Dihua Yu, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Molecular Oncology, Division of Discovery Science
About Dr. Dihua Yu
I was trained as a clinician treating cancer patients from which I painfully realized that we could not save lives of many cancer patients due to late diagnoses and lack of effective treatments. This experience motivated me to obtain Ph.D. training in cancer biology so I could perform discovery research to identify the Achilles’ heel of our enemy—CANCER and win our battle against cancer! My determination and my background in both clinical medicine and basic research have empowered me to develop a highly productive translational cancer research program at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), where my laboratory functions as a bridge connecting basic/translational cancer research to important issues in cancer patient care. We aim to gain global understanding of the mechanisms of cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance and develop mechanisms-based, rationally designed combinatorial intervention strategies and therapies for personalized cancer care. We use various preclinical models, e.g., 2 dimensional (2D) and 3D cell culture, double and triple co-cultures, organoids, transgenic, knockout, and humanized mouse models, cancer cell xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, tissue and plasma specimens from patients, as well as big data (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.) from patients.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Program Co-Leader, Tumor Evolution and Metastasis Program, Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Chair, Molecular Oncology (department name changed from Molecular and Cellular Oncology on Dec. 1, 2025), Discovery Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Hubert L. & Olive Stringer Distinguished Chair in Basic Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Professor (tenured and primary), Molecular and Cellular Oncology (now Molecular Oncology), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Faculty (Joint appointment), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1991 | Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, US, Molecular Biology and Cancer Biology, Ph.D |
| 1985 | Capital University of Medicine, Beijing, CN, Neuro-Cardio Physiology, M.S |
| 1982 | Capital University of Medicine, Beijing, CN, Medicine, M.D |
Postgraduate Training
| 1991-1991 | Postdoctoral Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Department Chair, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2024 - 2025
Department Chair ad interim, Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2019 - 2024
Deputy Chair, Dept. of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2009 - 2019
Professor (tenured and joint) and Biologist, Dept. of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2008
Nylene Eckles Distinguished Professor in Breast Cancer Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2009
Professor (tenured and joint) and Biologist, Dept. Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2006
Professor (tenured and primary) and Biologist, Dept. of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2002 - 2006
Associate Professor and Associate Biologist (tenured in 1999), Dept of Surgical Oncology & Dept of Molecular and Cellular Oncology (joint appointment), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1998 - 2002
Assistant Professor and Assistant Biologist (tenure track), Dept of Surgical Oncology & Dept of Tumor Biology (joint appointment), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1994 - 1998
Instructor, non-tenure track research appointment, Department of Tumor Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1991 - 1993
Research and Teaching Instructor, Department of Physiology, Capital University of Medicine, Beijing, 1983 - 1986
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Co-Director, MDACC CCSG Cancer Biology and Metastasis Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2023 - 2025
Director, MDACC CCSG Cancer Biology and Metastasis Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2023
Co-Director, MDACC CCSG Program on Cancer Biology and Metastasis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2019
Co-Director, Functional Genomics Core Facility, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2019
Leader, TNBC Biology Group, Women's Cancer Moonshot Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2016
Co-Director, shRNA Core Facility, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2010 - 2016
Organizer, Graduate School of Biomedical Science, The University of Texas Health Science at Houston, Houston, Texas, 2010
Co-Director, Center for Biological Pathways, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2019
Organizer, DOS seminar by Dr. Joseph Nevins, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2007
Organizer, 2006-2011 Cancer Biology Program Welcome Parties/Dinners, GSBS, The University of Texas Health Science at Houston, Houston, Texas, 2006 - 2011
Organizer, 2006-2011 GSBS Cancer Biology Program Orientations, GSBS, The University of Texas Health Science at Houston, 2006 - 2011
Co-Director, MDACC CCSG Program on Cell Biology and Signal Transduction, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2006 - 2016
Organizer, DOS seminar by Dr. Roger Tsien, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2006
Organizer, 2006-2011 GSBS Cancer Biology Program Retreats, GSBS, The University of Texas Health Science at Houston, 2006 - 2011
Director, Cancer Biology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Science, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, 2005 - 2011
Organizer, DOS seminar by Dr. Tony Hunter, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2003
Organizer, DOS seminar by Dr. Frank J. Rauscher, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2002
Director of Research, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2001 - 2006
Organizer, DOS seminar by Dr. Robert Kerbel, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2001
Organizer, DOS seminar by Dr. James Wang, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2000
Organizer, Blaffer Visiting Professor Lecture of Dr. Ann Chambers, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2000
Co-Director, Sarcoma Research Program, Department of Surgical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 1994 - 2005
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | 35 years of service award, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | MD Anderson Distinguished Educator, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | 30 years of service award, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2017 | Tsai Fan Yu Legacy Lecture Awardee, Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America (SCBA) |
| 2017 | Breast Cancer Research Impact Award, Breast Cancer Society of Taiwan |
| 2016 | The 2016 Fidler Innovation Award, Metastasis Research Society (MRS) |
| 2014 - 2016 | 2014-2016 Sowell-Huggins Professorship in Cancer Research, UT-GSBS |
| 2013 | Achievement Award, The Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America-Texas (SCBA-TX) |
| 2013 | Faculty Educator of the Month (May 2013), University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 - 2017 | Faculty Member reappointed with the highest commendation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences |
| 2012 | The 2012 Dallas/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Research, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, The University of Texas System |
| 2012 | The Distinguished Faculty Research Mentor Award, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2012 | Named as Distinguished Teaching Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2011 | Elected Academy Member, The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education |
| 2011 | Elected AAAS Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| 2010 | Texas Business and Professional Women (BPW) Award, Texas Federation of BPW |
| 2009 - Present | Hubert L. & Olive Stringer Distinguished Chair in Basic Science, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2007 - 2011 | Faculty Member reappointed with the highest commendation, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| 2007 | Faculty Educator of the Month (November 2007), University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2006 - 2009 | Nylene Eckles Distinguished Professorship in Breast Cancer Research, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2001 - 2005 | Dean's Excellence Award, Recipient of Honors Convocation of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| 2000 | E. N. Cobb Faculty Scholar Award, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
| 1999 | Research Award, Texas Business and Professional Woman Organization |
| 1996 | Overseas Chinese Scholar Award, National Natural Science Foundation of the People's Republic of China |
| 1992 | First Place Winner on Poster Competition, The Fourth Bi-Annual SCBA Symposium, SCBA (Society of Chinese Bio-scientist in America) |
| 1992 | Travel Award, The Fourth SCBA International Symposium and Workshop in Singapore, SCBA (Society of Chinese Bio-scientist in America) |
| 1991 | John P. McGovern Outstanding Student Award (for the best student of the year), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| 1991 | Upjohn Award, 1991 AACR Annual Meeting, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) |
| 1990 | First Place Winner on Oral Presentation, The 1990 Graduate Student Research Symposium,, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
| 1990 | Second Place Winner on Poster Competition, The 1990 Graduate Student Research Symposium, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2026. Dynamic Interplay of Cancer Cells and TME in Driving Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance. Invited. ICT Clinical Studies/Journal Club. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Coevolution of Cancer Cells and TME in Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance. Invited. 2025 Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (DPLM) Annual Research Retreat, Keynote Speaker. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Microenvironment-induced PTEN loss by exosomal microRNA primes brain metastasis outgrowth. Invited. Research Town Hall, Decade of Impact. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2025. Decoding Cancer Metastasis. Invited. Research Town Hall, Molecular Oncology session. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Coevolution of Cancer Cells and TME in Cancer Metastasis and Immune Evasion. Invited. Unlocking the Clinical Potential of Chemical Innovation Workshop. Houston, TX, US.
- 2024. Alumni Spotlight Panel session: Career Development. Panelist. Cancer Biology Program 2024 Retreat. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Toward winning the war against CANCER. Invited. Understanding our Breakthroughs seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Impeding Brain Metastasis by Countering Immuno-suppressive Brain TME. Invited. Cancer Biology and Metastasis Program Retreat, CCSG. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Coevolution of cancer cells and TME in metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Invited. ENJOY Science Webinar Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Co-evolution of cancer cells and TME in metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Invited. Distinguished Blaffer Seminar Serie. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. Moderating myeloid cells – friends versus foes. Invited. Myeloid Diversity Interest Group Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2023. MCO Department: Past, Present, and Future, Speaker. MCO faculty meeting with new VP Research Dr. Gottlieb. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Coevolution of Cancer Cells and TME in Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance. Invited. Pathology Departmental seminar series. Dallas, TX, US.
- 2024. Decoding cancer metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Invited. BIG-TCR summer retreat. Houston, TX, US.
- 2023. Impeding brain metastases & boosting immunotherapy response by modulating myeloid cells. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. TBA. Conference. 2026 Cancer R&D. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2026. Decoding Cancer Metastasis: Mechanisms, Targets, and Translation. Invited. 27th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). Columbus, Ohio, US.
- 2026. Decoding Brain Metastasis: Insights for Therapeutic Intervention. Invited. MET-X (the Center for Metastasis Research eXcellence) Research in Progress Seminar Series. Seattle, WA, US.
- 2026. When Spaceflight Meets Cancer Biology — Allergy, Histamine, Immune Drift, and Rebooting Immunity. Invited. 2nd annual Occupational Flight Exposure and Cancer Risk Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2026. Disrupting the "soil": Exploring and targeting the pre-metastatic niche. Conference. Educational Session “Pre-Clinical and Clinical Advances in Detecting and Targeting the Pre-Metastatic Niche”, 2026 AACR Annual Meeting. San Diego, California, US.
- 2026. Coevolution of Cancer Cells and TME in Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance. Invited. Beckman Seminar Series Cancer Metabolism Training Program. Duarte, California, US.
- 2026. Dynamic Interplay of Cancer Cells and TME in Driving Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance. Invited. 2025-2026 PINKBC Seminar Series — Progress, Innovation & New Knowledge in Breast Cancer. Virtual, US.
- 2024. Decoding brain metastasis in breast cancer. Conference. The 2nd Hawaii Global Summit on Breast Cancer. Kona, HI, US.
- 2024. Reversing immunosuppression. Conference. The 2nd Hawaii Global Summit on Breast Cancer. Kona, HI, US.
- 2023. Myeloid cells in brain metastasis and immunotherapy response: Friends or Foes?. Conference. Breast Cancer Research Symposium. Cincinnati, OH, US.
- 2023. Tackling Metastasis and Immunotherapy Resistance via Modulating Myeloid Cells. Invited. President's Lecture Series. Torrance, CA (virtual), US.
- 2023. Keynote Address. Conference. Joint meeting of ACACR and USCACA 2023 Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
- 2023. Exciting Time of Cancer Research. Conference. 2023 ACACR Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Astrocyte-induced Cdk5 expedites breast cancer brain metastasis by suppressing MHC-I expression to evade immune recognition. Conference. Global Cancer Research Conference 2025 (G-CARE). Virtual, US.
- 2024. Myeloid Cells in Cancer Metastasis and Therapeutic Resistance. Conference. International Forum on Medicinal Chemistry Drug Discovery & Drug Delivery (MCCDFORUM2024) (Virtual). Florence, IT.
- 2024. Myeloid cells in cancer metastasis and immune evasion. Conference. Global Cancer Consortium "Current Trends in Tumor Microenvironment and Therapeutics". Navi Mumbai, IN.
- 2023. Myeloid cells in brain metastasis and immunotherapy response: Friends or Foes?. Conference. International Conference on Advanced Biomedical Sciences. Taichung, TW.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - 2028 |
| Title: | Targeting a driver kinase PCTK1 synergizes with ferroptosis inducer to combat breast cancer brain metastasis |
| Funding Source: | DOD/Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD/CDMRP) |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | HT94252510073 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2026 |
| Title: | Development of Novel Immunotherapy with Engineered Dendritic Cells-derived Extracellular Vesicles to Impede Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Brain Metastases |
| Funding Source: | METAvivor Research and Support, Inc |
| Role: | Mentor |
| ID: | FP23838 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2027 |
| Title: | Overcoming the Blood-Brain Barrier in Effective Treatments for Brain Metastasis |
| Funding Source: | Rice University/Robert Kleberg Foundation |
| Role: | Principal Investigator of Subcontract |
| ID: | FP23841/Subcontract |
| Date: | 2024 - 2027 |
| Title: | Inhibit Brain Metastases of HER2/neu-positive Breast Cancers with Extracellular Vesicles from Renovated Dendritic Cells |
| Funding Source: | DOD/Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (DOD/CDMRP) |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | HT94252410397 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2027 |
| Title: | Immunoprevention of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis by Special Dendritic Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | RP240214 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2026 |
| Title: | Impeding breast cancer brain metastases by extracellular vesicles from SHP1-modified dendritic cells |
| Funding Source: | Rosalie B. Hite Predoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research |
| Role: | Mentor of Predoctoral Fellowship |
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | Exploring novel strategies for immunoprevention of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R01CA270010-01A1 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2027 |
| Title: | Exploring the Function of MHC-II/Lag3 Axis in Brain Metastasis to Develop Novel Therapeutic Strategies |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R01CA266099 |
| Date: | 2019 - 2026 |
| Title: | Cancer Center Support (CORE) Grant |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator (Director of Cancer Biology and Metastasis Program at 10%, and Director of Functional Genomics Core Facility at 5%) |
| ID: | P30CA016672 (Sub-project ID: 5716) |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Wang, S, Liang, K, Hu, Q, Li, P, Song, J, Yang, Y, Yao, J, Mangala, LS, Li, C, Yang, W, Park, PK, Hawke, DH, Zhou, J, Zhou, Y, Xia, W, Hung, M, Marks, JR, Gallick, GE, Lopez Berestein, G, Flores, ER, Sood, AK, Huang, S, Yu, D, Yang, L, Lin, C. Expression of Concern for JAK2-binding long noncoding RNA promotes breast cancer brain metastasis. Journal of Clinical Investigation 135(19), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41031879.
- Zhao Z, Hu B, Deng Y, Soeung M, Yao J, 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, Tannir NM, Han L, Yu D, Wang L, Curran M, 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 antitumor immunity. Immunity 58(6):1484-1501, E11, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40359940.
- Chen MK, Yamaguchi H, Gao Y, Xia W, Chang JT, Hsiao YC, Shegute TW, Lin ZS, Wu CS, Wang YH, Litton JK, Ding Q, Wei Y, Chu YY, Meric-Bernstam F, Piwnica-Worms H, Arun B, Rodon Ahnert J, Liu J, Yao J, Chang WC, Wang HL, Tapia C, Albarracin CT, Keyomarsi K, Wang SC, Wang YN, Hortobagyi GN, Lin C, Yang L, Yu D, Hung MC. FGFR3-induced Y158 PARP1 phosphorylation promotes PARP-inhibitor resistance via BRG1/MRE11-mediated DNA repair in breast cancer models. J Clin Invest 135(14):e173757, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40460005.
- Zhang Y, Xiao Y, Li Y, Yao J, Yuan X, Duan Y, Shyu YM, Li P, Islam S, Yu D. Enhancing cancer vaccine efficacy with Vitamin E for immunoprevention of ER- breast cancer. e-Pub 2025.
- Saito Y, Xiao Y, Yao J, Li HZ, Yuan XL, Xia WY, Li P, Zhang QL, Badu-Nkansah A, Yin XD, Zhao J, Kariminia SM, Wu YC, Wang J, Yang J, Jho EH, Chiao P, Hwang R, Ying HQ, Wang H, Hung MC, DePinho R, Yu D. Targeting a chemo-induced adaptive signaling circuit confers therapeutic vulnerabilities in pancreatic cancer. Cell Discovery 10(1):109, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39468013.
- Yuzhalin A, Lowery F, Saito Y, Yuan XL, Yao J, Duan YM, Ding JZ, Acharya S, Fajardo A, Zhang CY, Sun YT, Zhang L, Xiao Y, Li P, Lorenzi PL, Zhao ZM, Fan HH, Hung MC, Yu D. Astrocyte-induced Cdk5 expedites breast cancer brain metastasis by suppressing MHC-I expression to evade immune recognition. Nat Cell Biol 26(10):1773-1789, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39304713.
- Ye Z, Xu S, Shi Y, Cheng X, Zhang Y, Roy S, Namjoshi S, Longo MA, Link TM, Schlacher K, Peng G, Yu D, Wang B, Tainer JA, Ahmed Z. GRB2 stabilizes RAD51 at reversed replication forks suppressing genomic instability and innate immunity against cancer. Nat Commun 15(1):2132, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38459011.
- Liu C, Zhou C, Xia W, Zhou Y, Qiu Y, Weng J, Zhou Q, Chen W, Wang YN, Lee HH, Wang SC, Kuang M, Yu D, Ren N, Hung MC. Targeting ALK averts ribonuclease 1-induced immunosuppression and enhances antitumor immunity in hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun 15(1):1009, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38307859.
- Akkoc Mustafayev FN, Liu DD, Gutierrez AM, Lewis JE, Ibrahim NK, Valero V, Booser DJ, Litton JK, Koenig K, Yu D, Sneige N, Arun BK. Short-Term Biomarker Modulation Study of Dasatinib for Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancer Chemoprevention. Eur J Breast Health 19(4):267-273, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37795002.
- Zhang Y, Zhao Z, Huang LA, Liu Y, Yao J, Sun C, Li Y, Zhang Z, Ye Y, Yuan F, Nguyen TK, Garlapati NR, Wu A, Egranov SD, Caudle AS, Sahin AA, Lim B, Beretta L, Calin GA, Yu D, Hung MC, Curran MA, Rezvani K, Gan B, Tan Z, Han L, Lin C, Yang L. Molecular mechanisms of snoRNA-IL-15 crosstalk in adipocyte lipolysis and NK cell rejuvenation. Cell Metab 35(35):1-17, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37329887.
- Wang YN, Lee HH, Jiang Z, Chan LC, Hortobagyi GN, Yu D, Hung MC. Ribonuclease 1 enhances anti-tumor immunity against breast cancer by boosting T cell activation. Int J Biol Sci 19(10):2957-2973, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37416781.
- Sun C, Ye Y, Tan Z, Liu Y, Li Y, Hu W, Liang K, Egranov SD, Huang LA, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Yao J, Nguyen TK, Zhao Z, Wu A, Marks JR, Caudle AS, Sahin AA, Gao J, Gammon ST, Piwnica-Worms D, Hu J, Chiao PJ, Yu D, Hung MC, Curran MA, Calin GA, Ying H, Han L, Lin C, Yang L. Tumor-associated nonmyelinating Schwann cell-expressed PVT1 promotes pancreatic cancer kynurenine pathway and tumor immune exclusion. Sci Adv 9(5):eadd6995, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36724291.
- Zhang Y, Sun C, Li Y, Qin J, Amancherla K, Jing Y, Hu Q, Liang K, Zhang Z, Ye Y, Huang LA, Nguyen TK, Egranov SD, Zhao Z, Wu A, Xi Y, Yao J, Hung MC, Calin GA, Cheng J, Lim B, Lehmann LH, Salem JE, Johnson DB, Curran MA, Yu D, Han L, Darabi R, Yang L, Moslehi JJ, Lin C. Hormonal therapies up-regulate MANF and overcome female susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis. Sci Transl Med 14(669):eabo1981, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36322628.
- Chu YY, Chen MK, Wei Y, Lee HH, Xia W, Wang YN, Yam C, Hsu JL, Wang HL, Chang WC, Yamaguchi H, Jiang Z, Liu C, Li CF, Nie L, Chan LC, Gao Y, Wang SC, Liu J, Westin SN, Lee S, Sood AK, Yang L, Hortobagyi GN, *Yu D, *Hung MC. Targeting the ALK-CDK9-Tyr19 kinase cascade sensitizes ovarian and breast tumors to PARP inhibition via destabilization of the P-TEFb complex. Nat Cancer 3(10):1211-1227, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36253486.
- Yuan X, Duan Y, Xiao Y, Sun K, Qi Y, Zhang Y, Ahmed Z, Moiani D, Yao J, Li H, Zhang L, Yuzhalin AE, Li P, Zhang C, Badu-Nkansah A, Saito Y, Liu X, Kuo WL, Ying H, Sun SC, Chang JC, Tainer JA, Yu D. Vitamin E Enhances Cancer Immunotherapy by Reinvigorating Dendritic Cells via Targeting Checkpoint SHP1. Cancer Discov 12(7):1742-1759, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35420681.
- Zhao X, Wei Y, Chu YY, Li Y, Hsu JM, Jiang Z, Liu C, Hsu JL, Chang WC, Yang R, Chan LC, Qu J, Zhang S, Ying H, Yu D, Hung MC. Phosphorylation and stabilization of PD-L1 by CK2 suppresses dendritic cell function. Cancer Res 82(11):2185-2195, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35385574.
- Zhang L, Qu J, Qi Y, Duan Y, Huang YW, Zhou Z, Li P, Yao J, Huang B, Zhang S, Yu D. EZH2 engages TGFβ signaling to promote breast cancer bone metastasis via integrin β1-FAK activation. Nat Commun 13(1):2543, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35538070.
- Cha JH, Chan LC, Wang YN, Chu YY, Wang CH, Lee HH, Xia W, Shyu WC, Liu SP, Yao J, Chang CW, Cheng FR, Liu J, Lim SO, Hsu JL, Yang WH, Hortobagyi GN, Lin C, Yang L, Yu D, Jeng LB, Hung MC. Ephrin receptor A10 monoclonal antibodies and the derived chimeric antigen receptor T cells exert an antitumor response in mouse models of triple-negative breast cancer. J Biol Chem 298(4):101817, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35278434.
- Su T, Huang S, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Zhang S, Guan J, Meng M, Liu L, Wang C, Yu D, Kwan HY, Huang Z, Huang Q, Lai-Han Leung E, Hu M, Wang Y, Liu Z, Lu L. miR-7/TGF-β2 axis sustains acidic tumor microenvironment-induced lung cancer metastasis. Acta Pharm Sin B 12(2):821-837, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35251919.
- Li H, Xiao Y, Li Q, Yao J, Yuan X, Zhang Y, Yin X, Saito Y, Fan H, Li P, Kuo WL, Halpin A, Gibbons DL, Yagita H, Zhao Z, Pang D, Ren G, Yee C, Lee JJ, Yu D. The allergy mediator histamine confers resistance to immunotherapy in cancer patients via activation of the macrophage histamine receptor H1. Cancer Cell 40(1):36-52.e9, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34822775.
- Qiu Y, Yang Y, Yang R, Liu C, Hsu JM, Jiang Z, Sun L, Wei Y, Li CW, Yu D, Zhang J, Hung MC. Activated T cell-derived exosomal PD-1 attenuates PD-L1-induced immune dysfunction in triple-negative breast cancer. Oncogene 40(31):4992-5001, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34172932.
- Shaim H, Shanley M, Basar R, Daher M, Gumin J, Zamler DB, Uprety N, Wang F, Huang Y, Gabrusiewicz K, Miao Q, Dou J, Alsuliman A, Kerbauy LN, Acharya S, Mohanty V, Mendt M, Li S, Lu J, Wei J, Fowlkes NW, Gokdemir E, Ensley EL, Kaplan M, Kassab C, Li L, Ozcan G, Banerjee PP, Shen Y, Gilbert AL, Jones CM, Bdiwi M, Nunez-Cortes AK, Liu E, Yu J, Imahashi N, Muniz-Feliciano L, Li Y, Hu J, Draetta G, Marin D, Yu D, Mielke S, Eyrich M, Champlin RE, Chen K, Lang FF, Shpall EJ, Heimberger AB, Rezvani K. Targeting the αv integrin-TGF-β axis improves natural killer cell function against glioblastoma stem cells. J Clin Invest 131(14):e142116, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34138753.
- Lee HH, Wang YN, Yang WH, Xia W, Wei Y, Chan LC, Wang YH, Jiang Z, Xu S, Yao J, Qiu Y, Hsu YH, Hwang WL, Yan M, Cha JH, Hsu JL, Shen J, Ye Y, Wu X, Hou MF, Tseng LM, Wang SC, Pan MR, Yang CH, Wang YL, Yamaguchi H, Pang D, Hortobagyi GN, Yu D, Hung MC. Human ribonuclease 1 serves as a secretory ligand of ephrin A4 receptor and induces breast tumor initiation. Nat Commun 12(1):2788, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33986289.
- Jiang Z, Lim SO, Yan M, Hsu JL, Yao J, Wei Y, Chang SS, Yamaguchi H, Lee HH, Ke B, Hsu JM, Chan LC, Hortobagyi GN, Yang L, Lin C, Yu D, Hung MC. Tyro3 induces anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy resistance by limiting innate immunity and tumoral ferroptosis. J Clin Invest 131(8):e139434, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33855973.
- Yang R, Sun L, Li CF, Wang YH, Yao J, Li H, Yan M, Chang WC, Hsu JM, Cha JH, Hsu JL, Chou CW, Sun X, Deng Y, Chou CK, Yu D, Hung MC. Galectin-9 interacts with PD-1 and TIM-3 to regulate T cell death and is a target for cancer immunotherapy. Nat Commun 12(1):832, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33547304.
- Fukumura K, Malgulwar PB, Fischer GM, Hu X, Mao X, Song X, Hernandez SD, Zhang XH, Zhang J, Parra ER, Yu D, Debeb BG, Davies MA, Huse JT. Multi-omic molecular profiling reveals potentially targetable abnormalities shared across multiple histologies of brain metastasis. Acta Neuropathol 141(2):303-321, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33394124.
Invited Articles
- Yang SP, Yu D. (Giga)TIME for the era of AI: Virtual mIF from routine H&E for large populations. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy 11(1):116, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41912494.
- Yuan, X, Xiao, Y, Yu, D. Turn cold tumors hot by reprogramming the tumor microenvironment. Nature Biotechnology 43(4):466-470, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40229361.
- Aleksandrovic E, Zhang S, Yu D. From pre-clinical to translational brain metastasis research: current challenges and emerging opportunities. Clin Exp Metastasis 41(3):187-198, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38430319.
- Yuzhalin AE, Yu D. Critical Functions of Extracellular Matrix in Brain Metastasis Seeding. Cell Mol Life Sci 80(10):297, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37728789.
- Wang YN, Lee HH, Wei Y, Chu YY, Xia W, Wang M, Yu D, Hung MC. An optimized protocol for PD-L1 pathological assessment with sample deglycosylation to improve correlation with therapeutic response. STAR Protoc 3(1):101198, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35243381.
- Xiao Y, Yu D. Tumor microenvironment as a therapeutic target in cancer. Pharmacol Ther JPT-107753:107753, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33259885.
- Yu D, Yuan X. Rethinking Immune States in Brain Metastasis. Cancer Cell.
Professional Educational Materials
- Torti F, Altieri D, Broach J, Fan H, Lotze M, Manfredi J, Matrisian L, Yu D, Giaccia A. Ph.D. Training in Cancer Biology. Cancer Research, 2008.
Abstracts
- There are too many abstracts. Only 12 abstracts of 1997-1998 among all published abstracts are listed.
Patents
- Yu D, Yu D, Lowery F, Lowery F, Zhang CY, Zhang CY, Sunil A, Sunil A, Li P, Li P. Method of Targeting Kinases for Treatment of Cancer Metastasis, 2023. Patent Number: No. JP-7587860; Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-183795 which is a divisional of JP 2020-507545.
- Yu D, Lowery F, Zhang C, Acharya S, Li P. Targeting Kinases for the Treatment of Cancer Metastasis, 2020. Patent Number: Application No. 16638222; Patent No. US-11406643-B2.
- Yu D, Lowery F, Zhang CY, Acharya S, Li P. Targeting Kinases for the Treatment of Cancer Metastasis, 2020. Patent Number: 102901842, Application No. KR-10-2020-7004184; Publication No. KR-1020200040763-A.
- Yu D, Lowery F, Zhang C, Acharya S, Li P. Targeting Kinases for the Treatment of Cancer Metastasis, 2019. Patent Number: Application and Publication No. CA3072087-A1.
- Yu D, Zhou X, Nagata Y, Esteva F, Sahin. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions involving PTEN and breast cancer, 2011. Patent Number: Application No. US-12943644; Patent No. 10378058-B2.
- Yu D, Yao J, Neal C, Yang W, Zhou X, Pollock R, Hung M, Yang J, Li P, Nguyen AN. 14-3-3zeta overexpression as a poor prognosis factor, and a therapeutic target in multiple cancer types, 2008. Patent Number: Application No. US-11950264; Patent No. US-7709205-B2.
- Yu D, Zhou X, Nagata Y, Esteva F, Sahin A. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods and compositions involving PTEN and breast cancer, 2005. Patent Number: Application No. US-10983011; Patent No. US-07981618-B2.
- Yu D, Yao J, Neal C, Yang W, Zhou X, Pollock RE, Hung MC, Yang J, Li P, Nguyen NT. 14-3-3 zeta over-expression as a poor prognosis factor, and a therapeutic target in multiple cancer types, 2005. Patent Number: Application No. US-10938387; Patent No. US-7316907-B2.
- Hung MC, Chen H, Yu D, Paul, Loomis AG, LaFoe DNA. Mini-E1A genes and gene products, 2004. Patent Number: Application No. US-09718865; Patent No. US-6683059-B1.
- Hung MC, Chen H, Yu D. Suppression of tumor growth using a Mini-E1A gene (SN 08/945,424), 2001. Patent Number: Application No. US-08945424; Patent No. US-6197754-B1 B1.
- Hung MC, Yu D, Martin A, Zhang YJ. Methods for the suppression of neu mediated phenotype in tumors, 1998. Patent Number: Application No. 08457029; Patent No. US 5814315.
- Hung MC, Yu D. Methods for the suppression of neu mediated tumors by the adenoviral EIA gene, 1997. Patent Number: No. US-5651964.
- Hung MC, Yu D, Martin A, Zhang YJ. Methods for the suppression of neu mediated tumors by adenoviral E1A and SV40 large T antigen, 1997. Patent Number: Application No. US-08276359; Publication No. US-5643567; US Patent No. 5643567.
- Hung MC, Yu D. Methods and compositions for the suppression of neu mediated transformation, 1992. Patent Number: Application No. CA-2096723.
- Hung MC, Yu D, Zhang AJ. Methods and compositions for the suppression of neu mediated transformation. Patent Number: No. 700867/95.
- Hung MC, Yu D, Martin A. Methods for the suppression of neu mediated tumors by adenoviral E1A and SV40 large T antigen. Patent Number: Application No. US-08162406; Patent No. US-5641484.
- Hung MC, Yu D, Zhang AJ. Methods and compositions for the suppression of neu mediated transformation. Patent Number: European Divisional Patent serial No. 1064952.
- Yu D, Lowery F, Zhang C, Acharya S, Li P. Targeting Kinases for the Treatment of Cancer Metastasis. Patent Number: Application No. AU-2018314234 based on PCT/US2018/046329 and U. S. Provisional Application No. 62/544,597.
- Hung MC, Chen H, Yu D. Suppression of neu overexpression using a mini-E1A gene (SN08/730,910). Patent Number: No. US 6,326,356-B1.
- Hung MC, Yu D, Matin A, Zhang J. Methods and compositions for the suppression of neu mediated transformation. Patent Number: No. US-5,814,315.
- Yu D, Hung M. Repression of neu/HER-2 oncogene by E1A. Patent Number: No. 5,641,484, Australian Patent No. 651650.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 17, 2026