Li Ma, Ph.D.
Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology
About Dr. Li Ma
Dr. Li Ma received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Peking University in 2001. After completing her Ph.D. study at Sloan-Kettering Institute and Cornell University Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences in 2006, she became a Postdoctoral Fellow in Bob Weinberg’s lab at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. She joined the faculty of MD Anderson Cancer Center as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in 2010 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015. In September 2021, she was promoted to Professor. Since March 2023, she has been holding the Nylene Eckles Distinguished Professorship. Dr. Ma is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS; 2023). Currently, Dr. Ma and her lab are studying metastasis, immune response, and immune therapy response.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Nylene Eckles Distinguished Professor, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor and Regular Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX
Research Interests
The overarching goal of my laboratory is to understand the molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and metastasis. Our lab has made major contributions to understanding microRNA and lncRNA regulation of metastasis, the role of deubiquitinases in cancer, and cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms of immune evasion, with high-impact publications in Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics, Nature Cell Biology, Nature Metabolism, and Nature Communications. Recent work from our lab includes discoveries in bone metastasis mechanisms (Nature Communications 2024; Science Translational Medicine 2025) and immune-metabolic crosstalk in liver regeneration (Nature Metabolism 2024).
Currently, our team is: (1) establishing new paradigms for the roles of RNAs and RNA-binding proteins in homeostasis and metastasis; (2) performing next-generation in vivo forward genetic screens to identify novel metastasis drivers; (3) investigating new regulators of anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy response; and (4) studying key developmental regulators in cancer, metabolism, and tissue regeneration using genetically engineered mouse models developed in-house.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2006 | Sloan-Kettering Institute, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, New York, US, Cancer Biology and Genetics, PhD |
| 2001 | Peking University, Beijing, CN, Biology, BS |
Postgraduate Training
| 2006-2010 | Postdoctoral Fellow, Cancer Biology, Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Associate Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2021
Associate Professor and Regular Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2021
Assistant Professor and Regular Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2015
Assistant Professor, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2015
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Chair, Shared Resources Executive Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2020 - 2022
Chair, Faculty Recruitment Committee, Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2022
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Consultant, FibroGen, San Francisco, California, 2016
Co-leader of the Biology Arm, MD Anderson’s Center for Radiation Oncology Research, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2016
Institutional Committee Activities
Regular Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee (PTC), 2023 - Present
Advisory Member, Neuroradiology Department Chair Recruitment Committee, 2021 - 2022
Advisory Member, Systems Biology Department Chair Recruitment Committee, 2021 - 2022
Regular Member, Breast Program steering committee, 2021 - Present
Regular Member, Tenure/Tenure Track Review Committee (TTRC), 2021 - Present
Regular Member and Chair, Shared Resources Executive Committee (SHREC), 2020 - 2022
Regular Member, SCRB5/TMC3 Research Think Tank, 2020
Regular Member, Radiation Oncology Strategic Initiatives (ROSI) Program Awards Review Committee, 2019 - Present
Regular Member, Technology Task Force (TTF), 2019 - 2024
Interview Committee Member and Faculty Mentor, CPRIT Research Training Grant, 2018 - Present
Regular Member, Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Department Chair Recruitment Committee, 2018 - 2019
Regular Member, Genetics Department Faculty Recruitment Committee, 2017 - Present
Reviewer, Presidents' Research Scholarship Selection Committee, 2017
Interviewer, Breast Medical Oncology Department Faculty Recruitment Committee, 2016
Regular Member and Chair, Experimental Radiation Oncology Department Faculty Recruitment Committee, 2016 - 2022
Reviewer, Alfred G. Knudson Award Selection Committee, 2015
Regular Member and Chair, Odyssey Fellowship Program, Advisory Committee, 2015 - 2017
Regular Member, Bridge Funding Program, Advisory Committee, 2015 - Present
Regular Member, CPRIT High-Impact, High-Reward, Pre-selection Committee, 2015
Regular Member and Faculty Mentor, Cancer Biology T32, Scientific Conduct Committee, 2015 - Present
Regular Member, Genes and Development Program, Rotation Talk Organizing Committee, 2015 - 2016
Regular Member, Genes and Development Program, Admission Committee, 2015 - 2016
Regular Member, Blaffer Lecture Speaker Selection Committee, 2015 - 2016
Regular Member, Sister Institutions Network Funds, Review Committee, 2015 - 2018
Regular Member, Cancer Biology Program, Membership Retention and Identification Committee, 2014
Regular Member, Symposium on the Future of Cancer Science, Organizing Committee, 2014
Interviewer, GSBS Interview Committee, 2014 - 2017
Regular Member, Genes and Development Program, Candidacy Exam Standing Committee, 2013 - 2016
Regular Member, Center for Radiation Oncology Research, Seed Grant Selection Committee, 2013
Regular Member, Institutional Research Grant Committee, 2011 - Present
Regular Member, Metastasis Research Center, Seed Grant Selection Committee, 2011
Interviewer, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Department Faculty Recruitment Committee, 2011 - 2012
Honors & Awards
| 2023 | Nylene Eckles Distinguished Professorship, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2023 | Elected Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science, AAAS |
| 2021 | Sue Eccles Award for Outstanding Achievements in Metastasis Research, Metastasis Research Society |
| 2020 | R. Lee Clark Prize in Basic/Translational Science, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2016 | Stand Up To Cancer Innovative Research Award, American Association for Cancer Research |
| 2015 | MD Anderson President’s Recognition for Faculty Excellence Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2014 | AAAS Martin and Rose Wachtel Cancer Research Award, American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| 2014 | Clark Fellows Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2013 | Faculty Scholar Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2010 | CPRIT Scholar Award, Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas |
| 2010 | MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant Faculty Development Award, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2010 | University of Texas STARS Award, University of Texas |
| 2009 | NIH/NCI Pathway to Independence Award, National Cancer Institute |
| 2008 | Margaret and Herman Sokol Award, Margaret and Herman Sokol |
| 2007 | Life Sciences Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship Award, Life Sciences Research Foundation |
| 2005 | Julian Rachele Prize, Julian Rachele |
| 2000 | Panasonic Scholarship, Panasonic and Peking University |
| 1999 | Guang Hua Scholarship, Guang Hua Foundation and Peking University |
| 1997 | First Prize, National Competition of Chemistry, Chinese Chemical Society |
Professional Memberships
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Teng H, Hang Q, Zheng C, Yan Y, Liu S, Zhao Y, Deng Y, Nie L, Wu W, Sheldon M, Yu Z, Shi W, Gao J, Meng C, Martinez C, Zhang J, Yao F, Sun Y, Zhao D, Gan B, Meng T, Ma L. In vivo CRISPR activation screen identifies acyl-CoA-binding protein as a driver of bone metastasis. Sci Transl Med 17(799):eado7225, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40397713.
- Meng C, Lin K, Shi W, Teng H, Wan X, DeBruine A, Wang Y, Liang X, Leo J, Chen F, Gu Q, Zhang J, Van V, Maldonado KL, Gan B, Ma L, Lu Y, Zhao D. Histone methyltransferase ASH1L primes metastases and metabolic reprogramming of macrophages in the bone niche. Nat Commun 16(1):4681, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40394007.
- Zhao Z, Hu B, Deng Y, Soeung M, Yao J, Bei L, Zhang Y, Gong P, Huang LA, Jiang Z, Gao J, Peng S, Nguyen TK, Karki M, Lim B, Yee C, Burks JK, Zhang Q, Ma L, Gao J, Tannir NM, Han L, Yu D, Wang L, Curran MA, Gubbiotti MA, Genovese G, Gan B, Li W, Msaouel P, Yang L, Lin C. Sickle cell disease induces chromatin introversion and ferroptosis in CD8(+) T cells to suppress anti-tumor immunity. Immunity, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40359940.
- Ben-Crentsil NA, Ismail WM, Balasis ME, Newman H, Quintana A, Binder M, Kruer T, Neupane S, Ferrall-Fairbanks MC, Fernandez J, Lasho TL, Finke CM, Ibrahim ML, McGraw KL, Wysota M, Aldrich AL, Ryder CB, Letson CT, Traina J, McLemore AF, Droin N, Shastri A, Yun S, Solary E, Sallman DA, Beg AA, Ma L, Gaspar-Maia A, Patnaik MM, Padron E. RNA Shielding of p65 Is Required to Potentiate Oncogenic Inflammation in TET2-Mutated Clonal Hematopoiesis. Cancer Discov 14(12):2509-2531, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39189614.
- Deng Y, Zhao Z, Sheldon M, Zhao Y, Teng H, Martinez C, Zhang J, Lin C, Sun Y, Yao F, Curran MA, Zhu H, Ma L. LIFR regulates cholesterol-driven bidirectional hepatocyte-neutrophil cross-talk to promote liver regeneration. Nat Metab 6(9):1756-1774, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39147934.
- Nie L, Wang C, Huang M, Liu X, Feng X, Tang M, Li S, Hang Q, Teng H, Shen X, Ma L, Gan B, Chen J. DePARylation is critical for S phase progression and cell survival. Elife 12, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38578205.
- Zhao Y, Ning J, Teng H, Deng Y, Sheldon M, Shi L, Martinez C, Zhang J, Tian A, Sun Y, Nakagawa S, Yao F, Wang H, Ma L. Long noncoding RNA Malat1 protects against osteoporosis and bone metastasis. Nat Commun 15(1):2384, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38493144.
- Mei Y, Hang Q, Teng H, Yao F, Chen MK, Hung MC, Sun Y, Ma L. ZRANB1 is an NBS1 deubiquitinase and a potential target to overcome radioresistance and PARP inhibitor resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Genes Dis 10(5):1739-1742, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37492703.
- Yan Y, Teng H, Hang Q, Kondiparthi L, Lei G, Horbath A, Liu X, Mao C, Wu S, Zhuang L, James You M, Poyurovsky MV, Ma L, Olszewski K, Gan B. SLC7A11 expression level dictates differential responses to oxidative stress in cancer cells. Nat Commun 14(1):3673, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37339981.
- Nie L, Wang C, Liu X, Teng H, Li S, Huang M, Feng X, Pei G, Hang Q, Zhao Z, Gan B, Ma L, Chen J. USP7 substrates identified by proteomics analysis reveal the specificity of USP7. Genes Dev 36(17-18):1016-1030, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36302555.
- Deng Y, Xia X, Zhao Y, Zhao Z, Martinez C, Yin W, Yao J, Hang Q, Wu W, Zhang J, Yu Y, Xia W, Yao F, Zhao D, Sun Y, Ying H, Hung MC, Ma L. Glucocorticoid receptor regulates PD-L1 and MHC-I in pancreatic cancer cells to promote immune evasion and immunotherapy resistance. Nat Commun 12(1):7041, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34873175.
- Yao F, Deng Y, Zhao Y, Mei Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, Martinez C, Su X, Rosato RR, Teng H, Hang Q, Yap S, Chen D, Wang Y, Chen MM, Zhang M, Liang H, Xie D, Chen X, Zhu H, Chang JC, You MJ, Sun Y, Gan B, Ma L. A targetable LIFR-NF-κB-LCN2 axis controls liver tumorigenesis and vulnerability to ferroptosis. Nat Commun 12(1):7333, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34921145.
- Hang Q, Zeng L, Wang L, Nie L, Yao F, Teng H, Deng Y, Yap S, Sun Y, Frank SJ, Chen J, Ma L. Non-canonical function of DGCR8 in DNA double-strand break repair signaling and tumor radioresistance. Nat Commun 12(1):4033, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34188037.
- Mei Y, Chen MM, Liang H, Ma L. A four-gene signature predicts survival and anti-CTLA4 immunotherapeutic responses based on immune classification of melanoma. Commun Biol 4(1):383, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33753855.
- Yang J, Lee SJ, Kwon Y, Ma L, Kim J. Tumor suppressive function of Matrin 3 in the basal-like breast cancer. Biol Res 53(1):42, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32977861.
- Zhang Y, Shi J, Liu X, Xiao Z, Lei G, Lee H, Koppula P, Cheng W, Mao C, Zhuang L, Ma L, Li W, Gan B. H2A Monoubiquitination Links Glucose Availability to Epigenetic Regulation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response and Cancer Cell Death. Cancer Res 80(11):2243-2256, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32273282.
- Nguyen TM, Kabotyanski EB, Reineke LC, Shao J, Xiong F, Lee JH, Dubrulle J, Johnson H, Stossi F, Tsoi PS, Choi KJ, Ellis AG, Zhao N, Cao J, Adewunmi O, Ferreon JC, Ferreon ACM, Neilson JR, Mancini MA, Chen X, Kim J, Ma L, Li W, Rosen JM. The SINEB1 element in the long non-coding RNA Malat1 is necessary for TDP-43 proteostasis. Nucleic Acids Res 48(5):2621-2642, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 31863590.
- Lee H, Zandkarimi F, Zhang Y, Meena JK, Kim J, Zhuang L, Tyagi S, Ma L, Westbrook TF, Steinberg GR, Nakada D, Stockwell BR, Gan B. Energy-stress-mediated AMPK activation inhibits ferroptosis. Nat Cell Biol 22(2):225-234, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32029897.
- Xiao Z, Chang L, Kim J, Zhang P, Hang Q, Yap S, Guo Y, Zhou Z, Zeng L, Hu X, Siverly A, Sun Y, Ma L. USP37 is a SNAI1 deubiquitinase. Am J Cancer Res 9(12):2749-2759, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31911859.
- Kim J, Piao HL, Kim BJ, Yao F, Han Z, Wang Y, Xiao Z, Siverly AN, Lawhon SE, Ton BN, Lee H, Zhou Z, Gan B, Nakagawa S, Ellis MJ, Liang H, Hung MC, You MJ, Sun Y, Ma L. Long non-coding RNA MALAT1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis. Nat Genet 50(12):1705-1715, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30349115.
- Yao F, Zhou Z, Kim J, Hang Q, Xiao Z, Ton BN, Chang L, Liu N, Zeng L, Wang W, Wang Y, Zhang P, Hu X, Su X, Liang H, Sun Y, Ma L. SKP2- and OTUD1-regulated non-proteolytic ubiquitination of YAP promotes YAP nuclear localization and activity. Nat Commun 9(1):2269, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29891922.
- Ge Z, Leighton JS, Wang Y, Peng X, Chen Z, Chen H, Sun Y, Yao F, Li J, Zhang H, Liu J, Shriver CD, Hu H, Research Network CGA, Piwnica-Worms H, Ma L, Liang H. Integrated genomic analysis of the ubiquitin pathway across cancer types. Cell Rep 23(1):213-226.e3, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29617661.
- Zhang P, Xiao Z, Wang S, Zhang M, Wei Y, Hang Q, Kim J, Yao F, Rodriguez-Aguayo C, Ton BN, Lee M, Wang Y, Zhou Z, Zeng L, Hu X, Lawhon SE, Siverly AN, Su X, Li J, Xie X, Cheng X, Liu LC, Chang HW, Chiang SF, Lopez-Berestein G, Sood AK, Chen J, You MJ, Sun SC, Liang H, Huang Y, Yang X, Sun D, Sun Y, Hung MC, Ma L. ZRANB1 is an EZH2 deubiquitinase and a potential therapeutic target in breast cancer. Cell Rep 23(3):823-837, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29669287.
- Kim J, Alavi Naini F, Sun Y, Ma L. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 2a (USP2a) deubiquitinates and stabilizes β-catenin. Am J Cancer Res 8(9):1823-1836, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30323974.
- Yuan T, Yang Y, Chen J, Li W, Li W, Zhang Q, Mi Y, Goswami RS, You JQ, Lin D, Qian MD, Calin S, Liang Y, Miranda RN, Calin GA, Zhou X, Ma L, Zweidler-McKay PA, Liu B, Weng AP, Medeiros LJ, Zhang Y, You MJ. Regulation of PI3K signaling in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a novel PTEN/Ikaros/miR-26b mechanism reveals a critical targetable role for PIK3CD. Leukemia 31(11):2355-2364, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28280276.
- Wang L, Zhang P, Molkentine DP, Chen C, Molkentine JM, Piao H, Raju U, Zhang J, Valdecanas DR, Tailor RC, Thames HD, Buchholz TA, Chen J, Ma L, Mason KA, Ang KK, Meyn RE, Skinner HD. TRIP12 as a mediator of human papillomavirus/p16-related radiation enhancement effects. Oncogene 36(6):820-828, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 27425591.
- Zhou Z, Zhang P, Hu X, Kim J, Yao F, Xiao Z, Zeng L, Chang L, Sun Y, Ma L. USP51 promotes deubiquitination and stabilization of ZEB1. Am J Cancer Res 7(10):2020-2031, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29119051.
- Kim J, Siverly AN, Chen D, Wang M, Yuan Y, Wang Y, Lee H, Zhang J, Muller WJ, Liang H, Gan B, Yang X, Sun Y, You MJ, Ma L. Ablation of miR-10b suppresses oncogene-induced mammary tumorigenesis and metastasis and reactivates tumor-suppressive pathways. Cancer Res 76(21):6424-6435, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27569213.
- Fan J, Tea MK, Yang C, Ma L, Meng QH, Hu TY, Singer CF, Ferrari M. Profiling of Cross-Functional Peptidases Regulated Circulating Peptides in BRCA1 Mutant Breast Cancer. J Proteome Res 15(5):1534-45, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27058005.
- Lee H, Dai F, Zhuang L, Xiao ZD, Kim J, Zhang Y, Ma L, You MJ, Wang Z, Gan B. BAF180 regulates cellular senescence and hematopoietic stem cell homeostasis through p21. Oncotarget 7(15):19134-46, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26992241.
- Zhang P, Wei Y, Wang L, Debeb BG, Yuan Y, Zhang J, Yuan J, Wang M, Chen D, Sun Y, Woodward WA, Liu Y, Dean DC, Liang H, Hu Y, Ang KK, Hung MC, Chen J, Ma L. ATM-mediated stabilization of ZEB1 promotes DNA damage response and radioresistance through CHK1. Nat Cell Biol 16(9):864-75, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25086746.
- Piao HL, Yuan Y, Wang M, Sun Y, Liang H, Ma L. α-catenin acts as a tumour suppressor in E-cadherin-negative basal-like breast cancer by inhibiting NF-κB signalling. Nat Cell Biol 16(3):245-54, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24509793.
- Lin A, Piao HL, Zhuang L, Sarbassov dos D, Ma L, Gan B. FoxO transcription factors promote AKT Ser473 phosphorylation and renal tumor growth in response to pharmacological inhibition of the PI3K-AKT pathway. Cancer Res 74(6):1682-93, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24448243.
- Chen D, Sun Y, Yuan Y, Han Z, Zhang P, Zhang J, You MJ, Teruya-Feldstein J, Wang M, Gupta S, Hung MC, Liang H, Ma L. miR-100 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition but suppresses tumorigenesis, migration and invasion. PLoS Genet 10(2):e1004177, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24586203.
- Zhang P, Wang L, Rodriguez-Aguayo C, Yuan Y, Debeb BG, Chen D, Sun Y, You MJ, Liu Y, Dean DC, Woodward WA, Liang H, Yang X, Lopez-Berestein G, Sood AK, Hu Y, Ang KK, Chen J, Ma L. miR-205 acts as a tumour radiosensitizer by targeting ZEB1 and Ubc13. Nat Commun 5:5671, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25476932.
- Zhang J, Zhang P, Wei Y, Piao HL, Wang W, Maddika S, Wang M, Chen D, Sun Y, Hung MC, Chen J, Ma L. Deubiquitylation and stabilization of PTEN by USP13. Nat Cell Biol 15(12):1486-94, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 24270891.
- Chen D, Sun Y, Wei Y, Zhang P, Rezaeian AH, Teruya-Feldstein J, Gupta S, Liang H, Lin HK, Hung MC, Ma L. LIFR is a breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of the Hippo-YAP pathway and a prognostic marker. Nat Med 18(10):1511-7, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 23001183.
- Ma L, Reinhardt F, Pan E, Soutschek J, Bhat B, Marcusson EG, Teruya-Feldstein J, Bell GW, Weinberg RA. Therapeutic silencing of miR-10b inhibits metastasis in a mouse mammary tumor model. Nat Biotechnol 28(4):341-7, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20351690.
- Ma L, Young J, Prabhala H, Pan E, Mestdagh P, Muth D, Teruya-Feldstein J, Reinhardt F, Onder TT, Valastyan S, Westermann F, Speleman F, Vandesompele J, Weinberg RA. miR-9, a MYC/MYCN-activated microRNA, regulates E-cadherin and cancer metastasis. Nat Cell Biol 12(3):247-56, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20173740.
- Distefano G, Boca M, Rowe I, Wodarczyk C, Ma L, Piontek KB, Germino GG, Pandolfi PP, Boletta A. Polycystin-1 regulates extracellular signal-regulated kinase-dependent phosphorylation of tuberin to control cell size through mTOR and its downstream effectors S6K and 4EBP1. Mol Cell Biol 29(9):2359-71, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19255143.
- Carracedo A, Ma L, Teruya-Feldstein J, Rojo F, Salmena L, Alimonti A, Egia A, Sasaki AT, Thomas G, Kozma SC, Papa A, Nardella C, Cantley LC, Baselga J, Pandolfi PP. Inhibition of mTORC1 leads to MAPK pathway activation through a PI3K-dependent feedback loop in human cancer. J Clin Invest 118(9):3065-74, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18725988.
- Ma L, Teruya-Feldstein J, Weinberg RA. Tumour invasion and metastasis initiated by microRNA-10b in breast cancer. Nature 449(7163):682-688, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17898713.
- Ma L, Teruya-Feldstein J, Bonner P, Bernardi R, Franz DN, Witte D, Cordon-Cardo C, Pandolfi PP. Identification of S664 TSC2 phosphorylation as a marker for extracellular signal-regulated kinase mediated mTOR activation in tuberous sclerosis and human cancer. Cancer Research 67(15):7106-7112, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17671177.
- Hernando E, Charytonowicz E, Dudas ME, Menendez S, Matushansky I, Mills J, Socci ND, Behrendt N, Ma L, Maki RG, Pandolfi PP, Cordon-Cardo C. The AKT-mTOR pathway plays a critical role in the development of leiomyosarcomas. Nat Med 13(6):748-753, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17496901.
- Ma L, Teruya-Feldstein J, Behrendt N, Chen Z, Noda T, Hino O, Cordon-Cardo C, Pandolfi PP. Genetic analysis of Pten and Tsc2 functional interactions in the mouse reveals asymmetrical haploinsufficiency in tumor suppression. Genes & Development 19(15):1779-1786, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16027168.
- Ma L, Chen Z, Erdjument-Bromage H, Tempst P, Pandolfi PP. Phosphorylation and functional inactivation of TSC2 by Erk implications for tuberous sclerosis and cancer pathogenesis. Cell 121(2):179-193, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15851026.
- Ruggero D, Montanaro L, Ma L, Xu W, Londei P, Cordon-Cardo C, Pandolfi PP. The translation factor eIF-4E promotes tumor formation and cooperates with c-Myc in lymphomagenesis. Nature Medicine 10(5):484-486, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15098029.
Invited Articles
- Ju Y, Xu D, Liao M, Sun Y, Bao W, Yao F, Ma L. Barriers and opportunities in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy. NPJ Precis Oncol 8(1):199, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39266715.
- Sun Y, Ma L. A milestone in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Nat Cell Biol 26(1):29-30, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38228829.
- Zhao Y, Sheldon M, Sun Y, Ma L. New Insights into YAP/TAZ-TEAD-Mediated Gene Regulation and Biological Processes in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 15(23), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 38067201.
- Lei P, Wang W, Sheldon M, Sun Y, Yao F, Ma L. Role of Glucose Metabolic Reprogramming in Breast Cancer Progression and Drug Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 15(13), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37444501.
- Shen W, Chen Y, Lei P, Sheldon M, Sun Y, Yao F, Ma L. Immunotherapeutic approaches for treating hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 14(20), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36291797.
- Yao F, Zhao Y, Ma L. LIF-ting ferroptosis to improve liver cancer therapy. Genes Dis 9(5):1153-1155, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35873019.
- Yao Y, Shi Y, Gao Z, Sun Y, Yao F, Ma L. Ferroptosis at the crossroads of tumor-host interactions, metastasis, and therapy response. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 323(1):C95-C103, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35613358.
- Chen Y, Zhou D, Yao Y, Sun Y, Yao F, Ma L. Monoubiquitination in Homeostasis and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 23(11), 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35682605.
- Wang L, Fossati P, Paganetti H, Ma L, Gillison M, Myers JN, Hug E, Frank SJ. The Biological Basis for Enhanced Effects of Proton Radiation Therapy Relative to Photon Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Int J Part Ther 8(1):3-13, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34285931.
- Zhao Y, Teng H, Yao F, Yap S, Sun Y, Ma L. Challenges and Strategies in Ascribing Functions to Long Noncoding RNAs. Cancers (Basel) 12(6), 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32503290.
- Yao F, Ma L. piRNA-unbound PIWIL1 promotes metastasis. Nat Cell Biol 22(4):359-360, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32203422.
- Sun Y, Ma L. New insights into long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in cancer and metastasis. Cancers (Basel) 11(2), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30781877.
- Yao F, Xiao Z, Sun Y, Ma L. SKP2 and OTUD1 govern non-proteolytic ubiquitination of YAP that promotes YAP nuclear localization and activity. Cell Stress 2(9):233-235, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 31225491.
- Kirsch DG, Diehn M, Kesarwala AH, Maity A, Morgan MA, Schwarz JK, Bristow R, Demaria S, Eke I, Griffin RJ, Haas-Kogan D, Higgins GS, Kimmelman AC, Kimple RJ, Lombaert IM, Ma L, Marples B, Pajonk F, Park CC, Schaue D, Bernhard EJ. The Future of Radiobiology. J Natl Cancer Inst 110(4):329-340, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29126306.
- Kim J, Yao F, Xiao Z, Sun Y, Ma L. MicroRNAs and metastasis: small RNAs play big roles. Cancer Metastasis Rev 37(1):5-15, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29234933.
- Xiao Z, Zhang P, Ma L. The role of deubiquitinases in breast cancer. Cancer Metastasis Rev 35(4):589-600, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27844253.
- Ma L. Preface. Cancer Metastasis Rev 35(4):493-494, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27858304.
- Sun Y, Ma L. The emerging molecular machinery and therapeutic targets of metastasis. Trends Pharmacol Sci 36(6):349-59, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25939811.
- Zhang P, Sun Y, Ma L. ZEB1: at the crossroads of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis and therapy resistance. Cell Cycle 14(4):0, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25607528.
- Sun Y, Zhang J, Ma L. α-catenin: A tumor suppressor beyond adherens junctions. Cell Cycle 13(15):2334-9, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24988077.
- Ma L. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Sci Transl Med 6(243):243fs25, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24990878.
- Zhang J, Zhang P, Wang L, Piao HL, Ma L. Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 46(1):1-5, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24165275.
- Zhang J, Ma L. MicroRNA control of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 31(3-4):653-62, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22684369.
- Piao HL, Ma L. Non-coding RNAs as regulators of mammary development and breast cancer. J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia 17(1):33-42, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22350981.
- Ma L. Role of miR-10b in breast cancer metastasis. Breast Cancer Res 26(12):210, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 21067538.
- Ma L, Weinberg RA. Micromanagers of malignancy: role of microRNAs in regulating metastasis. Trends Genet 24(9):448-456, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18674843.
- Ma L, Weinberg RA. MicroRNAs in malignant progression. Cell Cycle 7(5):570-572, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18256538.
Book Chapters
- Kim J, Ma L. Capturing Endogenous Long Noncoding RNAs and Their Binding Proteins Using Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification. In: Methods Mol Biol. Springer Nature, 85-92, 2021.
- Ma L. MicroRNA and metastasis. In: Adv Cancer Res. Elsevier, 165-207, 2016.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Exploring the biology and therapeutic targets of bone metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Breast Medical Oncology. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Long noncoding RNA Malat1 protects against osteoporosis and bone metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Cancer Biology & Metastasis Program Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. New insights into regeneration and cancer of the liver. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Decoding lncRNA functions in homeostasis and metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Cancer Biology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. New Insights into Liver Cancer Development and Therapy. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Cancer Biology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Challenges and Strategies in Ascribing Functions to Long Noncoding RNAs in Normal Physiology and Cancer. Conference. MD Anderson Office of the Chief Scientific Officer, Enjoy Science Webinar Series. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. A lncRNA saga in metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Distinguished Lecture in Experimental Therapeutics. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. A surprising role of long non-coding RNA in breast cancer metastasis: Important lessons from studying lncRNA functions in vivo. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Cancer Biology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. A lncRNA saga in metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Breast Cancer Research Program Seminar. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. MicroRNA and Long Non-coding RNA Functions in Tumor Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Conference. MD Anderson, Institute for Applied Cancer Science. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. Determinants of Tumor Progression, Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Cancer Biology. Houston, TX, US.
- 2016. How to Achieve Excellence in Science. Conference. MD Anderson, Postdoctoral Association. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. The Link between Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Metastasis, and Therapy Resistance. Conference. MD Anderson, Radiation Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. MicroRNA regulation of EMT, metastasis and therapy resistance. Conference. MD Anderson, Institutional Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Targeting the LIFR-Hippo-YAP pathway as an anti-metastatic strategy. Conference. MD Anderson, Institutional Grand Rounds. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Experimental Therapeutics Seminar. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Targeting the LIFR-Hippo-YAP pathway as an anti-metastatic strategy. Conference. MD Anderson, Metastasis Research Center Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Conference. MD Anderson, Center for Radiation Oncology Research Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Targeting the LIFR-Hippo-YAP pathway as an anti-metastatic strategy. Conference. MD Anderson, Breast Cancer Research Program Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Celebration of Writing in Science and Medicine. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Scientific Publications. Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Novel determinants of breast cancer metastasis and therapy response. Conference. MD Anderson, Center for Radiation Oncology Research Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. A novel breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Conference. MD Anderson, Breast Cancer Research Program Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Identification of a novel breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Conference. SCBA 26th Annual Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Identification of a microRNA-regulated breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Conference. MD Anderson, RNA Center Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Identification of a novel breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Conference. MD Anderson, Joint Retreat of Radiation Oncology and Center for Biological Pathways. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Identification of a novel breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Conference. MD Anderson, Pediatric Ground Round. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Identification of a novel breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Conference. MD Anderson, Metastasis Research Program Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Regulation of malignant progression by non-coding RNAs and their targets. Conference. UT Houston GSBS, CBP Program Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, RNA Center Retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Grand Round. Houston, TX, US.
- 2011. Micromanagers of metastasis. Conference. MD Anderson, Department of Molecular & Cellular Oncology and Center for Biological Pathways Seminar Series. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2025. Exploring the biology and therapeutic targets of bone metastasis. Invited. Columbus, OH, US.
- 2023. A lncRNA sequesters TEAD3 to suppress osteoporosis and bone metastasis. Invited. 2023 Annual Workshop on YAP/TAZ and TEAD: At the Crossroads of Cancer. Telluride, CO, US.
- 2022. Targeting glucocorticoid receptor to overcome immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer. Invited. SU2C Summer Conference. Aspen, CO, US.
- 2022. A lncRNA sequesters TEAD to suppress breast cancer metastasis. Invited. 2022 Annual Workshop on YAP/TAZ and TEAD: At the Crossroads of Cancer. Virtual, US.
- 2021. Using genetically engineered mouse models to study metastasis and cancer therapy resistance. Invited. 2021 ACACR Virtual Annual Meeting. Virtual.
- 2021. New insights into RNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. Basic Mechanisms of Metastasis Symposium at Columbia University. Virtual.
- 2020. Deubiquitinases as anticancer targets. Invited. SU2C Summer Conference. Virtual.
- 2019. Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis. Invited. Stand Up to Cancer Summit. Santa Monica, CA, US.
- 2017. EZH2 Deubiquitinase as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Invited. Stand Up To Cancer Summit. Santa Monica, CA, US.
- 2016. The Link between Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Metastasis, and Tumor radioresistance. Invited. NCI Workshop on "the Future of Radiobiology". Rockville, MD, US.
- 2015. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Invited. "Models of Cancer" Symposium. East Lansing, MI, US.
- 2014. Targeting the LIFR-Hippo-YAP pathway as an anti-metastatic strategy. Invited. San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2014. Regulation of breast cancer metastasis and radioresistance by microRNAs and their targets: implications for new therapeutic strategies. Invited. Cancer Research Symposium on “ncRNAs in Disease and Cancer”. Houston, TX, US.
- 2014. Regulation of breast cancer radioresistance by microRNAs and their targets: implications for new therapeutic strategies. Invited. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV, US.
- 2013. A novel breast cancer metastasis suppressor upstream of Hippo signaling. Invited. AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2013. LIFR is a breast cancer metastasis suppressor and a therapeutic target. Invited. Nature Research Symposium (hosted by Nature Medicine and Nature Biotechnology). Houston, TX, US.
- 2013. Regulation of breast cancer metastasis and radioresistance by microRNAs and their targets. Invited. Radiation Research Society Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2009. Micromanagers of Metastasis. Invited. MicroRNA in Human Diseases and Development Meeting. Boston, MA, US.
- 2005. Role of TSC2 in Tuberous Sclerosis and Cancer Pathogenesis. Invited. Gordon Research Conference on Cancer: Models and Mechanisms. Smithfield, RI, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. New target against osteoporosis and bone metastasis. Invited. International Conference on Tumor Microenvironment and Cellular Stress. Paphos, CY.
- 2021. New insights into RNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. 18th International Biennial Congress of the Metastasis Research Society. Virtual.
- 2019. New paradigms for lncRNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. International Symposium on Prevention and Treatment for Major Cancers. Taipei, TW.
- 2019. New paradigms for lncRNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. 3rd International Conference on the Long and the Short of Non-Coding RNAs. Chania, GR.
- 2018. A lncRNA saga in metastasis. Invited. 12th CBIS Biennial International Meeting. Shenzhen, CN.
- 2017. Regulation of EMT, Tumor Metastasis, and Radioresistance by MicroRNAs and Their Targets. Invited. 8th International EMT Meeting. Houston, US.
- 2016. Regulation of Tumor Metastasis and Radioresistance by MicroRNAs and Their Targets. Invited. 16th International Biennial Congress of Metastasis Research Society. Chengdu, CN.
- 2015. Targeting the LIFR-Hippo-YAP pathway as an anti-metastatic strategy. Invited. 15th SCBA International Meeting. Taipei, TW.
- 2014. Novel determinants and therapeutic targets in breast cancer. Invited. International Symposium of Translational Theranostics. Shenzhen, CN.
- 2011. MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Metastasis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Invited. 13th SCBA International Meeting. Guangzhou, CN.
- 2008. MicroRNAs in Malignant Progression. Invited. Sixth International RNAi & MicroRNAs Meeting on Biochemistry to Drugs & Therapeutics. Boston, US.
Formal Peers
- 2024. Decoding lncRNA functions in homeostasis and cancer metastasis. College Station, TX, US.
- 2023. Decoding lncRNA functions in homeostasis and metastasis. Invited. Omaha, NE, US.
- 2022. New insights into metastasis and cancer therapy resistance. Invited. Lexington, KY, US.
- 2021. New insights into metastasis and cancer therapy resistance. Invited. Toledo, OH, US.
- 2021. Challenges and Strategies in Ascribing Functions to Long Noncoding RNAs in Normal Physiology and Cancer. Invited. Hershey, PA, US.
- 2020. New insights into RNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2019. New paradigms for RNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. Portland, OR, US.
- 2019. New paradigms for lncRNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. Taichung, TW.
- 2019. New paradigms for RNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2019. New paradigms for lncRNA functions and mechanisms in cancer metastasis. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. A surprising role of long non-coding RNA in breast cancer metastasis. Invited. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2018. A surprising role of long non-coding RNA in breast cancer metastasis. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2017. Non-coding RNA Functions in Tumor Metastasis. Invited. East Lansing, MI, US.
- 2016. Determinants of Tumor Progression, Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Invited. Beijing, CN.
- 2016. Determinants of Tumor Progression, Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Invited. Beijing, CN.
- 2016. Determinants of Tumor Progression, Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Invited. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2016. Determinants of Tumor Progression, Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Invited. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2016. Determinants of Tumor Progression, Metastasis and Therapy Resistance. Invited. Birmingham, AL, US.
- 2015. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Invited. Chicago, IL, US.
- 2015. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Invited. San Diego, CA, US.
- 2015. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2015. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Invited. Singapore, SG.
- 2015. A Journey from a Student to a Cancer Scientist. Invited. Singapore, SG.
- 2014. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Invited. College Station, TX, US.
- 2014. Determinants of breast cancer progression. Visiting. Bethesda, MD, US.
- 2013. Novel determinants of breast cancer metastasis and therapy response. Invited. Mobile, AL, US.
- 2013. Novel determinants of breast cancer metastasis and therapy resistance. Invited. Bronx, NY, US.
- 2012. Regulation of malignant progression by non-coding RNAs and their targets. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Regulation of malignant progression by non-coding RNAs and their targets. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Bar Harbor, ME, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Seattle, WA, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Bethesda, MD, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Chapel Hill, NC, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Cambridge, MA, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Boston, MA, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Baltimore, MD, US.
- 2010. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. New York, NY, US.
- 2009. Micromanagers of metastasis. Invited. Cold Spring Harbor, NY, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - 2028 |
| Title: | MALAT1 protects against osteoporosis and bone metastasis |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | RP250028 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2025 |
| Title: | Bridge funding |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | Bridge Funding |
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | Determine the Role of Histone Methyltransferase ASH1L in Metastatic Prostate Cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | R01CA278889 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2027 |
| Title: | Targeting the LIFR-LCN2 pathway to improve liver cancer therapy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R01CA269140 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified May 28, 2025