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Zhongxing Liao, M.D.

Present Title & Affiliation

Primary Appointment

Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Clinical Medical Director, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX

Bio Statement

My research interests in cancer of the chest include both clinical investigations and translational research questions.

Clinically, I have been focusing my efforts in improving efficacy of chemoradiotherapy for lung and esophageal cancers using molecular targeting strategies.  Together with our group, I have extensively explored the potential of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors in combination with radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy for the past few years.  These clinical studies are an extension of laboratory investigations performed in collaboration with Dr. Luka Milas’s lab in the Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology. Our group was the first to initiate a US-based clinical trial at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center using a selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, in combination with radiotherapy for the treatment of surgically unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).  Currently, we have a phase II study investigating concurrent chemoradiation  and celecoxib for non-small cell lung cancer patients.

In addition to research on COX-2, I am actively involved in several other avenues of research. First, using genetic markers obtained from normal lymphocytes and tumor tissue, our group collaborated with colloquies in molecular epidemiology in searching, in retrospective and prospective studies, for genetic factors that predict tumor response (esophageal cancer) to radio chemotherapy.  The ultimate goal of this research is to be able to tailor individual patient treatment for cancer of the esophagus. Normal tissue toxicity  after concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy is a dose limiting and sometimes fatal toxicity of cancer treatment.  Our group has been actively investigating factors that would put patient on high risk for complication.  Our group has identified critical predictive factors that were associated with treatment complication.  Methods to reduce the toxicity have been developed.   

Second, our group has developed a prospective clinical trial using CT/PET and Feed-back Guided Breath Hold for the treatment of esophageal cancer.  These techniques are aimed at better definition of target volume and more accurate delivery of radiation. 

Third, collaborating with my colleagues from the department of integrative medicine, I serve as a Co-PI on a clinical research in traditional Chinese Medicine, supported by a R21 grant. The aim of this research is to establish international collaboration in assessing the role of complimentary and alternative medicine in cancer patient care. This trial was so successful that NCI has awarded this group a U-19 grant where I serve as Co-PI (PI – Dr. L. Cohen).

Finally, with the development of our proton center, I have developed a clinical trial for patients with the cancer of the esophagus that cannot be surgically removed.  This new modality will offer the benefit of reduced toxicity.

Education & Training

Degree-Granting Education

1982 Hunan Medical University, Changsha, Hunan, China, MD, Medicine

Postgraduate Training

7/1995-6/1999 Clinical Residency, Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Dr. Alan Pollack
7/1994-6/1995 Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, Dr. Garnold Minns
10/1993-6/1994 Clinical Fellowship, Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Dr. Patricia Eifel
3/1989-9/1993 Research Fellowship, Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, Dr. Elizabeth Travis

Board Certifications

6/1999 American Board of Radiology - Radiation Oncology

Experience/Service

Institutional Committee Activities

Member, Data Safety Monitoring Board, 9/2008-present
Member, Harris County Health District (HCHD/MDACC) Joint Operation Committee, 1/2007-present
Member, Uncompensated Care Advisory Committee, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1/2007-present
Member, The Executive Committee for Medical Staff, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1/2007-present
Member, MDACC/HCHD Quarterly Administrative/Medical Advisory Committee, 1/2007-present
Member, IRB Data Monitoring Committee, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1/2005-present
Member, Steering Committee for China, Extramural Program, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 6/2004-present
Member, Asia Task Force, Extramural Program, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 7/1999-present

Professional Memberships

American Association for Women Radiologists, Houston, TX
Chair, Public Relations Committee, 1/2008-present
American Association of Women Radiologist, Houston, TX
Finance Committee, 11/2008-present
American Association of Women Radiologist, Houston
President-Elect, 11/2008-present
American Association of Women Radiologist
Bylaw Committee, 11/2003-present
American Association of Women Radiologist
Nomination Committee, 11/2003-present
American College of Radiology
Member, 1999-present
American Medical Association
Member, 1999-present
American Radium Society
Scientific Program Committee, 5/2007-present
American Radium Society, Houston, TX
Member, 1999-present
American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
Membership Committee of the Board of Directors, 10/2006-present
American Society of Clinical Oncology
Member, 1999-present
Gilbert H. Fletcher Society, Houston, TX
Secretary, 7/2007-present
Gilbert H. Fletcher Society, Houston, TX
Treasury, 7/2007-present
Gilbert H. Fletcher Society
Member, 1999-present
Harris County Medical Society
Member, 1999-present
International Association for Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)
Member, 1999-present
Texas Radiology Society
Member, 1999-present

Selected Publications

Peer-Reviewed Original Research Articles
1. Cen P, Correa AM, Lee JH, Maru D, Anandasabapathy S, Liao Z, Hofstetter WL, Swisher SG, Komaki R, Ross WA, Vaporciyan A, Ajani JA. Adenocarcinoma of the lower esophagus with barrett's esophagus or without barrett's esophagus: Differences in patients survival after preoperative chemoradiation. Dis Esophagus 22(1):32-41, 11/2009. PMID: 19021684.
2. Javeri H, Xiao L, Rohren E, Lee JH, Liao Z, Hofstetter W, Maru D, Bhutani MS, Swisher SG, Macapinlac H, Wang X, Ajani JA. Higher the decrease in the standardized uptake value of positron emission tomography after chemoradiation better the survival of patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. Cancer. e-Pub 8/2009.
3. McGovern SL, Liao Z, Bucci MK, McAleer MF, Jeter MD, Chang JY, O'Reilly MS, Cox JD, Allen PK, Komaki R. Is sex associated with the outcome of patients treated with radiation for nonsmall cell lung cancer? Cancer 115(14):3233-3242, 7/2009. PMID: 19472405.
4. Zhang Z, Chen Y, Chen YZ, Jeter M, Hofstetter WL, Ajani J, Swisher SG, Chang JY, Guerrero TM, Allen PK, Cox JD, Komaki R, Liao ZX. Outcomes with esophageal cancer radiation therapy. J Thor Oncol 4(7):880-888, 7/2009. PMID: 19458557.
5. Yuan X, Liao Z, Liu Z, Wang LE, Tucker SL, Mao L, Wang XS, Martel M, Komaki R, Cox JD, Milas L, Wei Q. Single nucleotide polymorphism at rs1982073:T869C of the TGF{beta}1 gene is associated with the risk of radiation pneumonitis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy. J Clin Oncol 27(20):3370-3378, 7/2009. PMID: 19380441.
6. Jin H, Tucker SL, Liu HH, Wei X, Yom SS, Wang S, Komaki R, Chen Y, Martel MK, Mohan R, Cox JD, Liao Z. Dose-volume thresholds and smoking status for the risk of treatment-related pneumonitis in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol 91(3):427-432, 6/2009. PMID: 18937989.
7. Liao ZX, Komaki RR, Thames HD, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Mohan R, Martel MK, Wei X, Yang K, Kim ES, Blumenschein G, Hong WK, Cox JD. Influence of technologic advances on outcomes in patients with unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer receiving concomitant chemoradiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. e-Pub 6/2009. PMID: 19515503.
8. Smith GL, Smith BD, Buchholz TA, Liao Z, Jeter M, Swisher SG, Hofstetter WL, Ajani JA, McAleer MF, Komaki R, Cox JD. Patterns of care and locoregional treatment outcomes in older esophageal cancer patients: The SEER-Medicare Cohort. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 74(2):482-489, 6/2009. PMID: 19289262.
9. Gayed I, Gohar S, Liao Z, McAleer M, Bassett R, Yusuf SW. The clinical implications of myocardial perfusion abnormalities in patients with esophageal or lung cancer after chemoradiation therapy. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 25(5):487-495, 6/2009. PMID: 19234869.
10. Pan X, Zhang X, Li Y, Mohan R, Liao Z. Impact of using different 4D CT data sets to design proton treatment plans for distal esophageal cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 73(2):601-609, 2/2009. PMID: 19147024.
11. Gayed IW, Liu HH, Wei X, Liao Z, Yusuf SW, Chang JY, Bassett R, Komaki R. Patterns of cardiac perfusion abnormalities after chemoradiotherapy in patients with lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 4(2):179-184, 2/2009. PMID: 19179893.
12. Zinner RG, Komaki R, Cox JD, Glisson BS, Pisters KM, Herbst RS, Kies M, Liao Z, Hong WK, Fossella FV. Dose escalation of gemcitabine is possible with concurrent chest three-dimensional rather than two-dimensional radiotherapy: a phase I trial in patients with stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 73(1):119-127, 1/2009. PMID: 18556142.
13. Chang JY, Balter PA, Dong L, Yang Q, Liao ZX, Jeter M, Bucci MK, McAleer MF, Mehran RJ, Roth JA, Komaki R. Stereotactic body radiation therapy in centrally and superiorly located stage I or isolated recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 72(4):967-971, 11/2008. PMID: 18954709.
14. Izzo JG, Wu X, Wu TT, Huang P, Lee JS, Liao Z, Lee JH, Bhutani MS, Hofstetter W, Maru D, Hung MC, Ajani JA. Therapy-induced expression of NF-kappaB portends poor prognosis in patients with localized esophageal cancer undergoing preoperative chemoradiation. Dis Esophagus 22(2). e-Pub 11/2008. PMID: 19021681.
15. Tucker SL, Liu HH, Liao Z, Wei X, Wang S, Jin H, Komaki R, Martel MK, Mohan R. Analysis of radiation pneumonitis risk using a generalized Lyman model. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 72(2):568-574, 10/2008. PMID: 18793959.
16. Zhang X, Zhao KL, Guerrero TM, McGuire SE, Yaremko B, Komaki R, Cox JD, Hui Z, Li Y, Newhauser WD, Mohan R, Liao Z. Four-dimensional computed tomography-based treatment planning for intensity-modulated radiation therapy and proton therapy for distal esophageal cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 72(1):278-287, 9/2008. PMCID: PMC2610812.
17. Javeri H, Arora R, Correa AM, Hofstetter WL, Lee JH, Liao Z, McAleer MF, Maru D, Bhutani MS, Swisher SG, Izzo JG, Ajani JA. Influence of induction chemotherapy and class of cytotoxics on pathologic response and survival after preoperative chemoradiation in patients with carcinoma of the esophagus. Cancer 113(6):1302-1308, 9/2008. PMID: 18623381.
18. Gayed IW, Chang J, Kim EE, Nuñez R, Chasen B, Liu HH, Kobayashi K, Zhang Y, Liao Z, Gohar S, Jeter M, Henderson L, Erwin W, Komaki R. Lung perfusion imaging can risk stratify lung cancer patients for the development of pulmonary complications after chemoradiation. J Thorac Oncol 3(8):858-864, 8/2008.
19. Chi PC, Mawlawi O, Luo D, Liao Z, Macapinlac HA, Pan T. Effects of respiration-averaged computed tomography on positron emission tomography/computed tomography quantification and its potential impact on gross tumor volume delineation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 71(3):890-899, 7/2008. PMID: 18514781.
20. Ajani JA, Winter K, Komaki R, Kelsen DP, Minsky BD, Liao Z, Bradley J, Fromm M, Hornback D, Willett CG. Phase II randomized trial of two nonoperative regimens of induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation in patients with localized carcinoma of the esophagus: RTOG 0113. J Clin Oncol 26(28):4551-4556, 6/2008. e-Pub 6/2008. PMID: 18574157.
21. Wang S, Liao Z, Wei Xiong, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Hu C, Ajani JA, Phan A, Swisher SG, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki R. Association between systemic chemotherapy prior to chemoradiation and increased risk of treatment related pneumonitis in esophageal cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiotheray. J Thorac Oncol 3(3):277-282, 3/2008.
22. Wei X, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Wangs, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki R, Liao Z. Risk factors for pericardial effusion in inoperable esophageal cancer patients treated with definitive chemoradiation therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 70(3):707-714, 3/2008. PMID: 18191334.
23. Chang JY, Dong L, Liu H, Starkschall G, Balter P, Mohan R, Liao Z, Cox JD, Komaki R. Image-Guided radiation therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. J Thorac Oncol 3(2):177-186, 2/2008. PMID: 18303441.
24. Yaremko BP, Guerrero TM, McAleer MF, Bucci MK, Martinez JN, Nguyen LT, Balter PA, Guerra R, Komaki R, Liao Z. Determination of respiratory motion for distal esophagus cancer using four-dimensional computed tomography. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 70(1):145-153, 1/2008. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17855008.
25. Rice DC, Stevens CW, Correa AM, Vaporciyan AA, Tsao A, Forster KM, Walsh GL, Swisher SG, Hofstetter WL, Mehran RJ, Roth JA, Liao Z, Smythe WR. Outcomes after extrapleural pneumonectomy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Ann Thorac Surg 84(5):1685-1692; discussion 1692-1693, 11/2007. PMID: 17954086.
26. Rice DC, Smythe WR, Liao Z, Guerrero T, Chang JY, McAleer MF, Jeter MD, Correa A, Vaporciyan AA, Liu HH, Komaki R, Forster KM, Stevens CW. Dose-dependent pulmonary toxicity after postoperative intensity-modulated radiotherapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 69(2):350-357, 10/2007. PMID: 17467922.
27. Zhao KL, Liao Z, Bucci MK, Komaki R, Cox JD, Yu ZH, Zhang L, Mohan R, Dong L. Evaluation of respiratory-induced target motion for esophageal tumors at the gastroesophageal junction. Radiother Oncol 84(3):283-289, 9/2007. e-Pub 8/2007. PMID: 17716759.
28. Shioyama Y, Jang SY, Liu HH, Guerrero T, Wang X, Gayed IW, Erwin WD, Liao Z, Chang JY, Jeter M, Yaremko BP, Borghero YO, Cox JD, Komaki R, Mohan R. Preserving functional lung using perfusion imaging and intensity-modulated radiation therapy for advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 68(5):1349-1358, 8/2007. PMID: 17446001.
29. Hofstetter W, Correa AM, Bekele N, Ajani JA, Phan A, Komaki RR, Liao Z, Maru D, Wu TT, Mehran RJ, Rice DC, Roth JA, Vaporciyan AA, Walsh GL, Francis A, Blackmon S, Swisher SG. Proposed modification of nodal status in AJCC esophageal cancer staging system. Ann Thorac Surg 84(2):365-373; discussion 374-375, 8/2007. PMID: 17643602.
30. Huang EH, Liao Z, Cox JD, Guerrero TM, Chang JY, Jeter M, Borghero Y, Wei X, Fossella F, Herbst RS, Blumenschein GR, Moran C, Allen PK, Komaki R. Comparison of outcomes for patients with unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation vs. concurrent chemoradiation alone. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 68(3):779-785, 7/2007. PMID: 17418967.
31. Guerrero T, Johnson V, Hart J, Pan T, Khan M, Luo D, Liao Z, Ajani J, Stevens C, Komaki R. Radiation pneumonitis: local dose versus [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake response in irradiated lung. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 68(4):1030-1035, 7/2007. PMID: 17398033.
32. Liu HH, Balter P, Tutt T, Choi B, Zhang J, Wang C, Chi M, Luo D, Pan T, Hunjan S, Starkschall G, Rosen I, Prado K, Liao Z, Chang J, Komaki R, Cox JD, Mohan R, Dong L. Assessing respiration-induced tumor motion and internal target volume using four-dimensional computed tomography for radiotherapy of lung cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 68(2):531-540, 6/2007. PMID: 17398035.
33. Davidson SE, Ibbott GS, Prado KL, Dong L, Liao Z, Followill DS. Accuracy of two heterogeneity dose calculation algorithms for IMRT in treatment plans designed using an anthropomorphic thorax phantom. Med Phys 34(5):1850-1857, 5/2007. PMID: 17555266.
34. Yom SS, Liao Z, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Hu CS, Wei X, Wang X, Wang S, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki R. Initial evaluation of treatment-related pneumonitis in advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 68(1):94-102, 5/2007. PMID: 17321067.
35. Kang Y, Zhang X, Chang JY, Wang H, Wei X, Liao Z, Komaki R, Cox JD, Balter PA, Liu H, Zhu XR, Mohan R, Dong L. 4D Proton treatment planning strategy for mobile lung tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 67(3):906-914, 3/2007. PMID: 17293240.
36. Wang S, Liao Z, Wei X, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Hu CS, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki. Analysis of clinical and dosimetric factors associated with treatment-related pneumonitis (TRP) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with concurrent chemotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 66(5):1399-1407, 12/2006.
37. Tucker SL, Liu HH, Wang S, Wei X, Liao Z, Komaki R, Cox JD, Mohan R. Dose-volume modeling of the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications among esophageal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 66(3):754-761, 11/2006. e-Pub 9/2006. PMID: 16965865.
38. Sims-Mourtada J, Izzo JG, Apisarnthanarax S, Wu TT, Malhotra U, Luthra R, Liao Z, Komaki R, van der Kogel A, Ajani J, Chao KS. Hedgehog: an attribute to tumor regrowth after chemoradiotherapy and a target to improve radiation response. Clin Cancer Res 12(21):6565-6572, 11/2006. PMID: 17085672.
39. Izzo JG, Correa AM, Wu TT, Malhotra U, Chao CK, Luthra R, Ensor J, Dekovich A, Liao Z, Hittelman WN, Aggarwal BB, Ajani JA. Pretherapy nuclear factor-kappaB status, chemoradiation resistance, and metastatic progression in esophageal carcinoma. Mol Cancer Ther 5(11):2844-2850, 11/2006. PMID: 17121931.
40. Hui Z, Li Y, Yu Z, Liao Z. Survey on use of postmastectomy radiotherapy for breast cancer in China. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 66(4):1135-1142, 11/2006.
41. Gayed IW, Liu HH, Yusuf SW, Komaki R, Wei X, Wang X, Chang JY, Swafford J, Broemeling L, Liao Z. The prevalence of myocardial ischemia after concurrent chemoradiation therapy as detected by gated myocardial perfusion imaging in patients with esophageal cancer. J Nucl Med 47(11):1756-1762, 11/2006. PMID: 17079807.
42. Pan T, Mawlawi O, Luo D, Liu HH, Chi PC, Mar MV, Gladish G, Truong M, Erasmus J, Liao Z, Macapinlac HA. Attenuation correction of PET cardiac data with low-dose average CT in PET/CT. Med Phys 33(10):3931-3938, 10/2006. PMID: 17089855.
43. Wang SL, Liao Z, Liu H, Ajani J, Swisher S, Cox JD, Komaki R. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy for locally advanced cervical and upper thoracic esophageal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 12(34):5501-5508, 9/2006. PMID: 17006988.
44. Wang XS, Fairclough DL, Liao Z, Komaki R, Chang JY, Mobley GM, Cleeland CS. Longitudinal study of the relationship between chemoradiation therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer and patient symptoms. J Clin Oncol 24(27):4485-4491, 9/2006. PMID: 16983118.
45. Wei X, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Liao Z, Hu C, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki R. Risk factors for acute esophagitis in non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with concurrent chemotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 66(1):100-107, 9/2006. e-Pub 7/2006. PMID: 16839700.
46. Wu X, Gu J, Wu TT, Swisher SG, Liao Z, Correa AM, Liu J, Etzel CJ, Amos CI, Huang M, Chiang SS, Milas L, Hittelman WN, Ajani JA. Genetic variations in radiation and chemotherapy drug action pathways predict clinical outcomes in esophageal cancer. J Clin Oncol 24(23):3789-3798, 8/2006. PMID: 16785472.
47. Erasmus JJ, Munden RF, Truong MT, Ho JJ, Hofstetter WL, Macapinlac HA, Correa AM, Wu TT, Bruzzi JF, Marom EM, Sabloff BS, Ajani JA, Komaki R, Liao Z, Lee JH, Fukami N, Bresalier R, Swisher SG. Preoperative chemo-radiation-induced ulceration in patients with esophageal cancer: a confounding factor in tumor response assessment in integrated computed tomographic-positron emission tomographic imaging. J Thorac Oncol 1(5):478-486, 6/2006. PMID: 17409902.
48. Hu C, Chang EL, Hassenbusch SJ, Allen PK, Woo SY, Mahajan A, Komaki R, Liao Z. Non-small cell lung cancer presenting with synchronous solitary brain metastasis. Cancer 106(9):1998-2004, 5/2006.
49. Wang S, Liao Z, Chen Y, Chang JY, Jeter M, Guerrero T, Ajani A, Phan A, Swisher S, Allen P, Cox JD, Komaki R. Esophageal cancer located at neck and upper thorax treated with concurrent chemoradiation - a single institutional experience at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. J Thorac Oncol 1(3):252-259, 3/2006.
50. Wang SL, Liao Z, Vaporciyan AA, Tucker SL, Liu HH, Wei X, Swisher S, Ajani JA, Cox JD, Komaki R. Investigation of clinical and dosimetric factors associated with posoperative pulmonary complications in esophageal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 64(3):692-699, 3/2006.
51. Liao Z, Liu H, Swisher SG, Wang L, Wu TT, Correa AM, Roth JA, Cox JD, Komaki R, Ajani JA, Wei Q. Polymorphism at the 3'-UTR of the thymidylate synthase gene: a potential predictor for outcomes in Caucasian patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiation. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 64(3):700-708, 3/2006. PMID: 16242255.
52. Gu Y, Swisher SG, Ajani JA, Correa AM, Hofstetter WL, Liao Z, Komaki R, Rashid A, Hamilton SR, Wu T. The number of lymph nodes with metastasis predicts survival in patients with esophageal or esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma treated with preoperative chemoradiation. Cancer 106(5):1017-1025, 3/2006.
53. Izzo JG, Malhotra U, Wu TT, Ensor J, Luthra R, Lee JH, Swisher SG, Liao Z, Chao KS, Hittelman WN, Aggarwal BB, Ajani JA. Association of activated transcription factor nuclear factor kappab with chemoradiation resistance and poor outcome in esophageal carcinoma. J Clin Oncol 24(5):748-754, 2/2006. PMID: 16401681.
54. Rohatgi PR, Swisher SG, Correa AM, Wu TT, Liao Z, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Vaporciyan AA, Rice DC, Bresalier RS, Roth JA, Ajani JA. Histologic subtypes as determinants of outcome in esophageal carcinoma patients with pathologic complete response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Cancer 106(3):552-558, 2/2006. PMID: 16353210.
55. Malaisrie SC, Hofstetter WL, Correa AM, Ajani JA, Komaki R, Liao Z, Phan A, Rice DC, Vaporciayan AA, Walsh Gl, Lahoti S, Lee JH, Bresalier R, Roth JA, Swisher SG. Endoscopic ultrasonography-indentified celiac adenopathy remains a poor prognostic factor despite preoperative chemoradiotherapy in esophageal adenocarcinoma. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 131(1):65-72, 1/2006.
56. Rohatgi PR, Correa AM, Swisher SG, Wu TT, Liao Z, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Vaporciyan AA, Lee JH, Rice DC, Roth JA, Ajani JA. Gender-based analysis of esophageal cancer patients undergoing preoperative chemoradiation: differences in presentation and therapy outcome. Dis Esophagus 19(3):152-157, 2006. PMID: 16722991.
57. Rohatgi P, Swisher SG, Correa AM, Wu TT, Liao Z, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Vaporciyan AA, Rice DC, Roth JA, Ajani JA. Characterization of pathologic complete response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy in carcinoma of the esophagus and outcome after pathologic complete response. Cancer 104(11):2365-2372, 12/2005.
58. Liu HH, Guerrero T, Liao Z, Tucker S, Wang X, Bonnen M, Chang JY, Jeter MD, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki R, Stevens C, Chandra A. Feasibility of using intensity-modulated radiotherapy to improve lung sparing in treatment planning for distal esophageal cancer. Radiother Oncol 77(3):247-253, 12/2005.
59. Chandra A, Guerrero TM, Liu HH, Tucker SL, Liao Z, Wang X, Murshed H, Bonnen MD, Garg AK, Stevens CW, Chang JY, Jeter MD, Mohan R, Cox JD, Komaki R. Feasibility of using intensity-modulated radiotherapy to improve lung sparing in treatment planning for distal esophageal cancer. Radiother Oncol 77(3):247-253, 11/2005.
60. Rohatgi P, Swisher SG, Correa AM, Wu TT, Liao Z, Komaki R, Walsh GL, Vaporciyan AA, Lynch PM, Rice DC, Roth JA, Ajaini JA. Failure patterns correlate with the proportion of residual carcinoma after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for carcinoma of the esophagus. Cancer 104(7):1349-1355, 10/2005.
61. Wang SL, Liao ZX, Liu XF, Yu ZH, Gu DZ, Qian TN, Song YW, Jin J, Wang WH, Li YX. Primary early-stage intestinal and colonic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: clinical features, management, and outcome of 37 patients. World J Gastroenterol 11(37):5905-5909, 10/2005. PMID: 16270408.
62. Hong D, Lunagomez S, Kim EE, Lee JH, Bresalier RS, Swisher SG, Wu T-T, Morris J, Liao Z, Komaki R, Ajani JA. Value of baseline positron emission tomography for predicting overall survival in patients with non-metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma. Cancer 104(8):1620-1626, 10/2005.
63. Pan T, Mawlawi O, Nehmeh SA, Erdi YE, Luo D, Liy HH, Castillo R, Mohan R, Liao Z, Macapinlac HA. Attenuation correction of PET images with respiration-averaged CT images in PET/CT. J Nucl Med 46(9):1481-1487, 9/2005.
64. Zhu XR, Prado K, Liu HH, Guerrero T, Jeter M, Liao Z, Rice D, Foster K, Stevens CW. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for mesothelioma: impact of multileaf collimator leaf width and pencil beam size on planning quality and delivery efficiency. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 62(5):1525-1534, 8/2005.
65. Swisher SG, Hofstetter W, Wu TT, Correa AM, Ajani JA, Komaki R, Chirieac L, Hunt KK, Liao Z, Phan A, Rice DC, Vaporciyan AA, Walsh GL, Roth JA. Proposed revision of the esophageal cancer staging system to accommodate pathologic response (pP) following preoperative chemoradiation (CRT). Ann Surg 241(5):810-817; 817-820, 5/2005.
66. Chang JY, Komaki R, Sasaki R, Liao Z, Stevens CW, Lu C, Fossella FV, Allen PK, Cox JD, Spitz MR, Wu X. High mutagen sensitivity in peripheral blood lymphocytes predicts poor overall and disease-specific survival in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Clin Cancer Res 11(8):2894-2898, 4/2005.
67. Zhang Z, Liao Z, Jin J, Ajani J, Chang JY, Jeter M, Guerrero T, Stevens CW, Swisher S, Ho L, Yao J, Allen P, Cox JD, Komaki R. Dose-response relationship in locoregional control for patients with stage II-III esophageal cancer treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 61(3):656-664, 3/2005.
68. Rosen I, Liu H, Childress N, Liao Z. Interactively exploring optimized treatment plans. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 61(2):570-582, 2/2005.
69. Rohatgi PR, Swisher SG, Correa AM, Wu TT, Liao Z, Walsh GL, Vaporciyan AA, Rice DC, Fukami N, Roth JA, Ajani JA. Comparison of clinical stage, therapy response, and patient outcome between squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Int J Gastrointest Cancer 36(2):69-76, 2005. PMID: 16648656.

Invited Articles
1. Liao ZX, Mason KA, Milas L. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 and its inhibition in cancer: is there a role? Drugs 67:821-845, 2007.
2. Liao ZX, Cox JD, Komaki R. Radiochemotherapy of esophageal cancer. J Thorac Oncol 2:553-568, 2007.
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Last updated: 9/23/2009