Zhihong Zeng, MD, MS, MSE
Department of Hematopoietic Biology & Malignancy, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Zhihong Zeng
Dr. Zeng is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Leukemia where her research focuses on drug-resistant mechanisms mediated by leukemic microenvironment and inhibitor-triggered compensatory survival signaling. Utilizing high-throughput technologies, she has investigated leukemia-stroma interactions and studied anti-leukemia efficacy of several newly developed inhibitors. Currently she is investigating the combinatorial approaches and novel therapeutic strategies to overcome drug-resistance with the ultimate goal of increasing the AML cure rate.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Department of Leukemia - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2003 | Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA, MSE, Software Engineering in Computer Science |
| 1999 | Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA, MS, Biochemistry |
| 1993 | Jinan University Medical School, Guang Zhou, CHN, MD, Clinical Medicine |
Postgraduate Training
| 2003-2008 | Research Fellowship, Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX |
| 1994-1996 | Clinical Fellowship, Ophthalmology, University of California, Department of Ophthalmology, Irvine, CA |
| 1990-1993 | Clinical Internship, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, GuangDong Province Hospital, Guang Zhou |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Instructor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2011 - 2021
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Research Scientist, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2011
Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas State University, Computing and Information Science, Manhattan, KS, 2000 - 2003
Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas State University, Department of Biology, Manhattan, KS, 1999 - 2003
Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas State University, Department of Biochemistry, Manhattan, KS, 1996 - 1999
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Zeng Z, Maiti A, Herbrich S, Cai T, Cavazos A, Manzella T, Ma H, Hayes K, Matthews J, DiNardo CD, Daver NG, Konopleva MY. Triple combination targeting methyltransferase, BCL-2, and PD-1 facilitates antileukemia responses in acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer 129(4):531-540, 2023. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36477735.
- Zeng Z, Ly C, Daver N, Cortes J, Kantarjian HM, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. High-throughput proteomic profiling reveals mechanisms of action of AMG925, a dual FLT3-CDK4/6 kinase inhibitor targeting AML and AML stem/progenitor cells. Annals of hematology 100(2):1485-1496, 2021.
- Borthakur G, Zeng Z (co-first), Cortes JE, Chen HC, Huang X, Konopleva M, Ravandi F, Kadia T, Patel KP, Daver N, Kelly MA, McQueen T, Wang RY, Kantarjian H, Andreeff M. Phase 1 study of combinatorial sorafenib, G-CSF, and plerixafor treatment in relapsed/refractory, FLT3-ITD-mutated acute myelogenous leukemia patients. Am J Hematol 95(11):1296-1303, 2020. PMID: 32697348.
- Zeng Z, Liu W, Benton C, Konoplev S, Lu H, Wang RY, Chen J, Shpall E, Baggerly K, Champlin R, Konopleva M.. Proteomic profiling of signaling networks modulated by G-CSF/plerixafor/busulfan-fludarabine conditioning in acute myeloid leukemia patients in remission or with active disease prior to allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Acta Haematologica 142(3):176-184, 2019. PMID: 31112940.
- Ruvolo PP, Ruvolo VR, Burks JK, Qiu Y, Wang RY, Shpall EJ, Mirandola L, Hail N Jr, Zeng Z, McQueen T, Daver N, Post SM, Chiriva-Internati M, Kornblau SM, Andreeff M. Role of MSC-derived galectin 3 in the AML microenvironment. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 1865(7):959-969, 2018. PMID: 29655803.
- Kornblau SM, Ruvolo PP, Wang RY, Battula VL, Shpall EJ, Ruvolo VR, McQueen T, Qui Y, Zeng Z, Pierce S, Jacamo R, Yoo SY, Le PM, Sun J, Hail N Jr, Konopleva M, Andreeff M. Distinct protein signatures of acute myeloid leukemia bone marrow-derived stromal cells are prognostic for patient survival. Haematologica 103(5):810-821, 2018. PMID: 29545342.
- Zhang Q, Shi C, Han L, Jain N, Roberts KG, Ma H, Cai T, Cavazos A, Tabe Y, Jacamo RO, Mu H, Zhao Y, Wang J, Wu SC, Cao F, Zeng Z, Zhou J, Mi Y, Jabbour EJ, Levine R, Tasian SK, Mullighan CG, Weinstock DM, Fruman DA, Konopleva M.. Inhibition of mTORC1/C2 signaling improves anti-leukemia efficacy of JAK/STAT blockade in CRLF2 rearranged and/or JAK driven Philadelphia chromosome-like acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Oncotarget 9(8):8027-8041, 2018. PMID: 29487712.
- Zeng Z, Liu W, Tsao T, Qiu Y, Zhao Y, Samudio I, Sarbassov DD, Kornblau SM, Baggerly KA, Kantarjian HM, Konopleva M, Andreeff M. High-throughput profiling of signaling networks identifies mechanism-based combination therapy to eliminate microenvironmental resistance in acute myeloid leukemia. Haematologica 102(9):1537-1548, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28659338.
- Zhou H, Mak PY, Mu H, Mak DH, Zeng Z, Cortes J, Liu Q, Andreeff M, Carter BZ. Combined inhibition of β-catenin and Bcr-Abl synergistically targets tyrosine kinase inhibitor-resistant blast crisis chronic myeloid leukemia blasts and progenitors in vitro and in vivo. Leukemia 31(10):2065-2074. e-Pub 2017.
- Ragon BK, Kantarjian H, Jabbour E, Ravandi F, Cortes J, Borthakur G, DeBose L, Zeng Z, Schneider H, Pemmaraju N, Garcia-Manero G, Kornblau S, Wierda W, Burger J, DiNardo CD, Andreeff M, Konopleva M, Daver N. Buparlisib, a PI3K Inhibitor, Demonstrates Acceptable Tolerability and Preliminary Activity in a Phase I Trial of Patients with Advanced Leukemias. Am J Hematol 92(1):7-11. e-Pub 2016.
- Zeng Z, Wang RY, Qiu YH, Mak DH, Coombes K, Yoo SY, Zhang Q, Jessen K, Liu Y, Rommel C, Fruman DA, Kantarjian HM, Kornblau SM, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. MLN0128, a novel mTOR kinase inhibitor, disrupts survival signaling and triggers apoptosis in AML and AML stem/ progenitor cells. Oncotarget 7(34):55083-55097. e-Pub 2016.
- Ishizawa J, Kojima K, Chachad D, Ruvolo P, Ruvolo V, Jacamo RO, Borthakur G, Mu H, Zeng Z, Tabe Y, Allen JE, Wang Z, Ma W, Lee HC, Orlowski R, Sarbassov dos D, Lorenzi PL, Huang X, Neelapu SS, McDonnell T, Miranda RN, Wang M, Kantarjian H, Konopleva M, Davis RE, Andreeff M. ATF4 induction through an atypical integrated stress response to ONC201 triggers p53-independent apoptosis in hematological malignancies. Sci Signal 9(415):ra17, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26884599.
- Cho BS, Zeng Z, Mu H, Wang Z, Konoplev S, McQueen T, Protopopova M, Cortes J, Marszalek JR, Peng SB, Ma W, Davis RE, Thornton DE, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Antileukemia activity of the novel peptidic CXCR4 antagonist LY2510924 as monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy. Blood 126(2):222-32, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26031918.
- Konopleva M, Benton CB, Thall PF, Zeng Z, Shpall E, Ciurea S, Kebriaei P, Alousi A, Popat U, Anderlini P, Nieto Y, Parmar S, Qiao W, Chen J, Rondon G, McMullin B, Wang RY, Lu H, Schober W, Woodworth G, Gulbis A, Cool R, Andreeff M, Champlin R. Leukemia cell mobilization with G-CSF plus plerixafor during busulfan-fludarabine conditioning for allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 50(7):939-46, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25867648.
- Daver N, Boumber Y, Kantarjian H, Ravandi F, Cortes J, Rytting ME, Kawedia JD, Basnett J, Culotta KS, Zeng Z, Lu H, Richie MA, Garris R, Xiao L, Liu W, Baggerly KA, Jabbour E, O'Brien S, Burger J, Bendall LJ, Thomas D, Konopleva M. A Phase I/II Study of the mTOR Inhibitor Everolimus in Combination with HyperCVAD Chemotherapy in Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 21(12):2704-14, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25724525.
- Han L, Qiu P, Zeng Z (2nd), Jorgensen JL, Mak DH, Burks JK, Schober W, McQueen TJ, Cortes J, Tanner SD, Roboz GJ, Kantarjian HM, Kornblau SM, Guzman ML, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Single-cell mass cytometry reveals intracellular survival/proliferative signaling in FLT3-ITD-mutated AML stem/progenitor cells. Cytometry A 87(4):346-56, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25598437.
- Beagle BR, Nguyen DM, Mallya S, Tang SS, Lu M, Zeng Z, Konopleva M, Vo TT, Fruman DA. mTOR kinase inhibitors synergize with histone deacetylase inhibitors to kill B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. Oncotarget 6(4):2088-100, 2015. PMID: 25576920.
- Ruvolo PP, Ruvolo VR, Jacamo R, Burks JK, Zeng Z, Duvvuri SR, Zhou L, Qiu Y, Coombes KR, Zhang N, Yoo SY, Pan R, Hail N, Konopleva M, Calin G, Kornblau SM, Andreeff M. The protein phosphatase 2A regulatory subunit B55α is a modulator of signaling and microRNA expression in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Biochim Biophys Acta 1843(9):1969-77, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24858343.
- Konopleva MY, Walter RB, Faderl SH, Jabbour EJ, Zeng Z, Borthakur G, Huang X, Kadia TM, Ruvolo PP, Feliu JB, Lu H, Debose L, Burger JA, Andreeff M, Liu W, Baggerly KA, Kornblau SM, Doyle LA, Estey EH, Kantarjian HM. Preclinical and early clinical evaluation of the oral AKT inhibitor, MK-2206, for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 20(8):2226-35, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 24583795.
- Benito J, Zeng Z, Konopleva M, Wilson WR. Targeting hypoxia in the leukemia microenvironment. Int J Hematol Oncol(4):279-288, 2013. PMID: 24490034.
- Vélez J, Hail N, Konopleva M, Zeng Z, Kojima K, Samudio I, Andreeff M. Mitochondrial uncoupling and the reprograming of intermediary metabolism in leukemia cells. Front Oncol 3:67, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23565503.
- Tabe Y, Shi YX, Zeng Z , Jin L, Shikami M, Hatanaka Y, Miida T, Hsu FJ, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. TGF-β-Neutralizing Antibody 1D11 Enhances Cytarabine-Induced Apoptosis in AML Cells in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment. PLoS One 8(6):e62785, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23826077.
- Zeng Z, Shi YX, Tsao T, Qiu Y, Kornblau SM, Baggerly KA, Liu W, Jessen K, Liu Y, Kantarjian H, Rommel C, Fruman DA, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Targeting of mTORC1/2 by the mTOR kinase inhibitor PP242 induces apoptosis in AML cells under conditions mimicking the bone marrow microenvironment. Blood 120(13):2679-89, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22826565.
- Konopleva M, Tabe Y, Zeng Z, Andreeff M. Therapeutic targeting of microenvironmental interactions in leukemia: mechanisms and approaches. Drug Resist Updat 12(4-5):103-13, 2009. e-Pub 2009. PMID: 19632887.
- Zeng Z, Shi YX, Samudio IJ, Wang RY, Ling X, Frolova O, Levis M, Rubin JB, Negrin RR, Estey EH, Konoplev S, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Targeting the leukemia microenvironment by CXCR4 inhibition overcomes resistance to kinase inhibitors and chemotherapy in AML. Blood 113(24):6215-24, 2009. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18955566.
- Ling X, Konopleva M, Zeng Z, Ruvolo V, Stephens LC, Schober W, McQueen T, Dietrich M, Madden TL, Andreeff M. The novel triterpenoid C-28 methyl ester of 2-cyano-3, 12-dioxoolen-1, 9-dien-28-oic acid inhibits metastatic murine breast tumor growth through inactivation of STAT3 signaling. Cancer Res 67(9):4210-8, 2007. PMID: 17483332.
- Zeng Z, Sarbassov dos D, Samudio IJ, Yee KW, Munsell MF, Ellen Jackson C, Giles FJ, Sabatini DM, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Rapamycin derivatives reduce mTORC2 signaling and inhibit AKT activation in AML. Blood 109(8):3509-12, 2007. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17179228.
- Zeng Z, Samudio IJ, Munsell M, An J, Huang Z, Estey E, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Inhibition of CXCR4 with the novel RCP168 peptide overcomes stroma-mediated chemoresistance in chronic and acute leukemias. Mol Cancer Ther 5(12):3113-21, 2006. PMID: 17172414.
- Yee KW, Zeng Z, Konopleva M, Verstovsek S, Ravandi F, Ferrajoli A, Thomas D, Wierda W, Apostolidou E, Albitar M, O'Brien S, Andreeff M, Giles FJ. Phase I/II study of the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus (RAD001) in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. Clin Cancer Res 12(17):5165-73, 2006. PMID: 16951235.
- Zeng Z, Samudio IJ, Zhang W, Estrov Z, Pelicano H, Harris D, Frolova O, Hail N, Chen W, Kornblau SM, Huang P, Lu Y, Mills GB, Andreeff M, Konopleva M. Simultaneous inhibition of PDK1/AKT and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 signaling by a small-molecule KP372-1 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in acute myelogenous leukemia. Cancer Res 66(7):3737-46, 2006. PMID: 16585200.
- Kojima K, Konopleva M, Samudio IJ, Shikami M, Cabreira-Hansen M, McQueen T, Ruvolo V, Tsao T, Zeng Z, Vassilev LT, Andreeff M. MDM2 antagonists induce p53-dependent apoptosis in AML: implications for leukemia therapy. Blood 106(9):3150-9, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16014563.
- Andreeff M, Milella M, Carter BZ, Tabe Y, Ricciardi MR, Sneed T, Ruvolo P, Contractor R, Tsao T, Schober W, Evans R, McQueen T, Zeng Z, Kornblau SM, McCubrey J, Estey E, Mills GB, Reed JC, Konopleva M. Targeted therapy of AML new concepts. Ann Hematol 83(Suppl 1):S51-3, 2004.
- Clark KL, Zeng Z, Langford AL, Bowen SM, Todd SC. PGRL is a major CD81-associated protein on lymphocytes and distinguishes a new family of cell surface proteins. J Immunol 167(9):5115-21, 2001.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2022 - Present |
| Title: | Co-targeting DHODH, BCL-2 and methyltransferases in AML: Inducing cell death and differentiation in AML |
| Funding Source: | MD Anderson Cancer Center |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Date: | 2021 - 2022 |
| Title: | Co-targeting DHODH, BCL-2 and methyltransferases in AML: Inducing cell death and differentiation in AML |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| ID: | P50 CA100632 - CEP |
| Date: | 2020 - 2021 |
| Title: | Targeting leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor B4 signaling in AML |
| Funding Source: | Immune-Onc Therapeutics, Inc |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Date: | 2019 - Present |
| Title: | Preclinical evaluation of CD123-targeting immune cell engagers for treatment of AML |
| Funding Source: | Ablynx a Sanofi company |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Date: | 2018 - 2021 |
| Title: | T cell engaging Nanoantibodies for treatment of AML |
| Funding Source: | Ablynx NV |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Date: | 2018 - 2021 |
| Title: | Targeting DHODH in AML |
| Funding Source: | Agios |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Date: | 2014 - 2015 |
| Title: | Identifying compensatory activation of targetable pro-survival pathways upon mTORC1/2 inhibition: rationale for combinatorial multi-targeted approaches in AML therapy |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| ID: | P50 CA100632 - CDA |
| Date: | 2013 - 2014 |
| Title: | Investigating the molecular mechanisms of microenvironment-mediated drug resistance in leukemia stem cells by CyTOF mass cytometry |
| Funding Source: | Ladies Leukemia League |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Date: | 2012 - 2013 |
| Title: | Investigating the Molecular Mechanisms of Bone Marrow Stromal-mediated Drug Resistance in Leukemia |
| Funding Source: | BD Biosciences |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Date: | 2012 - 2016 |
| Title: | Identifying the cellular hierarchy and drug response of AML using cytometric data |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Research Scientist |
| ID: | 1 R01 CA163481-01A1 |
| Date: | 2011 - 2015 |
| Title: | Targeting AKT signaling in AML |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| ID: | 5 R21 CA159285-02 |
| Date: | 2010 - 2014 |
| Title: | Combined inhibition of CXCR4 and FLT3-ITD signaling in acute myeloid leukemias |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Research Scientist |
| ID: | 5 R21CA143805-02 |
| Date: | 2009 - 2014 |
| Title: | Plerixafor/G-CSF with Sorafinib for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia with FLT3-ITD Mutations |
| Funding Source: | Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
| Role: | Research Scientist |
| ID: | 5 R01FD003733 |
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified February 01, 2024