Wantong Yao, MD., PhD.
Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology-Lab Medicine Div
About Dr. Wantong Yao
I am a dedicated scientist in the Department of Translational Molecular Pathology at MD Anderson Cancer Center, focusing on cancer biology and therapy discovery. My research leverages pancreatic cancer as a model to identify therapeutic targets with potential applicability across malignancies. My laboratory combines rigorous benchwork, data analysis, and collaborative efforts to drive translational research from discovery to clinical impact. As a mentor and leader, I am committed to fostering innovation, guiding aspiring researchers, and advancing scientific inquiry to improve patient outcomes.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Research Interests
My research is focused on exploring the basic and translational problems of pancreatic cancer (PDAC) and soft tissue sarcoma, with an ultimate goal of improving treatment, diagnosis and prevention for patients. My laboratory is geared towards identifying accessible therapeutic targets for oncogenic signaling and function, with a specific focus on studying the cell surfaceome. We further aim to gain deep molecular insights into the complicated array of oncogene driven tumorigenic events to discover novel therapeutic approaches that targets mechanism essential for cancer cell survival.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2012 | Fudan University, Shanghai, CN, Ph.D |
| 2006 | Shandong First Medical University, Taian, Shandong, CN, M.D |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2016 | Postdoctoral Fellow/Odyssey Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2018 - 2024
Instructor, Genomic Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2018
Assistant Professor, Pancreas Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Hospital,, Shanghai, 2011 - 2012
Other Professional Positions
Reviewer, Career Growth and Research Excellence, American Cancer Society, 2024 - Present
Reviewer, Cancer Cell Biology (CCB), American Cancer Society, 2023 - 2028
Ad Hoc Member, Mechanisms of Cancer Therapeutics B – MCTB, NIH/NCI MCT2 Study Section, Bethesda, MD, 2022 - 2022
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Interview Panel Member, GSBS Kopchick Interview Committee, The University of Texas, 2025 - Present
Committee Member, GSBS Academic Stands Committee (ASC), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Cancer Biology Program Community Building Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Faculty Representative, SCRB5 Planning Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Reviewer, Institutional Research Grant (IRG) Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Reviewer, Faculty Academic Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2019 - Present
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, GSBS Curriculum Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2021 - 2025
Editorial Activities
Editor, Cancer Letters, 2023 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 - 2025 | Shelby-Lavine Pancreatic Scholar, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2023 | DPLM Faculty Recognition Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Division of Pathology |
| 2022 | ITERT Outstanding Mentorship Award, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2022 | Research Scholar Award, American Cancer Society |
| 2022 | NCI Young Investigator MERIT Award, NIH/NCI |
| 2020 | CCSG Award Nominee, CCSG |
| 2019 | Provost’s Wall of Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2019 | Rising STARs Award, The University of Texas |
| 2019 | CCSG Award Nominee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2018 | Pathway to Leadership Award-Independent Phase, PanCAN |
| 2017 | Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, Hirshberg Foundation |
| 2016 | Pathway to Leadership Award-Mentor Phase, AACR-PanCAN |
| 2015 | The Anne Eastland Spears Fellowship in GI Cancer Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2015 | Poster Award 1st Place, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Genomic Medicine |
| 2015 | SCBA Travel Award, SCBA |
| 2014 | Odyssey Fellow, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2014 | Theodore N. Law Endowment for Scientific Achievement, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| 2011 | Shanghai Outstanding Graduate, Shanghai |
| 2010 | Shanghai Orientalist Award, Shanghai |
| 2007 - 2009 | Academic Award 1st Place, Fudan University |
| 2005 - 2006 | Academic Award 1st Place, Shangdong First Medical University |
| 2004 | Academic Award 1st Place, Shandong First Medical University |
| 2004 | Outstanding Clinic Intern, Shandong First Medical Univeristy Affiliated Hospital |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2025. Commercialization Perspective of Anti-Syndecan1 Therapeutic Antibody. Panelist. 2025 Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT). Houston, US.
- 2025. Targeting Syndecan1 in Pancreatic Cancer: From Discovery to Antibody Development. Invited. Shelby Lavine Pancreatic Cancer Research Synposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2024. Targeting Syndecan1 in Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. Shelby Lavine Pancreatic Cancer Research Synposium. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Syndecan1 is a key mediator of Kras-driven pancreatic cancer. Invited. MCO Distinguished Scientist Seminar Series. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. Syndecan 1 is a Key Mediator of Kras Driven Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. TMP Retreat: Targeting Cancer from Bench to Bedside. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2020. Syndecan-1 is a novel regulator for nutrient salvage pathway. Invited. CCSG GI Program Seminar Series. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Exploring KRAS Biology and Targeted Therapies in Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. Tulane Cancer Center Seminar Series (Translational Oncology Program). New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2023. Embracing Hope: Advancing Understanding Towards a Cure for Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. Integrative Biology and Pharmacology Seminar Series, US.
- 2020. The role of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan in Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. SCC Research Excellence Seminar, US.
- 2018. A Multidimentional Surfaceome Analysis Identifies Syndecan1 as a Critical Mediator of KRAS- Driven Pancreatic Cancer. Invited, US.
- 2018. Unveiling the Function and Evolution of KRAS Signaling. Invited, US.
National Presentations
- 2023. Targeting Acquired Resistance to KRAS Targeted Therapy. Invited. Cancer Biomarkers in Vesicles & Beyond Conference. Houston, TX, US.
- 2020. Targeting Syndecan1 in Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. PanCAN/Bristol Myers Squibb Scientific Meeting, US.
- 2020. Syndecan1 is a novel regulator of nutrient salvage in pancreatic cancer. Invited. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Scientific Annual Meeting, US.
- 2019. Targeting Syndecan1 in Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Scientific Annual Meeting. Miami, FL, US.
- 2017. A Multidimentional Surfaceome Analysis Identified Syndecan1 Membrane Trafficking Required for Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Annual Scientific Meeting. San Diego, CA, US.
International Presentations
- 2025. Syndecan-1 is a Key Mediator of Entosis and Cellular Competition in Pancreatic Cancer. Poster. American Pancreatic Association (APA) Annual Meeting. San Diego, US.
- 2024. Syndecan 1 is a therapeutic target for KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer. Invited. AACR Special Conference: Pancreatic Cancer. Boston, US.
- 2024. Targeting Syndecan1 in Pancreatic Cancer: From Discovery to Antibody Development. Invited. American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting. Maui, US.
- 2023. Macropinocytosis. Invited. American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting. Orlando, US.
- 2022. The role of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan in Pancreatic Cancer. Invited. Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Proteoglycans. New Hampshire, US.
- 2022. Therapeutic potential of Syndecan1 in pancreatic cancer. Invited. Taiho Pharmaceutical and MD Anderson Cancer Center Face to Face (F2F meeting). Tokyo, JP.
- 2019. Syndecan1 is a novel regulator of nutrient salvage in pancreatic cancer. Invited. American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting. Maui, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - 2026 |
| Title: | Sarcoma Foundation of America |
| Funding Source: | Sarcoma Foundation of America |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | A novel Strategy of Targeting Autophagy in Pancreatic Cancer |
| Funding Source: | Shelby-Lavine Pancreatic Scholar |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2026 |
| Title: | A Novel Strategy of Targeting Transmembrane Protein to improve Kras-targeted Therapy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | R21CA2888804-01 |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Reinvigorating the immune response in pancreatic cancer_ |
| Funding Source: | Institutional Research Grant |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2026 |
| Title: | A Comprehensive and Integrated Platform of Liposarcoma Modeling: From Genomic Profiling to Therapeutic Identification |
| Funding Source: | Department of Defense (DOD) |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | FP00017729 W81XWH-22-RCRP-RCDA GRANT13723409 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2025 |
| Title: | Targeting Acquired Resistance to KRAS Inhibitors in Pancreatic Cancer |
| Funding Source: | US Department of Defense (DOD) |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | PA220245 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | A novel Therapeutic Strategy Targeting Pancreatic Cancer |
| Funding Source: | CPRIT |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | RP203350 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2027 |
| Title: | Targeting Acquired Resistance in KRAS Driven Cancers |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Investigator |
| ID: | R37CA272744-01 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2026 |
| Title: | Exploiting Macropinocytosis in Gastrointestinal Cancer |
| Funding Source: | American Cancer Society (ACS) |
| Role: | Investigator |
| Date: | 2021 - 2022 |
| Title: | Genomewide Therapeutic Target Screens in Novel Preclinical Models of Liposarcoma |
| Funding Source: | Sarcoma Foundation of America |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2020 - 2022 |
| Title: | Role of ARF6 guanine nucleotide exchange factor in nutrient salvage pathway of pancreatic cancer |
| Funding Source: | Institutional Research Grant (IRG |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2020 - 2023 |
| Title: | CPF1-guided in vivo genome-wide screen for discovery of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer |
| Funding Source: | US Department of Defense (DOD) |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2020 - 2022 |
| Title: | Investigation of Entosis in Pancreatic Cancer |
| Funding Source: | MDACC Moonshot Program |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2019 - 2022 |
| Title: | Translational Research Grant |
| Funding Source: | Pancreatic Cancer Action Network |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2019 - 2021 |
| Title: | STAR Award |
| Funding Source: | University of Texas |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2017 - 2018 |
| Title: | Seed Grant |
| Funding Source: | Hirshberg Foundation of Pancreatic Cancer Research |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2016 - 2022 |
| Title: | Pathway to Leadership Award |
| Funding Source: | AACR-PanCAN |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | 16-70-25-YAO |
| Date: | 2014 - 2016 |
| Title: | Odyssey Postdoctoral Fellowship |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Yang, Z, Theardy, MS, Chen, S, Wei, Y, Takeda, M, Zeng, Y, Wang, X, Yao, J, Li, J, Thirasastr, P, Park, J, Zheng, Y, Vien, LT, Wani, K, Wang, H, Gao, S, Heffernan, TP, Kwong, L, Wistuba, II, Bover, L, Draetta, G, Ying, H, Yao, W. Syndecan-1-targeted therapeutic antibody impairs macropinocytosis and elicits antitumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. Cell Reports Medicine 7(2), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41707651.
- Treekitkarnmongkol, W, Katayama, H, Sankaran, D, Tai, MC, Rauth, S, Chen, H, Nguyen, T, Kobayashi, K, Thege, F, Ponnusamy, MP, Batra, SK, Wang, H, Wistuba, II, Schmittgen, TD, Heymach, JV, Kopetz, S, Hu, T, Yao, W, Maitra, A, Sen, S. RASH3D19 mediates RAS activation through a positive feedback loop in KRAS-mutant cancer. Nature cell biology 28(1):197-206, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41326795.
- Wei, Y, Liu, M, Yen, EY, Yao, J, Xun, Z, Nguyen, P, Wang, X, Yang, Z, Yousef, A, Pan, D, Jin, Y, Li, CF, Theardy, MS, Park, J, Cai, Y, Takeda, M, Vasquez, M, Park, EM, Peng, D, Zhou, Y, Zhao, H, Heffernan, TP, Viale, A, Wang, H, Watowich, SS, Liang, H, Zhao, D, DePinho, RA, Yao, W, Ying, H. KRAS Inhibition Activates an Actionable CD24 "Do Not Eat Me" Signal in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Research 85(23):4825-4838, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40966362.
- Li K, Li C, Umeda S, Kappagantula RL, Paku M, Zeng Y, Christine ID, Yao W. Cite Share Favorites Permissions ORIGINAL ARTICLE Syndecan-1 is a Key Mediator of Entosis and Cellular Competition in Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreas, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40952410.
- Theardy, MS, Takeda, M, Sorokin, A, Chen, S, Yang, Z, Wang, X, Kanikarla, PM, Coker, O, Nguyen, P, Wei, Y, Yao, J, Yan, L, Jin, Y, Cai, Y, Paku, M, Chen, Z, Li, KZ, Citron, F, Tomihara, H, Gao, S, Deem, AK, Zhao, J, Wang, H, Hanash, S, DePinho, RA, Maitra, A, Draetta, G, Ying, H, Kopetz, S, Yao, W. Therapeutic targeting of syndecan-1 axis overcomes acquired resistance to KRAS-targeted therapy in gastrointestinal cancers. Cell Reports Medicine 6(8), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40713971.
- Takeda M, Theardy M, Sorokin A, Coker O Kanikaria P, Chen S, Yang Z, Nguyen P, Wei Y, Yao J, Yan L, Jin Y, Cai Y, Paku M, Chen Z, Li KZ, Citron F, Tomihara H, Gao S, Deem A, Zhao J, Wang H, Hanash S, Depinho RA, Maitra A, Draetta GF, Ying H, Kopetz S, Yao W. Therapeutic targeting of Syndecan-1 axis overcomes acquired resistance to KRAS-targeted therapy in gastrointestinal cancer. bioRxiv, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39211217.
- Arora N, Liang H, Yao W, Ying H, Liu J, Zhou Y. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 1 suppresses nanoclustering and function of KRAS. bioRxiv, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38853864.
- Wei Y, Liu M, Yen E, Yao J, Nguyen P, Wang X, Yang Z, Yousef A, Pan D, Jin Y, Theady M, Park J, Cai Y, Takeda M, Vasquez M, Zhou Y, Zhao H, Viale A, Wang H, Zhao D, Depinho RA, Yao W, Ying H. KRAS inhibition activates an actionable CD24 ‘don’t eat me’ signal in pancreatic cancer. bioRxiv, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37790498.
- Lv X, Lu X, Cao J, Luo Q, Ding Y, Peng F, Pataer A, Lu D, Han D, Malmberg E, Chan DW, Wang X, Savage SR, Mao S, Yu J, Peng F, Yan L, Meng H, Maneix L, Han Y, Chen Y, Yao W, Chang EC, Catic A, Lin X, Miles G, Huang P, Sun Z, Burt B, Wang H, Wang J, Yao QC, Zhang B, Roth JA, O’Malley B, Ellis MJ, Rimawi MF, Ying H, Xi C. Modulation of the proteostasis network promotes tumor resistance to oncogenic KRAS inhibitors. Science 381(6662), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37676964.
- Chen Z, Ho IL, Soeung M, Yen EY, Liu J, Yan L, Rose JL, Srinivasan S, Jiang S, Edward Chang Q, Feng N, Gay JP, Wang Q, Wang J, Lorenzi PL, Veillon LJ, Wei B, Weinstein, JN, Deem AK, Gao S, Genovese G, Viale A, Yao W, Lyssiotis CA, Marszaiek JR, Draetta GF, Ying H. Ether phospholipids are required for mitochondrial reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Nat Commun. 2023 Apr 17;14(1):2194. PMCID: PMC10110566 36.Lv X, Lu X, C. Nat Commun 14(1), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37069167.
- Hou P, Ma X, Yang Z, Zhang Q, Wu CJ, Li J, Tan L, Yao W, Yan L, Zhou X, Kimmelman AC, Lorenzi PL, Zhang J, Jiang S, Spring D, Wang YA, DePinho RA. USP21 deubiquitinase elevates macropinocytosis to enable oncogenic KRAS bypass in pancreatic cancer. Genes Dev 35(19-20):1327-1332, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34531315.
- Del Poggetto E, Ho IL, Balestrieri C, Yen EY, Zhang S, Citron F, Shah R, Corti D, Diaferia GR, Li CY, Loponte S, Carbone F, Hayakawa Y, Valenti G, Jiang S, Sapio L, Jiang H, Dey P, Gao S, Deem AK, Rose-John S, Yao W, Ying H, Rhim AD, Genovese G, Heffernan TP, Maitra A, Wang TC, Wang L, Draetta GF, Carugo A, Natoli G, Viale A. Epithelial memory of inflammation limits tissue damage while promoting pancreatic tumorigenesis. Science 373(6561):eabj0486, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34529467.
- Yan L, Tu B, Yao J, Gong J, Carugo A, Bristow CA, Wang Q, Zhu C, Dai B, Kang Y, Han L, Feng N, Jin Y, Fleming J, Heffernan TP, Yao W, Ying H. Targeting Glucose Metabolism Sensitizes Pancreatic Cancer to MEK Inhibition. Cancer Res 81(15):4054-4065, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 34117030.
- Rose JL, Srinivasan S, Yao W, Seth S, Peoples M, Machado A, Li C, Ho I, Lee JJ, Guerrero PA, Kim E, Syed M, Daniele JR, Deem A, Kim M, Bristow CA, Koay EJ, Genovese G, Viale A, Heffernan TP, Maitra A, Hart T, Carugo A, Draetta GF. Diversity Across the Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Disease Spectrum Revealed by Network-Anchored Functional Genomics. bioRxiv, 2020. e-Pub 2020.
- Kapoor A, Yao W, Ying H, Hua S, Liewen A, Wang Q, Zhong Y, Wu CJ, Sadanandam A, Hu B, Chang Q, Chu GC, Al-Khalil R, Jiang S, Xia H, Fletcher-Sananikone E, Lim C, Horwitz GI, Viale A, Pettazzoni P, Sanchez N, Wang H, Protopopov A, Zhang J, Heffernan T, Johnson RL, Chin L, Wang YA, Draetta G, DePinho RA. Yap1 Activation Enables Bypass of Oncogenic Kras Addiction in Pancreatic Cancer. Cell 179(5):1239, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31730860.
- Tu B, Yao J, Ferri-Borgogno S, Zhao J, Chen S, Wang Q, Yan L, Zhou X, Zhu C, Bang S, Chang Q, Bristow CA, Kang Y, Zheng H, Wang H, Fleming JB, Kim M, Heffernan TP, Draetta GF, Pan D, Maitra A, Yao W, Gupta S, Ying H. YAP1 oncogene is a context-specific driver for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. JCI Insight 4(21), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31557131.
- Liu J, Srinivasan S, Li CY, Ho IL, Rose J, Shaheen M, Wang G, Yao W, Deem A, Bristow C, Hart T, Draetta G. Pooled library screening with multiplexed Cpf1 library. Nat Commun 10(1):3144, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31316073.
- Yao W, Rose JL, Wang W, Seth S, Jiang H, Taguchi A, Liu J, Yan L, Kapoor A, Hou P, Chen Z, Wang Q, Nezi L, Xu Z, Yao J, Hu B, Pettazzoni PF, Ho IL, Feng N, Ramamoorthy V, Jiang S, Deng P, Ma GJ, Den P, Tan Z, Zhang SX, Wang H, Wang YA, Deem AK, Fleming JB, Carugo A, Heffernan TP, Maitra A, Viale A, Ying H, Hanash S, DePinho RA, Draetta GF. Syndecan 1 is a critical mediator of macropinocytosis in pancreatic cancer. Nature 568(7752):410-414, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 30918400.
- Carugo A, Genovese G, Seth S, Nezi L, Rose JL, Bossi D, Cicalese A, Shah PK, Viale A, Pettazzoni PF, Akdemir KC, Bristow CA, Robinson FS, Tepper J, Sanchez N, Gupta S, Estecio MR, Giuliani V, Dellino GI, Riva L, Yao W, Di Francesco ME, Green T, D'Alesio C, Corti D, Kang Y, Jones P, Wang H, Fleming JB, Maitra A, Pelicci PG, Chin L, DePinho RA, Lanfrancone L, Heffernan TP, Draetta GF. In Vivo Functional Platform Targeting Patient-Derived Xenografts Identifies WDR5-Myc Association as a Critical Determinant of Pancreatic Cancer. Cell Rep 16(1):133-147, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27320920.
- Wang G, Lu X, Dey P, Deng P, Wu CC, Jiang S, Fang Z, Zhao K, Konaparthi R, Hua S, Zhang J, Li-Ning-Tapia EM, Kapoor A, Wu CJ, Patel NB, Guo Z, Ramamoorthy V, Tieu TN, Heffernan T, Zhao D, Shang X, Khadka S, Hou P, Hu B, Jin EJ, Yao W, Pan X, Ding Z, Shi Y, Li L, Chang Q, Troncoso P, Logothetis CJ, McArthur MJ, Chin L, Wang YA, DePinho RA. Targeting YAP-Dependent MDSC Infiltration Impairs Tumor Progression. Cancer Discov 6(1):80-95, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26701088.
- Pettazzoni P, Viale A, Shah P, Carugo A, Ying H, Wang H, Genovese G, Seth S, Minelli R, Green T, Huang-Hobbs E, Corti D, Sanchez N, Nezi L, Marchesini M, Kapoor A, Yao W, Francesco ME, Petrocchi A, Deem AK, Scott K, Colla S, Mills GB, Fleming JB, Heffernan TP, Jones P, Toniatti C, DePinho RA, Draetta GF. Genetic events that limit the efficacy of MEK and RTK inhibitor therapies in a mouse model of KRAS-driven pancreatic cancer. Cancer Res 75(6):1091-101, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25736685.
- Viale A, Pettazzoni P, Lyssiotis CA, Ying H, Sánchez N, Marchesini M, Carugo A, Green T, Seth S, Giuliani V, Kost-Alimova M, Muller F, Colla S, Nezi L, Genovese G, Deem AK, Kapoor A, Yao W, Brunetto E, Kang Y, Yuan M, Asara JM, Wang YA, Heffernan TP, Kimmelman AC, Wang H, Fleming JB, Cantley LC, DePinho RA, Draetta GF. Oncogene ablation-resistant pancreatic cancer cells depend on mitochondrial function. Nature 514(7524):628-32, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25119024.
- Viale A, Pettazzoni P, Lyssiotis CA, Ying H, Sanchez N, Marchesini M, Carugo A, Green T, Seth S, Giuliani V, Kost-Alimova M, Muller F, Colla S, Nezi L, Genovese G, Kapoor A, Yao W, Brunetto E, Kang Y, Yuan M, Asara JM, Wang AY, Heffernan TP, Kimmelman A, Wang H, Fleming J, Cantley LC, DePinho RA, Draetta GF. Oncogene ablation-resistant pancreatic cancer cells depend on mitochondrial function. Nature 514:628-32, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25119024.
- Yao W, Ji S, Qin Y, Yang J, Xu J, Zhang B, Xu W, Liu J, Shi S, Liu L, Liu C, Long J, Ni Q, Li M, Yu X. Profilin-1 suppresses tumorigenicity in pancreatic cancer through regulation of the SIRT3-HIF1α axis. Mol Cancer 13:187, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25103363.
- Kapoor A, Yao W, Ying H, Hua S, Liewen A, Wang Q, Zhong Y, Wu CJ, Sadanandam A, Hu B, Chang Q, Chu GC, Al-Khalil R, Jiang S, Xia H, Fletcher-Sananikone E, Lim C, Horwitz GI, Viale A, Pettazzoni P, Sanchez N, Wang H, Protopopov A, Zhang J, Heffernan T, Johnson RL, Chin L, Wang YA, Draetta G, DePinho RA. Yap1 activation enables bypass of oncogenic Kras addiction in pancreatic cancer. Cell 158(1):185-197, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24954535.
- Li L, Wang M, Yu G, Chen P, Li H, Wei D, Zhu J, Xie L, Jia H, Shi J, Li C, Yao W, Wang Y, Gao Q, Jeong LS, Lee HW, Yu J, Hu F, Mei J, Wang P, Chu Y, Qi H, Yang M, Dong Z, Sun Y, Hoffman RM, Jia L. Overactivated neddylation pathway as a therapeutic target in lung cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 106(6):dju083, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24853380.
- Yao W, Wu J, Yu G, Wang R, Wang K, Li L, Chen P, Jiang Y, Cheng H, Lee H, Hoffman R, Jeong L, Jia L. Suppression of tumor angiogenesis by targeting protein neddylation pathway. Cell Death & Disease, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24525735.
- Li X, Li Z, Li N, Qi J, Fan K, Yin P, Zhao C, Liu Y, Yao W, Cai X, Wang L, Zha X. MAGI2 enhances the sensitivity of BEL-7404 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells to staurosporine-induced apoptosis by increasing PTEN stability. Int J Mol Med 32(2):439-47, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23754155.
- Xu J, Zhu W, Xu W, Cui X, Chen L, Ji S, Qin Y, Yao W, Liu L, Liu C, Long J, Li M, Yu X. Silencing of MBD1 reverses pancreatic cancer therapy resistance through inhibition of DNA damage repair. Int J Oncol 42(6):2046-52, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23588667.
- Zhao C, Yin P, Mei C, Li N, Yao W, Li X, Qi J, Fan K, Li Z, Wang L, Shi Y, Qiu S, Fan J, Zha X. Down-regulation of DNA methyltransferase 3B in staurosporine-induced apoptosis and its mechanism in human hepatocarcinoma cell lines. Mol Cell Biochem 376(1-2):111-9, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23397112.
- Xu J, Zhu W, Xu W, Yao W, Zhang B, Xu Y, Ji S, Liu C, Long J, Ni Q, Yu X. Up-regulation of MBD1 Promotes Pancreatic Cancer Cell Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Invasion by Epigenetic Down-regulation of E-cadherin. Curr Mol Med, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23331011.
- Yang J, Zhang Y, Cui X, Yao W, Yu X, Cen P, Hodges SE, Fisher WE, Brunicardi FC, Chen C, Yao Q, Li M. Gene profile identifies zinc transporters differentially expressed in normal human organs and human pancreatic cancer. Curr Mol Med, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23331012.
- Yao W, Liu C, Cheng H, Shi S, Cui X, Yang J, Chen L, Cai X, Lu Y, Wu C, Yao W, Qin Y, Liu L, Long J, Xu J, Li M, Yu X. MicroRNA-34b inhibits pancreatic cancer metastasis through repressing Smad3. Current Molecular Medicine:467-478, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 2305226.
- Yao W, Cai X, Liu C, Qin Y, Cheng H, Ji S, Xu W, Wu C, Chen T, Xu J, Long J, Fang Z, Qu B, Hoth M, Ni, Q, Zha X, Yu X. Profilin1 potentiates apoptosis induced by staurosporine in cancer cells. Curr Mol Med, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23331014.
- Yin P, Zhao C, Li Z, Mei C, Yao W, Liu Y, Li N, Qi J, Wang L, Shi Y, Qiu S, Fan J, Zha X. Sp1 is involved in regulation of cystathionine γ-lyase gene expression and biological function by PI3K/Akt pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Cell Signal 24(6):1229-40, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22360859.
- Yao W, Yu X, Fang Z, Yin P, Zhao C, Li N, Wang L, Li Z, Zha X. Profilin1 facilitates staurosporine-triggered apoptosis by stabilizing the integrin β1-actin complex in breast cancer cells. J Cell Mol Med 16(4):824-35, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 21692986.
- Ji S, Xu J, Zhang B, Yao W, Xu W, Wu W, Xu Y, Wang H, Ni Q, Hou H, Yu X. RGD-conjugated albumin nanoparticles as a novel delivery vehicle in pancreatic cancer therapy. Cancer Biol Ther 13(4):206-15, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22354009.
- Fang Z, Yao W, Xiong Y, Li J, Liu L, Shi L, Zhang W, Zhang C, Nie L, Wan J. Attenuated expression of HRH4 in colorectal carcinomas: a potential influence on tumor growth and progression. BMC Cancer 11:195:1-11, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21609450.
- Liu M, Yang Y, Wang C, Sun L, Mei C, Yao W, Liu Y, Shi Y, Qiu S, Fan J, Cai X, Zha X. The effect of epidermal growth factor receptor variant III on glioma cell migration by stimulating ERK phosphorylation through the focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway. Arch Biochem Biophys 502(2):89-95, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20650261.
- Mei C, Sun L, Liu Y, Yang Y, Cai X, Liu M, Yao W, Wang C, Li X, Wang L, Li Z, Shi Y, Qiu S, Fan J, Zha X. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of DNA methyltransferase 3B is regulated by phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. J Cell Biochem 111(1):158-67, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20506537.
- Fang Z, Yao W, Xiong Y, Zhang J, Liu L, Li J, Zhang C, Wan J. Functional elucidation and methylation-mediated downregulation of ITGA5 gene in breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468. J Cell Biochem 110(110(5)):1130-41, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20564209.
- Fang Z, Yao W, Fu Y, Wang LY, Li Z, Yang Y, Shi Y, Qiu S, Fan J, Zha X. Increased integrin alpha5beta1 heterodimer formation and reduced c-Jun expression are involved in integrin beta1 overexpression-mediated cell growth arrest. J Cell Biochem 109(2):383-95, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 19960514.
- Fang Z, Yao W, Fu Y, Wang LY, Li Z, Yang Y, Shi Y, Qiu S, Fan J, Zha X. Increased Integrin α5β1 Heterodimer Formation and Reduced c-Jun Expression Are Involved in Integrin β1 overexpression-mediated Cell Growth Arrest. J Cell Biochem(109(2)):383-95, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 19960514.
- Yang Y, Zhou F, Fang Z, Wang L, Li Z, Sun L, Wang C, Yao W, Cai X, Jin J, Zha X. Post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of PTEN by transforming growth factor-beta1. J Cell Biochem 106(6):1102-12, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19206163.
- Zhou H, Qian J, Wang J, Yao W, Liu C, Chen J, Cao X. Enhanced bioactivity of bone morphogenetic protein-2 with low dose of 2-N, 6-O-sulfated chitosan in vitro and in vivo. Biomaterials 30(9):1715-24, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19131102.
- Wang L, Li Z, Wang C, Yang Y, Sun L, Yao W, Cai X, Wu G, Zhou F, Zha X. E-cadherin decreased human breast cancer cells sensitivity to staurosporine by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression. Arch Biochem Biophys 481(1):116-22, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 18983973.
- Li Y, Sun L, Xu H, Fang Z, Yao W, Guo W, Rao J, Zha X. Angiopoietin-like protein 3 modulates barrier properties of human glomerular endothelial cells through a possible signaling pathway involving phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B and integrin alphaVbeta3. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 40(6):459-65, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18535744.
Invited Articles
- Yang Z, Chen S, Ying H, Yao W. Targeting syndecan-1: new opportunities in cancer therapy. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 323(1):C29-C45, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35584326.
- Yao W, Maitra A, Ying H. Recent insights into the biology of pancreatic cancer. EBioMedicine 53:102655, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32139179.
- Yan L, Raj P, Yao W, Ying H. Glucose Metabolism in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 11(10), 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31569510.
- Yao W, Maitra A. Hear Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells ROR. Cell 177(3):516-518, 2019. e-Pub 2019. PMID: 31002791.
- Ying H, Dey P, Yao W, Kimmelman AC, Draetta GF, Maitra A, DePinho RA. Genetics and biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Genes Dev 30(4):355-85, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26883357.
Review Articles
- Shi S, Yao W, Xu J, Long J, Liu C, Yu X. Combinational therapy: new hope for pancreatic cancer?. Cancer Lett 317(2):127-35, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22138436.
Abstracts
- Yao W, Takeda M, Theardy M, Chen S. Dual Targeting of KRAS and Nutrient Scavenging via SDC1 Inhibition Offers a Promising Therapeutic Strategy in Pancreatic Cancer. Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research - Emerging Science Driving Transformative Solutions, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Yao W, Li K. SYNDECAN-1 DRIVES ENTOSIS AND CELLULAR COMPETITION IN PANCREATIC CANCER. American Pancreatic Association Annual Meeting, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Yao W. A novel SDC1-targeted therapeutic antibody inhibits macropinocytosis and induces anti-tumor immunity in pancreatic cancer. AACR Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research, 2024.
- Yao W. Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies novel immunotherapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer. AACR Pancreatic Cancer, 2023.
Book Chapters
- Ying, H, Yao, W. The prospects of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. In: In Pancreatic Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Springer International Publishing, 269-281, 2022.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified July 22, 2026