Hongxia Sun, MD, PhD
Department of Anatomical Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div
About Dr. Hongxia Sun
I am a surgical and breast pathologist, and a board certified cytopathologist. I joined the Department of Pathology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2023, with a clinical focus on breast pathology. I have background and interest in basic and clinical cancer research. My current research focuses on diagnostic breast pathology, morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies of various breast tumors, and clinical trials on breast cancer treatment.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Patient Safety Quality Officer, Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2002 | Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, CN, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ph.D |
| 1999 | Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, CN, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, M.S |
| 1996 | Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, CN, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2018-2019 | Clinical Fellowship, Breast Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2017-2018 | Clinical Fellowship, Oncologic Surgical Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 2016-2017 | Clinical Fellowship, Cytopathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 2012-2016 | Clinical Residency, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas |
| 2002-2007 | Research Fellowship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
Board Certifications
| 2017 | American Board of Pathology, Cytopathology |
| 2016 | American Board of Pathology, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology/Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2022
Research Scientist, Department of Pathology - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2012
Administrative Appointments/Responsibilities
Associate Patient Safety Quality Officer, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2023 - Present
Medical Director, Harris Health System Squatty Lyons and Baytown Health Center Laboratories, Houston, TX, 2022 - 2022
Institutional Committee Activities
Member, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Utilization Review Committee, 2023 - Present
member, The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School Research Committee, 2021 - 2022
member, Harris Health System LBJ Hospital Procedure Case Review Committee, 2020 - 2022
Honors & Awards
| 2021 | Harris County Hospital District Small Grants Award, Harris Health System |
| 2016 | Third Prize Award, pathology abstract platform presentation, Texas Society of Pathologist, 95th Annual Meeting |
| 2016 | Third Prize Award, pathology abstract platform presentation, United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology, 105th Annual Meeting |
| 2013 | Resident Research Award, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School at Houston |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Batra H, Bose PSC, Zhang Y, Ding Y, Liu A, Chen H, Wu Y, Albarracin CT, Sun H, Sahin AA, Wistuba II, Raso MG, Yang F. MYB expression by immunohistochemistry is highly specific and sensitive for detection of solid variant of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast among all triple-negative breast cancers. Histopathology 85(3):503-509, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38973399.
- Sun H, Kang EY, Chen H, Sweeney KJ, Suchko M, Wu Y, Wen J, Krishnamurthy S, Albarracin CT, Ding QQ, Foo WC, Sahin AA. Immunohistochemical assessment of HER2 low breast cancer: interobserver reproducibility and correlation with digital image analysis. Breast Cancer Res Treat 205(2):403-411, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38441847.
- Wang J, Peng Y, Sun H, Aung PP, Resetkova E, Yam C, Sahin AA, Huo L, Ding Q. TRPS1 and GATA3 Expression in Invasive Breast Carcinoma With Apocrine Differentiation. Arch Pathol Lab Med 148(2):200-205, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37074839.
- Allam K, Wang XI, Zhang S, Ding J, Chiu K, Saluja K, Wahed A, Sun H, Nguyen AND. Deep Learning Provides Rapid Screen for Breast Cancer Metastasis with Sentinel Lymph Nodes. Ann Clin Lab Sci 53(6):819-824, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38182154.
- Ye Q, Chen H, Han C, Peng Y, Huang X, Sun H, Wu Y, Albarracin CT, Middleton LP, Sahin AA, Huo L, Ding Q. Nuclear staining for pan-Trk by immunohistochemistry is highly specific for secretory carcinoma of breast: pan-Trk in various subtypes of breast carcinoma. J Clin Pathol. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37586834.
- Wang M, Ding Q, Gu J, Sfamenos SM, Huo L, Tang Z, Sun H, Robinson M, Tang G, Lim B, Wu Y, Albarracin CT, Sahin AA, Chen H. Breast Cancer With a HER2 FISH Group 2 Result: Should HER2 Tests be Repeated?. Clin Breast Cancer 23(4):415-422, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36878823.
- Elzamly S, Al-Habib A, Toraih EA, Jani PP, Thomas-Ogunniyi J, Sun H, Liu J, Zhu H, Buryanek J, Guo T, Zhang S. The optimal approach of EBUS-FNA rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE): a five-year experience from a large academic medical center. J Am Soc Cytopathol 11(5):328-333, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35842295.
- Yoon EC, Wang G, Parkinson B, Huo L, Peng Y, Wang J, Salisbury T, Wu Y, Chen H, Albarracin CT, Resetkova E, Middleton LP, Krishnamurthy S, Gan Q, Sun H, Huang X, Shen T, Chen W, Parwani AV, Sahin AA, Li Z, Ding Q. TRPS1, GATA3, and SOX10 expression in triple-negative breast carcinoma. Hum Pathol 125:97-107, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35413381.
- Wang J, Wang WL, Sun H, Huo L, Wu Y, Chen H, Gan Q, Meis JM, Maloney N, Lazar AJ, Yoon EC, Albarracin CT, Krishnamurthy S, Middleton LP, Resetkova E, Yu W, Tan D, Lu W, Solis Soto LM, Wang S, Wistuba II, Parwani AV, Prieto VG, Sahin AA, Li Z, Ding Q. Expression of TRPS1 in phyllodes tumor and sarcoma of the breast. Hum Pathol 121:73-80, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35063444.
- Luo W, Nagaria TS, Sun H, Ma J, Lombardo JL, Bassett R, Cao AC, Tan D. Expression and Potential Prognostic Value of SOX9, MCL-1 and SPOCK1 in Gastric Adenocarcinoma. Pathol Oncol Res 28, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35221802.
- Sun H, Chen H, Crespo J, Tang G, Robinson M, Lim B, Sahin AA. Clinicopathological Features of Breast Cancer with Polysomy 17 and Its Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy. Eur J Breast Health 17(2):128-136, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 33870112.
- Crespo J, Sun H, Wu J, Ding QQ, Tang G, Robinson MK, Chen H, Sahin AA, Lim B. Rate of reclassification of HER2-equivocal breast cancer cases to HER2-negative per the 2018 ASCO/CAP guidelines and response of HER2-equivocal cases to anti-HER2 therapy. PLoS One 15(11):e0241775, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33180796.
- Sun H, Masand RP, Patel SJ, Padmanabhan V. High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion on high-risk HPV negative patients: Why we still need the Pap test. Diagn Cytopathol 46(11):908-913, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 30488672.
- Kojima YA, Wang X, Sun H, Compton F, Covinsky M, Zhang S. Reproducible evaluation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) using the recommendations of International TILs Working Group 2014. Ann Diagn Pathol 35:77-79, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29886396.
- Sun H, McGuire MF, Zhang S, Brown RE. NUT Midline Carcinoma: Morphoproteomic Characterization with Genomic and Therapeutic Correlates. Ann Clin Lab Sci 45(6):692-701, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26663801.
- Aktas B, Sun H, Yao H, Shi W, Hubbard R, Zhang Y, Jiang T, Ononye SN, Wali VB, Pusztai L, Symmans WF, Hatzis C. Global gene expression changes induced by prolonged cold ischemic stress and preservation method of breast cancer tissue. Mol Oncol 8(3):717-27, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24602449.
- Hatzis C, Sun H, Yao H, Hubbard RE, Meric-Bernstam F, Babiera GV, Wu Y, Pusztai L, Symmans WF. Effects of tissue handling on RNA integrity and microarray measurements from resected breast cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst 103(24):1871-83, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 22034635.
- Chung WC, Ryu SH, Sun H, Zeldin DC, Koo JS. CREB mediates prostaglandin F2alpha-induced MUC5AC overexpression. J Immunol 182(4):2349-56, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19201889.
- Sun H, Chung WC, Ryu SH, Ju Z, Tran HT, Kim E, Kurie JM, Koo JS. Cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein- and nuclear factor-kappaB-regulated CXC chemokine gene expression in lung carcinogenesis. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 1(5):316-28, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 19138976.
- Abba MC, Sun H, Hawkins KA, Drake JA, Hu Y, Nunez MI, Gaddis S, Shi T, Horvath S, Sahin A, Aldaz CM. Breast cancer molecular signatures as determined by SAGE: correlation with lymph node status. Mol Cancer Res 5(9):881-90, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17855657.
- Abba MC, Hu Y, Sun H, Drake JA, Gaddis S, Baggerly K, Sahin A, Aldaz CM. Gene expression signature of estrogen receptor alpha status in breast cancer. BMC Genomics 6:37, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15762987.
- Hu Y, Sun H, Drake J, Kittrell F, Abba MC, Deng L, Gaddis S, Sahin A, Baggerly K, Medina D, Aldaz CM. From mice to humans: identification of commonly deregulated genes in mammary cancer via comparative SAGE studies. Cancer Res 64(21):7748-55, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15520179.
- Liu Z, Sun HX, Zhang YW, Li YF, Zuo J, Meng Y, Fang FD. Effect of SNPs in protein kinase C zeta gene on gene expression in the reporter gene detection system. World J Gastroenterol 10(16):2357-60, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15285019.
- Abba MC, Drake JA, Hawkins KA, Hu Y, Sun H, Notcovich C, Gaddis S, Sahin A, Baggerly K, Aldaz CM. Transcriptomic changes in human breast cancer progression as determined by serial analysis of gene expression. Breast Cancer Res 6(5):R499-513, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15318932.
- Li YF, Sun HX, Wu GD, Du WN, Zuo J, Shen Y, Qiang BQ, Yao ZJ, Wang H, Huang W, Chen Z, Xiong MM, Meng Y, Fang FD. Protein kinase C/zeta (PRKCZ) gene is associated with type 2 diabetes in Han population of North China and analysis of its haplotypes. World J Gastroenterol 9(9):2078-82, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 12970910.
- Hu YF, Ren ZY, Li YF, Sun HX, Chang YS, Su CB, Wang RZ, Zuo J, Fang FD. [Serial analysis of gene expression in the pituitary adenomas and para-tumor normal pituitary tissues]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 24(6):611-5, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12905690.
- Sun HX, Du WN, Li YF, Zuo J, Wu GD, Shen Y, Qiang BQ, Yao ZJ, Hang JM, Luo HY, Wang H, Huang W, Chen Z, Fang FD. [Linkage disequilibrium analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PRKCZ gene]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 24(5):474-80, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12905768.
- Sun HX, Du WN, Li YF, Zuo J, Wu GD, Shen Y, Qiang BQ, Yao ZJ, Hang JM, Luo HY, Wang H, Huang W, Chen Z, Fang FD. [Functional analysis of the single nucleotide polymorphisms in the PRKCZ gene]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 24(5):471-3, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12905767.
- Sun HX, Zhang KX, Du WN, Shi JX, Jiang ZW, Zuo J, Huang W, Chen Z, Shen Y, Yao ZJ, Qiang BQ, Hang JM, Wang H, Fang FD. [Single nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN10 gene of Chinese population and its correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of northern China]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 24(3):228-33, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12905623.
- Sun HX, Du WN, Zuo J, Wu GD, Shi GB, Shen Y, Qiang BQ, Yao ZJ, Hang JM, Wang H, Huang W, Chen Z, Fang FD. [The association of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in PRKCZ and UTS2 respectively with type 2 diabetes in Han people of northern China]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 24(3):223-7, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12905622.
- Du WN, Sun HX, Wang H, Qiang BQ, Yao ZJ, Gu J, Xiong MM, Huang W, Chen Z, Zuo J, Hua XF, Gao W, Sun Q, Fang FD. [Fine mapping of susceptibility genes loci within chromosome 1 in Chinese Han families with type 2 diabetes]. Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao 24(3):234-7, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12905624.
- Sun HX, Zhang KX, Du WN, Shi JX, Jiang ZW, Sun H, Zuo J, Huang W, Chen Z, Shen Y, Yao ZJ, Qiang BQ, Fang FD. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN10 gene of Chinese people and its correlation with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Han people of northern China. Biomed Environ Sci 15(1):75-82, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12046551.
- Zhong X, Hajiyeva S, Shan NL, Zhong M, Antony VM, Liang Y, Krishnamurti U, Sun H, Ding Q, Zhan H. TP53 and RB1 Expressions Patterns in Small Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Breast and Other Rare Non-neuroendocrine Breast Carcinoma. Human Pathology.
Other Articles
- Sun H, Ding Q, Sahin AA Immunohistochemistry in the Diagnosis and Classification of Breast Tumors. Arch Pathol Lab Med 147(10):1119-1132, 2023. PMID: 37490413.
- Ali H, Moosvi AM, Zhang YH, Sun H Malignant Phyllodes Tumor with Heterologous Osteosarcomatous and Rhabdomyosarcomatous Elements: A Case Report and Literature Review. Ann Clin Lab Sci 53(1):159-163, 2023. PMID: 36889758.
- Li R, Saluja K, Mai B, Covinsky M, Sun H Cystic Encapsulated Papillary Carcinoma in the Male Breast: An Unusual Feature With a Diagnostic Challenge. Int J Surg Pathol 30(1):63-67, 2022. PMID: 34304607.
- Tandon N, Sultana S, Sun H, Zhang S Follicular Lymphoma Arising in a Mature Cystic Teratoma in a 26 Year Old Female. Ann Clin Lab Sci 46(3):298-301, 2016. PMID: 27312556.
- Sun H, Yang M An Unusual Variant of Hepatic Inflammatory Angiomyolipoma: Report of a Rare Entity. Ann Clin Lab Sci 46(1):78-82, 2016. PMID: 26927347.
Book Chapters
- Sun H. In: Principle and Protocols of Medical Molecular Biology. Shanghai Public Science Press, 1999.
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2023. Pathology Perspective of HER2-low Breast Cancer: Challenges and Opportunities. Conference. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Diagnostic Pathology Updates Conference 2023. Houston, TX, US.
- 2022. Breast Cancer Studies – From Tumor Immune System to Deep Learning Technology. Invited. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Houston, TX, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2024. Uncommon Invasive Breast Carcinoma: Pathological Features and Biomarker Study. Invited. Pathology Grand Rounds. Galveston, Texas, US.
- 2022. Predicting Breast Cancer Metastasis in Sentinel Lymph Node with Deep Learning Technology. Conference. Texas Society of Pathology 101th Annual Meeting. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. Papillary Lesions of Breast. Invited. The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School. Houston, TX, US.
National Presentations
- 2024. High Risk-associated Breast Lesions: Diagnosis and Clinical Management. Invited. Chinese American Pathologists Association Online Education Program, US.
- 2018. Studies on Breast Cancer. Invited. Emory University. Atlanta, GA, US.
International Presentations
- 2022. Special Types of Invasive Breast Carcinoma. Invited. Phase I of the Breast Pathology Diagnosis and Improving Program in Hebei Province, CN.
- 2016. Reproducible Evaluation of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) Using the Recommendations of International TILs Working Group 2014. Conference. United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology, 105th Annual Meeting. Seattle, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Potential Utility of Artificial Intelligence Solutions for Accurate Interpretation of HER2 Immunostain in Breast Cancer HER2 EEP Study |
| Funding Source: | Ibex Medical Analytics |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2025 |
| Title: | Exploring the Nature of Malignant Phyllodes Tumor with Comparison to Metaplastic Breast Carcinoma and Primary Breast Sarcoma |
| Funding Source: | 2023 Andrew Sabin Family Fellowship Award |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2021 - 2022 |
| Title: | Defining Immunophenotypes of Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ in Black Women |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Quasi Endowment Community Outreach and Engagement Fund |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2021 - 2022 |
| Title: | Siglecs Expression in Breast Cancer and its Association with PD-1, PD-L1, and Patient Clinical Outcome |
| Funding Source: | Harris County Hospital District Small Grants |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2019 - 2022 |
| Title: | faculty start-up funds |
| Funding Source: | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2013 - 2016 |
| Title: | The Role of CD8+ Cytotoxic and FOXP3 Regulatory T cell Infiltration in Breast Cancer Tissue and Sentinel Lymph Nodes and Their Association with SIRT1 |
| Funding Source: | Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center McGovern Medical School |
| Role: | PI |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 19, 2025