156: e9. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.943.
- Ishida JH, Burgess T, Derby MA, Brown PA, Maia M, Deng R, Emu B, Feierbach B, Fouts AE, Liao XC, Tavel JA. Phase 1 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of RG7667, an Anticytomegalovirus Combination Monoclonal Antibody Therapy, in Healthy Adults. Antimicrobial Agents And Chemotherapy 2015, 59: 4919-4929. PMID: 26055360, PMCID: PMC4505204, DOI: 10.1128/aac.00523-15.
- Emu B, Moretto WJ, Hoh R, Krone M, Martin JN, Nixon DF, Deeks SG, McCune JM. Composition and Function of T Cell Subpopulations Are Slow to Change Despite Effective Antiretroviral Treatment of HIV Disease. PLOS ONE 2014, 9: e85613. PMID: 24465619, PMCID: PMC3897457, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085613.
- Emu B, Luca D, Offutt C, Grogan JL, Rojkovich B, Williams MB, Tang MT, Xiao J, Lee JH, Davis JC. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and biologic activity of pateclizumab, a novel monoclonal antibody targeting lymphotoxin α: results of a phase I randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2012, 14: r6. PMID: 22225620, PMCID: PMC3392792, DOI: 10.1186/ar3554.
- Hunt PW, Landay AL, Sinclair E, Martinson JA, Hatano H, Emu B, Norris PJ, Busch MP, Martin JN, Brooks C, McCune JM, Deeks SG. A Low T Regulatory Cell Response May Contribute to Both Viral Control and Generalized Immune Activation in HIV Controllers. PLOS ONE 2011, 6: e15924. PMID: 21305005, PMCID: PMC3031543, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015924.
- Favre D, Stoddart CA, Emu B, Hoh R, Martin JN, Hecht FM, Deeks SG, McCune JM. HIV disease progression correlates with the generation of dysfunctional naive CD8low T cells. Blood 2011, 117: 2189-2199. PMID: 21200021, PMCID: PMC3062328, DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-06-288035.
- Hunt P, Hsue P, Sinclair E, Landay A, Martinson J, Hatano H, Emu B, Norris P, Busch M, Martin J, Brooks C, McCune J, Deeks S. Potential inflammatory consequences in HIV controllers. Retrovirology 2010, 7: i28. PMCID: PMC3315933, DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-7-s1-i28.
- Emu B, Sinclair E, Hatano H, Ferre A, Shacklett B, Martin JN, McCune JM, Deeks SG. HLA Class I-Restricted T-Cell Responses May Contribute to the Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection, but Such Responses Are Not Always Necessary for Long-Term Virus Control. Journal Of Virology 2008, 82: 5398-5407. PMID: 18353945, PMCID: PMC2395228, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02176-07.
- Hunt PW, Brenchley J, Sinclair E, McCune JM, Roland M, Shafer K, Hsue P, Emu B, Krone M, Lampiris H, Douek D, Martin JN, Deeks SG. Relationship between T Cell Activation and CD4+ T Cell Count in HIV-Seropositive Individuals with Undetectable Plasma HIV RNA Levels in the Absence of Therapy. The Journal Of Infectious Diseases 2008, 197: 126-133. PMID: 18171295, PMCID: PMC3466592, DOI: 10.1086/524143.
- Owen RE, Sinclair E, Emu B, Heitman JW, Hirschkorn DF, Epling CL, Tan QX, Custer B, Harris JM, Jacobson MA, McCune JM, Martin JN, Hecht FM, Deeks SG, Norris PJ. Loss of T cell responses following long-term cryopreservation. Journal Of Immunological Methods 2007, 326: 93-115. PMID: 17707394, PMCID: PMC2065759, DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2007.07.012.
- Nomura LE, Emu B, Hoh R, Haaland P, Deeks SG, Martin JN, McCune JM, Nixon DF, Maecker HT. IL-2 production correlates with effector cell differentiation in HIV-specific CD8+ T cells. AIDS Research And Therapy 2006, 3: 18. PMID: 16859558, PMCID: PMC1562434, DOI: 10.1186/1742-6405-3-18.
- Emu B, Sinclair E, Favre D, Moretto WJ, Hsue P, Hoh R, Martin JN, Nixon DF, McCune JM, Deeks SG. Phenotypic, Functional, and Kinetic Parameters Associated with Apparent T-Cell Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Replication in Individuals with and without Antiretroviral Treatment. Journal Of Virology 2005, 79: 14169-14178. PMID: 16254352, PMCID: PMC1280210, DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.22.14169-14178.2005.
Locations
Yale Infectious Diseases
Yale Center for Infectious Disease
200 Orchard Street
New Haven, CT 06511
- Yale Infectious DiseasesYale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511
Yale Infectious Diseases
Yale Center for Infectious Disease
200 Orchard Street
New Haven, CT 06511
- Yale Infectious DiseasesYale Center for Infectious Disease200 Orchard StreetNew Haven, CT 06511