Yan Zhou, MD
Department of Hospital Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Hospital Medicine, University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2000 | Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, US, Oncological Pharmacology, Ph.D |
| 1992 | Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, CN, Clinical Pharmacology, M.S |
| 1989 | Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, CN, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2012-2014 | Clinical Fellowship, Hem/Onc, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas |
| 2010-2012 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine Mountain Home VA Medical Center, Tri-City, Tennessee |
| 2009-2010 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Tri-city, Tennessee |
| 2007-2008 | Externship, Internal Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Houston |
| 2001-2004 | Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas |
| 1997-2000 | Joint-Pre-doctoral Fellow, MD Anderson, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, MD Anderson, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2014 | Board Certified, Medical Oncology |
| 2013 | Texas Medical Board |
| 2012 | Board Certified, Internal Medicine |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Assistant Professor, The Clinical Trial Institute/Cancer Center Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 1992 - 1999
Other Professional Positions
Medical Oncologist/Hematologist, Houston Cancer Institute, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2022
Research Associate, East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, Tri-city, TN, 2008 - 2009
Research Scientist, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2004 - 2008
Honors & Awards
| 2020 - 2022 | Top Oncologist, Top Doctor Magazine |
| 2001 | Outstanding Oral Presentation, SCBA- Texas Annual Symposium by SCBA-Texas Chapter |
| 1998 | Outstanding Teaching Award, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences |
| 1997 | Teaching Achievement Award, Guangdong Province |
| 1988 | Excellent Medical Student Scholarship (top 1), Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Regional Presentations
- 2025. Improving the prescription rate of Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis among hospitalized cancer patients prescribed glucocorticoids for immune-checkpoint inhibitor induced toxicity, US.
- 2024. Baseline prescription rate of Pneumocystis Jirovencii Pneumonia prophylaxis for cancer patients on glucocorticoids for Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitor induced toxicity at hospital discharge, US.
- 2014. Prophylaxis for opiate induced constipation in cancer patients. Conference. Prophylaxis for opiate induced constipation in cancer patients, US.
- 2014. Early referral of acute leukemia patient to oncology QI project. Conference. Early referral of acute leukemia patient to oncology QI project, US.
- 2009. Potentiation of cisplatin cytotoxicity by beta-phenylethyl isothiocyanate in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Conference. Potentiation of cisplatin cytotoxicity by beta-phenylethyl isothiocyanate in cholangiocarcinoma cells, US.
- 2009. OSW-1 induces calcium-dependent apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma (Abst # 1842). Conference. OSW-1 induces calcium-dependent apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma (Abst # 1842), US.
- 2004. OSW-1, A Potent Natural Anticancer Agent Inducing Apoptosis with Unique Action Mechanism. Conference. OSW-1, A Potent Natural Anticancer Agent Inducing Apoptosis with Unique Action Mechanism, US.
- 2003. Enhancement Dug-induced Apoptosis in Cancer Cells Through an ROS-mediated Mechanism. Conference. Enhancement Dug-induced Apoptosis in Cancer Cells Through an ROS-mediated Mechanism, US.
- 2002. Correlation between Superoxide Generation and Cellular Response to Anticancer Agent 2-Methoxyestradiol in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells. Conference. Correlation between Superoxide Generation and Cellular Response to Anticancer Agent 2-Methoxyestradiol in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells, US.
- 2001. Action of (E)-2’-Deoxy-2’-(fluoromethylene)-cytidine on DNA Metabolism: Incorporation, Excision, and Cellular Response. Conference. Action of (E)-2’-Deoxy-2’-(fluoromethylene)-cytidine on DNA Metabolism: Incorporation, Excision, and Cellular Response, US.
- 2001. Action of (E)-2’-Deoxy-2’-(fluoromethylene)-cytidine on DNA Metabolism: Incorporation, Excision, and Cellular Response. Conference. Action of (E)-2’-Deoxy-2’-(fluoromethylene)-cytidine on DNA Metabolism: Incorporation, Excision, and Cellular Response, US.
International Presentations
- 2024. Helicobacter pylori infection and response of gastric cancer to immunotherapy Peer-reviewed conference abstract poster. Chicago, US.
- 1998. Determination of Acetyltransferase Activity of Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells in Culture. Conference. Determination of Acetyltransferase Activity of Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells in Culture, CN.
- 1998. Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Simvastatin in 10 Chinese Young Men. Conference. Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Simvastatin in 10 Chinese Young Men, CN.
- 1996. Comparison of Steady State Plasma Concentration of Ibuprofen of Two Kinds of Preparations. Conference. Comparison of Steady State Plasma Concentration of Ibuprofen of Two Kinds of Preparations, CN.
- 1992. Mechanism of Acetylation Rate Elevation at Mammary Tumor-bearing Status. Conference. Mechanism of Acetylation Rate Elevation at Mammary Tumor-bearing Status, CN.
- 1992. Mechanism of Acetylation Rate Elevation at Mammary Tumor-bearing Status. Conference. Mechanism of Acetylation Rate Elevation at Mammary Tumor-bearing Status, CN.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Shatila, M, Abdul-baki, K, Urias Rivera, AC, Takigawa, K, Lee, IA, Sullivan, A, Gupta, T, Lu, L, Menon, R, Khan, A, Salim, H, Baerman, E, Cruz, CC, Natha, C, Vemulapalli, V, Coleman, G, Varatharajalu, K, Fan, C, Okhuysen, PC, Olszanski, AJ, Zhou, Y, Zhang, HC, Shafi, MA, Wang, Y. Gastrointestinal Infection Before Immune Checkpoint Inhibition Hinders Treatment Efficacy and Increases the Risk of Colitis. Cancer medicine 14(15), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40785196.
- Rivera AU, Olszanski AJ, Baerman E, Zhang HC, Lee IJ, Varatharajalu K, Takigawa K, Okhuysen P, Sullivan A, Khan A, Cruz CC, Fan C, Natha C, Coleman G, Salim H, Abdul-Baki K, Lu L, Shatila M, Shafi M, Menon R, Gupta T, Vemulapalli V, Zhou Y, Wang Y. Gastrointestinal infection before immune checkpoint inhibition hinders treatment efficacy and increases the risk of colitis. Cancer Medicine, 2025.
- Shatila M, Sperling G, Machado AP, Vohra M, Baerman E, De Toni EN, Torok HP, Zhao D, Zhou Y, et al.. Helicobacter pylori infection negatively affects response of gastric cancer to immunotherapy. Annals of Gastroenterology 38(3):262-269, 2025. e-Pub 2025.
- Wang Y, Shatila M, Sperling G, Machado AP, Vohra M, Baerman E, De Toni EN, Torok HP, Zhao D, Zhou Y, et al.. Helicobacter pylori infection and response of gastric cancer to immunotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. (2024 ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium) 42(3):277, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
- Sperling G, Shatila M, Varatharajalu K, Lu Y, Altan M, Zhou Y et al. Pneumatosis Intestinalis in Cancer Patients who received Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 149(19):17597-17605, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Pizuorno Machado A, Shatila M, Glitza Oliva IC, Altan M, Siddiqui B, Zhou Y, Varatharajalu K, Zhang HC, Thomas A, Wang Y. Impact of Selective Immunosuppressive Therapy on Subsequent Immune-Related Adverse Events After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis Treatment. Am J Clin Oncol 46(8):360-365, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Machado A, Shatila M, De Toni E, Török HP, Philpott J, Zhao D, Zhou Y et al. Colon Adenoma after Diagnosis of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Mediated Colitis. Journal of Cancer 14(14):2686-2693, 2023. e-Pub 2023.
- Hu Y, Lu W, Chen G, Wang P, Chen Z, Zhou Y. K-ras(G12V) transformation leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and a metabolic switch from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. Cell Research 22(2):399-412, 2021. e-Pub 2021.
- Jana, B R P, Zhou, Y. Novel molecular targets for the therapy of urothelial cancer. Anticancer Research 35(9):4457-4568, 2015. e-Pub 2015.
- Garcia-Prieto C, Riaz Ahmed KB, Chen Z, Zhou Y et al. Effective Killing of Leukemia Cells by the Natural Product OSW-1 through Disruption of Cellular Calcium Homeostasis. Journal of Biological Chemistry 288(5):3240-3250, 2013. e-Pub 2013.
- Zhou Y, Zhou Y, et al SK. Metabolic alterations in highly tumorigenic glioblastoma cells: preference for hypoxia and high dependency on glycolysis. Journal of Biological Chemistry(286):32843-32853, 2011. e-Pub 2011.
- Pelicano H, Lu W, Zhou Y, et al. Mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species imbalance promote breast cancer cell motility through a CXCL14-mediated mechanism. Cancer Research 69(6):2375-2383, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Leng X, Lin H, Ding T, Wang Y, Wu Y, Klumpp S, Sun T, Zhou Y. Lipocalin 2 is required for BCR-ABL-induced tumorigenesis. Oncogene 27(47):6110, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Leng X, Lin H, Ding T, Wang Y, Wu Y, Klumpp S, Sun T, Zhou Y. Effective elimination of fludarabine-resistant CLL cells by PEITC through a redox-mediated mechanism. Blood 112(5):1912-1922, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Trachootham D, Zhou, Y, Zhang H. Selective killing of oncogenically transformed cells through a ROS mediated mechanism by b-phenylethyl isothiocyanate. Cancer Cell 10(3):241-252, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Zhou, Y, Garcia-Prieto C, Carney DA. OSW-1: a natural compound with potent anticancer activity and a novel mechanism of action. J Natl Cancer Inst 97(23):1781-1785, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Hu Y, Rosen DG, Zhou Y. Mitochondrial Manganese-Superoxide Dismutase Expression in Ovarian Cancer: ROLE IN CELL PROLIFERATION AND RESPONSE TO OXIDATIVE STRESS. Journal of Biological Chemistry 280(47):39485-39492, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Xu RH, Pelicano H, Zhou Y. Inhibition of glycolysis in cancer cells: a novel strategy to overcome drug resistance associated with mitochondrial respiratory defect and hypoxia. Cancer Res 65(2):613-621, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Pelicano H, Feng L, Zhou Y, et al. “Inhibition of Mitochondrial Respiration: a novel strategy to enhance drug-induced apoptosis in human leukemia cells by a reactive oxygen species-mediated mechanism”. Journal of Biological Chemistry 278(39):37832-37829, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Carew JS, Zhou Y, Albitar M, et al. Mitochondrial DNA mutations in primary leukemia cells after chemotherapy: clinical significance and therapeutic implications. Leukemia 17(8):1437-1447, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Zhou Y, Hileman EO, Plunkett W, et al. Free radical stress in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and its role in cellular sensitivity to ROS-generating anticancer agents”. Blood 101(10):4098-4104, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Zhou Y, Achanta G, Pelicano H, et al. Action of (E)-2’-Deoxy-2’-(fluoro-methylene)-cytidine on DNA Metabolism: Incorporation, Excision, and Cellular Response. Mol Pharmacology 61(1):222-229, 2002. e-Pub 2002.
- Cai KH, Zheng WH, Zhou Y, et al. Analysis Method and Pharmacokinetics Studies of Simvastatin in Plasma. Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 27(11):1254-1257, 1999. e-Pub 1999.
- Zhou Y, Cai KH, Zeng GX, et al. Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Simvastatin in 10 Chinese Young Men. Acta Pharmacological Sinica 20(1):95-96, 1999. e-Pub 1999.
- Zhou Y, Huang LH, Zeng GX, et. Bioavailability of Domestic Dispersing Tablet of Azithromycin in Chinese. Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 8(15):15-16, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
- Zhou Y, Zhao XL, Zeng GX, et al. Affecting Factors of the Hemostasis Effect of Thrombin on Upper Digestive Tract Bleeding. Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 14(2):127-129, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
- Zhou Y, Zhao XL. Determination of Acetyltransferase Activity of Human Mammary Tumor MCF-7 Cells in Culture. Foreign Medical Sciences (Cancer Section) 25(5):79, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
- Zhao XL, Huang LH, Feng X, Zhou Y. Comparison on Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Roxithromycin and Erythromycin Estolate. Chinese New Drugs Journal 7(2):134-137, 1998. e-Pub 1998.
- Zhou Y, Zhao XL. Mechanism of Acetylation Rate Elevation at Mammary Tumor-bearing Status. Chinese J. of Cancer 12(6):494-496, 1994. e-Pub 1994.
- Zhao XL, He JY, Huang M, Zhou Y. Phase I Clinical Trial of Domestic Lomefloxacin. Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 10(2):82-86, 1994. e-Pub 1994.
Book Chapters
- Carew JS, Zhou Y, Huang P. Oxidative stress, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. In: Oxidative Stress, Disease and Cancer, Ch. 9 309-332, 2006.
- Zhou Y. Multiple Myeloma. In: Oncology Hospitalist Medicine Textbook, Submitted.
- Sperling G, Shatila M, Zhao D, Zhou Y, Wang YH. Pouchitis Post Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy. In: Challenging Cases in Immunotherapy Related Organ Toxicities. 2025; Chapter: Gastroenterology; pp 149–157.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified December 19, 2025