Xiangsheng Zuo, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Xiangsheng Zuo
Xiangsheng Zuo, MD, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology, focusing on the molecular and epigenetic mechanisms driving gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers. Leveraging patient-derived models, functional genomics, and translational platforms, she leads research on tumor progression, metastasis, tumor–microenvironment interactions, and epigenetic regulation. Dr. Zuo also co-leads a multidisciplinary team that has successfully established and characterized innovative patient-derived models of slow-growing, well-differentiated gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, applying them to investigate tumor biology, progression, and therapeutic responses, including large-scale drug library screening.
Present Title & Affiliation
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2001 | Shanghai Jiao-Tong University Medical School, Shanghai, CN, Internal Medicine (specialized in Endocrinology), Ph.D |
| 1990 | Anhui Medical University, Anhui, CN, Pathophysiology, M.S |
| 1987 | Bengbu Medical University, Anhui, CN, Medicine, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2002-2006 | Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Gastrointestinal (GI) Medical Oncology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2023
Assistant Professor, Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2011
Instructor, Clinical Cancer Prevention, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2010
Honors & Awards
| 2022 | MD Anderson Research Highlights, 06/2022, MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2007 | Grant award, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation |
| 2007 | Poster Award, Division of Cancer Prevention & Population Sciences, The University of Texas M.D. Cancer Center |
| 2001 | Excellent Student Scholarship, Shanghai Jiao-Tong University Medical School |
| 1983 - 1987 | Outstanding Medical Student Scholarship (1st place), Bengbu Medical College, Anhui, China, Class rank: 1/240 |
Professional Memberships
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - 2028 |
| Title: | Innovative in vitro and in vivo patient-derived cancer models to advance precision medicine in G1/G2 GEP-NETs |
| Funding Source: | The state of Texas |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | RP250247 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2029 |
| Title: | PPARD hyperactivation promotes pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia progression into pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Subrecipient Principal Investigator |
| ID: | R01CA273732 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2026 |
| Title: | ALOX15 regulation of colon cancer invasiveness via PI3P-linoleic acid metabolism |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Subrecipient Principal Investigator |
| ID: | 1R01CA266223 |
| Date: | 2021 - 2026 |
| Title: | Molecular understanding and targeting of determinant factors in gastric tumorigenesis |
| Funding Source: | National Institutes of Health – NIH |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 1R01CA23905 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Zuo X, Kiyasu Y, Liu Y, Deguchi Y, Liu F, Moussalli M, Tan L, Wei B, Wei D, Yang P, Shureiqi I. Colorectal ALOX15 as a host factor determining the effects of EPA and DHA on colorectal tumorigenesis in mice. CMGH 19(12):101607, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40818741.
- Zuo X, Wang L, Liu Y, Wang H, Hafley M, Gagea M, Chen R, Xiong Y, Pan S, Shureiqi I, Bresalier RS, Wei D. Dysregulated KLF4 expression plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms. Gut, 2025. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38969489.
- Zuo X, Kiyasu Y, Liu Y, Deguchi Y, Liu F, Moussalli M, Tan L, Wei B, Wei D, Yang P, Shureiqi I. Colorectal ALOX15 as a host factor determinant of EPA and DHA effects on colorectal carcinogenesis. bioRxiv, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38746303.
- Yao Y, Shen Y, Yao JC, Zuo X. Editorial: New advancement in tumor microenvironment remodeling and cancer therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 12:1384567, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38516127.
- Liu Y, Wei D, Deguchi Y, Xu W, Tian R, Liu F, Xu M, Mao F, Li D, Chen W, Valentin LA, Deguchi E, Yao JC, Shureiqi I, Zuo X. PPARδ dysregulation of CCL20/CCR6 axis promotes gastric adenocarcinoma carcinogenesis by remodeling gastric tumor microenvironment. Gastric Cancer 26(6):904-917, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37572185.
- Wei D, Wang L, Zuo X, Maitra A, Bresalier RS. A small molecule with big impact: MRTX1133 targets the KRASG12D mutation in pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37831007.
- Wei D, Wang L, Liu Y, Hafley MA, Tan L, Lorenzi PL, Yang P, Zuo X, Bresalier RS. Activation of Vitamin D/VDR Signaling Reverses Gemcitabine Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Through Inhibition of MUC1 Expression. Dig Dis Sci 68(7):3043-3058, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37071246.
- Wang H, Moniruzzaman R, Li L, Ji B, Liu Y, Zuo X, Abbasgholizadeh R, Zhao J, Liu G, Wang R, Tang H, Sun R, Su X, Tan TH, Maitra A, Wang H. Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 inhibits the development and progression of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia. J Clin Invest 133(12), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37140994.
- Liu Y, Deguchi Y, Wei D, Liu F, Moussalli MJ, Deguchi E, Li D, Wang H, Valentin LA, Colby JK, Wang J, Zheng X, Ying H, Gagea M, Ji B, Shi J, Yao JC, Zuo X, Shureiqi I. Rapid acceleration of KRAS-mutant pancreatic carcinogenesis via remodeling of tumor immune microenvironment by PPARδ. Nat Commun 13(1):2665, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35562376.
- Yang P, Zuo X, Advani S, Wei B, Malek J, Day RS, Shureiqi I. Celecoxib Colorectal Bioavailability and Chemopreventive Response in Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Patients. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 15(4):217-223, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34610992.
- Kapalczynska M, Lin M, Maertzdorf J, Heuberger J, Muellerke S, Zuo X, Vidal R, Shureiqi I, Fischer AS, Sauer S, Berger H, Kidess E, Mollenkopf H, Tacke F, Meyer TF, Sigal M. BMP feed-forward loop promotes terminal differentiation in gastric glands and is interrupted by H. pylori-driven inflammation. Nature Communications 13(1):1577, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35332152.
- Pudakalakatti S, Titus M, Enriquez JS, Ramachandran S, Zacharias NM, Shureiqi I, Liu Y, Yao JC, Zuo X, Bhattacharya PK. Identifying the Metabolic Signatures of PPARD-Overexpressing Gastric Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 23(3):1645, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35163565.
- Liu F, Zuo X, Liu Y, Deguchi Y, Moussalli MJ, Chen W, Yang P, Wei B, Tan L, Lorenzi PL, Gao S, Jaoude JC, Mehdizadeh A, Valentin LA, Wei D, Shureiqi I. Suppression of Membranous LRP5 Recycling, Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling, and Colon Carcinogenesis by 15-LOX-1 Peroxidation of Linoleic Acid in PI3P. Cell Rep 32(7):108049, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32814052.
- Zuo X, Deguchi Y, Xu W, Liu Y, Li HS, Wei D, Tian R, Chen W, Xu M, Yang Y, Gao S, Jaoude JC, Liu F, Chrieki SP, Moussalli MJ, Gagea M, Sebastian MM, Zheng X, Tan D, Broaddus R, Wang J, Ajami NJ, Swennes AG, Watowich SS, Shureiqi I. PPARD and interferon gamma promote transformation of gastric progenitor cells and tumorigenesis in mice. Gastroenterology 157(1):163-178, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30885780.
- Liu Y, Deguchi Y, Tian R, Wei D, Wu L, Chen W, Xu W, Xu M, Liu F, Gao S, Jaoude JC, Chrieki SP, Moussalli MJ, Gagea M, Morris JS, Broaddus R, Zuo X, Shureiqi I. Pleotropic effects of PPARD accelerate colorectal tumorigenesis, progression, and invasion. Cancer Res 79(5):954-969, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30679176.
- Wang L, Zuo X, Xie K, Wei D. The Role of CD44 and Cancer Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 1692:31-42, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 28986884.
- Tian R, Zuo X, Jaoude J, Mao F, Colby J, Shureiqi I. ALOX15 as a suppressor of inflammation and cancer: Lost in the link. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 132:132:77-83, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28089732.
- Xie VK, Li Z, Yan Y, Jia Z, Zuo X, Ju Z, Wang J, Du J, Xie D, Xie K, Wei D. DNA-Methyltransferase 1 Induces Dedifferentiation of Pancreatic Cancer Cells through Silencing of Krüppel-Like Factor 4 Expression. Clin Cancer Res 23(18):5585-5597, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28659310.
- Zuo X, Xu W, Xu M, Tian R, Moussalli MJ, Mao F, Zheng X, Wang J, Morris JS, Gagea M, Eng C, Kopetz S, Maru DM, Rashid A, Broaddus R, Wei D, Hung MC, Sood AK, Shureiqi I. Metastasis regulation by PPARD expression in cancer cells. JCI Insight 12(1):e91419. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.91419, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28097239.
- Yan Y, Li Z, Kong X, Jia Z, Zuo X, Gagea M, Huang S, Wei D, Xie K. KLF4-Mediated Suppression of CD44 Signaling Negatively Impacts Pancreatic Cancer Stemness and Metastasis. Cancer Res 76(8):2419-31, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26880805.
- Wei D, Wang L, Yan Y, Jia Z, Gagea M, Li Z, Zuo X, Kong X, Huang S, Xie K. KLF4 Is Essential for Induction of Cellular Identity Change and Acinar-to-Ductal Reprogramming during Early Pancreatic Carcinogenesis. Cancer Cell 29(3):324-38, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26977883.
- Yan Y, Zuo X, Wei D. Concise Review: Emerging Role of CD44 in Cancer Stem Cells: A Promising Biomarker and Therapeutic Target. Stem Cells Transl Med 4(9):1033-43, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26136504.
- Mao F, Xu M, Zuo X, Yu J, Xu W, Moussalli MJ, Elias E, Li HS, Watowich SS, Shureiqi I. 15-Lipoxygenase-1 suppression of colitis-associated colon cancer through inhibition of the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway. FASEB J 29(6):2359-70, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25713055.
- Wu Y, Mao F, Zuo X, Moussalli MJ, Elias E, Xu W, Shureiqi I. 15-LOX-1 suppression of hypoxia-induced metastatic phenotype and HIF-1α expression in human colon cancer cells. Cancer Med 3(3):472-84, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24634093.
- Zuo X, Xu M, Yu J, Wu Y, Moussalli MJ, Manyam GC, Lee SI, Liang S, Gagea M, Morris JS, Broaddus RR, Shureiqi I. Potentiation of colon cancer susceptibility in mice by colonic epithelial PPAR-δ/β overexpression. J Natl Cancer Inst 106(4):dju052, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24681603.
- Zuo X, Shureiqi I. Eicosanoid profiling in colon cancer: Emergence of a pattern. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 104-105:139-43, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 22960430.
- Xu M, Zuo X, Shureiqi I. Targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ in colon cancer: How to aim?. Biochem Pharmacol 85(5):607-11, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23041232.
- Zuo X, Peng Z, Wu Y, Moussalli MJ, Yang XL, Wang Y, Parker-Thornburg J, Morris JS, Broaddus RR, Fischer SM, Shureiqi I. Effects of gut-targeted 15-LOX-1 transgene expression on colonic tumorigenesis in mice. J Natl Cancer Inst 104(9):709-16, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22472308.
- Moussalli MJ, Wu Y, Zuo X, Yang XL, Wistuba II, Raso MG, Morris JS, Bowser JL, Minna JD, Lotan R, Shureiqi I. Mechanistic contribution of ubiquitous 15-lipoxygenase-1 expression loss in cancer cells to terminal cell differentiation evasion. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 4(12):1961-72, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21881028.
- Shureiqi I, Chen D, Day RS, Zuo X, Hochman FL, Ross WA, Cole RA, Moy O, Morris JS, Xiao L, Newman RA, Yang P, Lippman SM. Profiling Lipoxygenase Metabolism in Specific Steps of Colorectal Tumorigenesis. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 3(7):829-38, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20570882.
- Zuo X, Peng Z, Moussalli MJ, Morris JS, Broaddus RR, Fischer SM, Shureiqi I. Targeted genetic disruption of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta and colonic tumorigenesis. J Natl Cancer Inst 101(10):762-7, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19436036.
- Zuo X, Morris JS, Broaddus R, Shureiqi I. 15-LOX-1 transcription suppression through the NuRD complex in colon cancer cells. Oncogene 28(12):1496-505, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19198625.
- Zuo X, Morris JS, Shureiqi I. Chromatin modification requirements for 15-lipoxygenase-1 transcriptional reactivation in colon cancer cells. J Biol Chem 283(46):31341-7, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18799463.
- Zuo X, Shen L, Issa JP, Moy O, Morris JS, Lippman SM, Shureiqi I. 15-Lipoxygenase-1 transcriptional silencing by the DNA methyltransferase-1 independently of DNA methylation. FASEB J 22(6):1981-92, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18198215.
- Shureiqi I, Zuo X, Broaddus R, Wu Y, Guan B, Morris JS, Lippman SM. The transcription factor GATA-6 is overexpressed in vivo and contributes to silencing 15-LOX-1 in vitro in human colon cancer. FASEB J 21(3):743-53, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17167069.
- Zuo X, Wu Y, Morris JS, Stimmel JB, Leesnitzer LM, Fischer SM, Lippman SM, Shureiqi I. Oxidative metabolism of linoleic acid modulates PPAR-beta/delta suppression of PPAR-gamma activity. Oncogene 25(8):1225-1241, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16288226.
- Shureiqi I, Jiang W, Zuo X, Wu Y, Stimmel JB, Leesnitzer LM, Morris JS, Fan HZ, Fischer SM, Lippman SM. The 15-lipoxygenase-1 product 13-S-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid down-regulates PPAR-delta to induce apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100(17):9968-9973, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 12909723.
- Zuo X, Li G, Luo T, Li J, Liu Y, Luo M. Differentiation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts into adipocytes induced by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma 2 expression. Chin Med J (Engl) 114(9):916-20, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11780381.
- Zuo X, Li G, Luo T, Li J, Liu Y, Sun W, Luo M. [Adipocytes differentiation of NIH3T3 cells induced by peroxisome proliferator activation receptor gamma 2 expression]. Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 40(4):247-50, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11798586.
- Zuo X, Su B, Wei D. Isolation and characterization of early pregnancy factor. Chin Med Sci J 9(1):34-7, 1994. e-Pub 1994. PMID: 8086632.
Review Articles
- Niu D, Wei D, Liu Y, Yao JC, Shureiqi I, Zuo X. PPARδ: An Underappreciated Tumor Accelerator in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Lett, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41763448.
- D Wei, L Wang, Y Liu, X Zuo, X Shen, RS Bresalier. CAR-Macrophage Cell Therapy: A New Era of Hope for Pancreatic Cancer. Clin Cancer Res 31(19):4018-4031, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40757874.
- Kiyasu Y, Zuo X, Liu Y, Yao JC, Shureiqi I. EPA, DHA, and resolvin effects on cancer risk: The underexplored mechanisms. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 174:106854, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38825147.
- Wei D, Wang L, Zuo X, Bresalier RS. Vitamin D: Promises on the Horizon and Challenges Ahead for Fighting Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 13(11), 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34072725.
- Liu Y, Colby JK, Zuo X, Jaoude J, Wei D, Shureiqi I. The Role of PPAR-δ in Metabolism, Inflammation, and Cancer: Many Characters of a Critical Transcription Factor. Int J Mol Sci 19(11), 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30373124.
- Il Lee S, Zuo X, Shureiqi I. 15-Lipoxygenase-1 as a tumor suppressor gene in colon cancer: is the verdict in?. Cancer Metastasis Rev 30(3-4):481-91, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22037943.
Editorials
- Yao Y, Shen Y, Yao JC, Zuo X. Editorial: New advancement in tumor microenvironment remodeling and cancer therapy. Front Cell Dev Biol, 2024. PMID: 38516127.
Book Chapters
- Wang L, Zuo X, Xie K, Wei D. The Role of CD44 and Cancer Stem Cells. In: Methods Mol Biol. SpringerLink, 31-42, 2018.
Books (edited and written)
- Zuo, X, Shen Y, and Yao Y. New Advancement in Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling and Cancer Therapy. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA, 2024.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026