Zhuo Zhang, Ph.D.
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2004 | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, US, Philosophy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ph.D |
| 2000 | Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, CN, Clinical Medical Sciences, Surgery, Ph.D |
| 1993 | Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, CN, Clinical Medical Sciences, B.M. (M.D. equivalent) |
Postgraduate Training
| 2008-2009 | Postdoctoral Researcher, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL |
| 2004-2008 | Postdoctoral Researcher, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Associate Scientist, Department of O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 2022 - 2024
Assistant Professor (non-tenure track), Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 2019 - 2024
Instructor, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 2017 - 2019
Instructor, Department of Neurosurgery,, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 2016
Assistant Professor (non-tenure track),, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 2009 - 2016
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, 2008 - 2009
Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 2004 - 2008
Research Assistant, Department of Pharmacology, Tianjin Acute Abdomen Institute of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 1997 - 2000
Resident Surgeon, Department of Second Surgery Department, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, 1993 - 2000
Honors & Awards
| 2023 | Finalists of Cancer Research Institute CLIP Award |
| 2022 | Featured Discovery, University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| 2022 | O'Neal Invests Grants, Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| 2011 | Representative of UAB for competing The Mary Kay Ash Foundation innovative grants |
| 2011 | Junior Faculty Development Award, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| 2008 | Finalists of “A” STAR Investigatorship, The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) |
| 2004 | Postdoctoral Traineeship Award, Department of Defense |
| 2004 | Award in recognition of academic excellence, University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| 2004 | Outstanding Graduate Student Award, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology |
| 2003 | Travel Award, University of Alabama at Birmingham |
| 1999 | ShiChuan Fellowship funded for excellent clinical researchers to study in Japan |
| 1993 | Wang KeChang Scholarship for academic excellent undergraduate students, Tianjin Medical University |
| 1988 - 1993 | Academic Excellence Awards in Every Semester, Tianjin Medical University |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2024. Tumoral epigenetic regulator RNF2 is a novel suppressor of anticancer immunity. Invited. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2021. RNF2 ablation reprograms the tumor-immune microenvironment and stimulates durable NK and CD4+ T cell-dependent anti-tumor immunity. Invited. Birmingham, Alabama, US.
- 2015. Integration of p53 pathway, epigenetic enzymes, DNA damage response with cancer therapy. Invited. Birmingham, Alabama, US.
- 2007. Tumorigenicity of the MDM2 oncogene, beyond p53. Invited. Birmingham, Alabama, US.
- 2002. The role of MDM2 oncogene in the treatment of human prostate cancer. Invited. Birmingham, Alabama, US.
National Presentations
- 2022. RNF2 ablation reprograms the tumor-immune microenvironment and stimulates durable NK and CD4+ T cell- dependent anti-tumor immunity. Conference. AACR 114th Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana, US.
- 2010. MDM2 promotes proteasomal degradation of p21Waf1 via a conformation change. Conference. AACR 101th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C, District of Columbia, US.
- 2008. Tumorigenicity of the MDM2 oncogene, beyond p53. Invited. Indianapolis, Indiana, US.
- 2007. Tumorigenicity of the MDM2 oncogene, beyond p53. Invited. Fargo, North Dakota, US.
- 2007. Tumorigenicity of the MDM2 oncogene, beyond p53. Invited. Nashville, Tennessee, US.
- 2007. Tumorigenicity of the MDM2 oncogene, beyond p53. Invited. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US.
- 2007. Tumorigenicity of the MDM2 oncogene, beyond p53. Invited. Minneapolis, Minnesota, US.
- 2006. Extracellular Activity of cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase (ECPKA) as a biomarker for cancer detection: A study in a Chinese population. Conference. AACR 97th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C, District of Columbia, US.
- 2006. Curcumin, a multi-functional chemopreventive agent, inhibits MDM2 oncogene, which is associated with its anticancer, chemosensitization and radiosensitization effects. Conference. AACR 97th Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C, District of Columbia, US.
- 2005. Stabilization of E2F1 protein contributing to the p53-independent activities of MDM2. Conference. AACR 96th Annual Meeting. Anaheim, California, US.
- 2005. Antitumor activity and chemosensitization effects of novel antisense oligonucleotides targeting beta-catenin. Conference. AACR 96th Annual Meeting. Anaheim, California, US.
- 2005. A second-generation immunomodulatory oligonucleotide agonist of TLR9 shows antitumor activity and enhances effects of chemotherapy, radiation and antibody therapy in vitro and in vivo. Conference. AACR 96th Annual Meeting. Anaheim, California, US.
- 2004. Interaction between MDM2 and p21Waf1/Cip1: Antisense, siRNA, and Biochemistry. Invited, US.
- 2004. Genistein inhibits MDM2 expression independent of p53, a previously unrecognized mechanism of action. Conference. 95th AACR annual meeting. Orlando, Florida, US.
- 2004. The role of p53 and p21 in cancer therapy with MDM2 inhibitor. Conference. 95th AACR annual meeting. Orlando, Florida, US.
- 2004. MDM2 is a direct, p53-independent, negative regulator of p21. Conference. 95th AACR annual meeting. Orlando, Florida, US.
- 2003. In vitro and in vivo antisense inhibiting MDM2 expression in prostate cancer models: Anti-proliferation, increasing apoptosis, modulating gene expression, and improving chemotherapy. Conference. 94th AACR Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C, District of Columbia, US.
- 2003. Radiosensitization of human cancers by inhibiting MDM2 expression: In vitro and in vivo models and mechanisms. Conference. 94th AACR Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C, District of Columbia, US.
- Let-7 Status Is Crucial for PARP1 Expression in HER2-Overexpressing Breast Tumors. Panelist. Susan G. Komen NC Alabama research roundtable meeting. Birmingham, Alabama, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2026 - 2031 |
| Title: | Targeting Pediatric Brain Tumors with Oncolytic HSV and Cord Blood-Derived Double Knockout NK Cells (Project 3 of P01) |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | P01CA148600 |
| Date: | 2026 - 2027 |
| Title: | Inducing Anti-Cancer Immunity in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma |
| Funding Source: | Hyundai Hope on Wheels Pediatric Cancer Research Funding |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2025 - 2030 |
| Title: | Targeting RNF2 to synergize with oncolytic immunovirotherapy to induce anti-cancer immunity in medulloblastoma |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | 1R01NS146081-01 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2028 |
| Title: | Phase 1 Trial of Engineered oncolytic HSV-1 M032 in Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Midline Glioma |
| Funding Source: | US Department of Defense |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA240369 |
| Date: | 2025 - 2029 |
| Title: | Maximizing the Anti-Tumor Immune Response in Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Through Immunovirotherapy and RNF2 Inhibition |
| Funding Source: | V Foundation |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Tumor expressed epigenetic regulator RNF2 as a novel immunotherapeutic target for pediatric high-grade gliomas |
| Funding Source: | NCI MD Anderson Cancer Center SPORE in Brain Cancer |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2024 - 2025 |
| Title: | Overcoming Immunotherapy Challenges to Target Leptomenigeal Disease |
| Funding Source: | National Pediatric Cancer Foundation |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Enhancement of Oncolytic Virotherapy with Directed Drug Delivery for Pediatric Brain Tumors |
| Funding Source: | Andrew W McDonough B+ Foundation |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2025 |
| Title: | Overcoming Immunotherapy Challenges in Pediatric Brain Tumors |
| Funding Source: | V Foundation |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Enhancement of Immunovirotherapy with Directed Drug Delivery for Treatment of Pediatric High-Grade Glioma |
| Funding Source: | Pediatric Cancer Research Founation |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2023 - 2024 |
| Title: | Targeting Tumor Expressed RNF2 Is a Novel Strategy to Induce Immunological Memory |
| Funding Source: | UAB Research Foundation |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - 2028 |
| Title: | Modulating Tumor Microenvironment by Targeting Components of PRC1 Complex Resulting in Long Term Tumor Clearance |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| ID: | CA266886- 01A1 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2027 |
| Title: | Combine mitochondrial gene therapy and synthetic lethal chemotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancer |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | CA262028 |
| Date: | 2022 - 2024 |
| Title: | RNF2 Ablation Stimulates Durable NK-CD4+ T cell-dependent Anti- Tumor Immunity |
| Funding Source: | Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama |
| Role: | Co-PI |
| Date: | 2011 - 2012 |
| Title: | Novel Subunits of PRC2 Complex Regulate Breast Cancer Stem Cells |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCI |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | CA13148-39 |
| Date: | 2004 - 2006 |
| Title: | MDM2 as a Target for Prostate Cancer Prevention and Therapy |
| Funding Source: | DoD |
| Role: | PI |
| ID: | W81XWH-04-1-0845 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Yang Y, Kozlovskaya V, Zhang Z, Xing C, Zaharias S, Dolmat M, Qian S, Zhang J, Warram JM, Yang ES, Kharlampieva E. Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-block-Poly(dimethylsiloxane)-block-Poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) Triblock Copolymer Polymersomes for Delivery of PARP1 siRNA to Breast Cancers. ACS Appl Bio Mater 5(4):1670-1682, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35294185.
- Zhang Z, Luo L, Xing C, Chen Y, Xu P, Li M, Zeng L, Li C, Ghosh S, Della Manna D, Townes T, Britt WJ, Wajapeyee N, Sleckman BP, Chong Z, Leavenworth JW, Yang ES. RNF2 ablation reprograms the tumor-immune microenvironment and stimulates durable NK and CD4(+) T-cell-dependent antitumor immunity. Nat Cancer 2(10):1018-1038, 2021. e-Pub 2021. PMID: 35121884.
- Bastola S, Pavlyukov MS, Yamashita D, Ghosh S, Cho H, Kagaya N, Zhang Z, Minata M, Lee Y, Sadahiro H, Yamaguchi S, Komarova S, Yang E, Markert J, Nabors LB, Bhat K, Lee J, Chen Q, Crossman DK, Shin-Ya K, Nam DH, Nakano I. Glioma-initiating cells at tumor edge gain signals from tumor core cells to promote their malignancy. Nat Commun 11(1):4660, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 32938908.
- Zeng L, Boggs DH, Xing C, Zhang Z, Anderson JC, Wajapeyee N, Veale C, Bredel M, Shi LZ, Bonner JA, Willey CD, Yang ES. Combining PARP and DNA-PK Inhibitors With Irradiation Inhibits HPV-Negative Head and Neck Cancer Squamous Carcinoma Growth. Front Genet 11:1036, 2020. e-Pub 2020. PMID: 33133138.
- Wielgos ME, Zhang Z, Rajbhandari R, Cooper TS, Zeng L, Forero A, Esteva FJ, Osborne CK, Schiff R, LoBuglio AF, Nozell SE, Yang ES. Trastuzumab-Resistant HER2(+) Breast Cancer Cells Retain Sensitivity to Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase (PARP) Inhibition. Mol Cancer Ther 17(5):921-930, 2018. e-Pub 2018. PMID: 29592880.
- Roccograndi L, Binder ZA, Zhang L, Aceto N, Zhang Z, Bentires-Alj M, Nakano I, Dahmane N, O'Rourke DM. SHP2 regulates proliferation and tumorigenicity of glioma stem cells. J Neurooncol 135(3):487-496, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28852935.
- Zhang Z, Jones AE, Wu W, Kim J, Kang Y, Bi X, Gu Y, Popov IK, Renfrow MB, Vassylyeva MN, Vassylyev DG, Giles KE, Chen D, Kumar A, Fan Y, Tong Y, Liu CF, An W, Chang C, Luo J, Chow LT, Wang H. Role of remodeling and spacing factor 1 in histone H2A ubiquitination-mediated gene silencing. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114(38):E7949-E7958, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28855339.
- Vassylyeva MN, Klyuyev S, Vassylyev AD, Wesson H, Zhang Z, Renfrow MB, Wang H, Higgins NP, Chow LT, Vassylyev DG. Efficient, ultra-high-affinity chromatography in a one-step purification of complex proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 114(26):E5138-E5147, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 28607052.
- Cheng P, Wang J, Waghmare I, Sartini S, Coviello V, Zhang Z, Kim SH, Mohyeldin A, Pavlyukov MS, Minata M, Valentim CL, Chhipa RR, Bhat KP, Dasgupta B, La Motta C, Kango-Singh M, Nakano I. FOXD1-ALDH1A3 Signaling Is a Determinant for the Self-Renewal and Tumorigenicity of Mesenchymal Glioma Stem Cells. Cancer Res 76(24):7219-7230, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27569208.
- Gu Y, Jones AE, Yang W, Liu S, Dai Q, Liu Y, Swindle CS, Zhou D, Zhang Z, Ryan TM, Townes TM, Klug CA, Chen D, Wang H. The histone H2A deubiquitinase Usp16 regulates hematopoiesis and hematopoietic stem cell function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 113(1):E51-60, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26699484.
- Zhang Z, Yang H, Wang H. The histone H2A deubiquitinase USP16 interacts with HERC2 and fine-tunes cellular response to DNA damage. J Biol Chem 289(47):32883-94, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25305019.
- Zhang Z, Jones A, Joo HY, Zhou D, Cao Y, Chen S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Renfrow M, He H, Tempst P, Townes TM, Giles KE, Ma L, Wang H. USP49 deubiquitinates histone H2B and regulates cotranscriptional pre-mRNA splicing. Genes Dev 27(14):1581-95, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23824326.
- Zhang X, Zhang Z, Cheng J, Li M, Wang W, Xu W, Wang H, Zhang R. Transcription factor NFAT1 activates the mdm2 oncogene independent of p53. J Biol Chem 287(36):30468-76, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22787160.
- Joo HY, Jones A, Yang C, Zhai L, Smith AD 4th, Zhang Z, Chandrasekharan MB, Sun ZW, Renfrow MB, Wang Y, Chang C, Wang H. Regulation of histone H2A and H2B deubiquitination and Xenopus development by USP12 and USP46. J Biol Chem 286(9):7190-201, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21183687.
- Zhang Z, Jones A, Sun CW, Li C, Chang CW, Joo HY, Dai Q, Mysliwiec MR, Wu LC, Guo Y, Yang W, Liu K, Pawlik KM, Erdjument-Bromage H, Tempst P, Lee Y, Min J, Townes TM, Wang H. PRC2 complexes with JARID2, MTF2, and esPRC2p48 in ES cells to modulate ES cell pluripotency and somatic cell reprogramming. Stem Cells 29(2):229-40, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21732481.
- Xu H, Zhang Z, Li M, Zhang R. MDM2 promotes proteasomal degradation of p21Waf1 via a conformation change. J Biol Chem 285(24):18407-14, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20308078.
- Zhang Z, Zhang R. Proteasome activator PA28 gamma regulates p53 by enhancing its MDM2-mediated degradation. EMBO J 27(6):852-64, 2008. e-Pub 2008. PMID: 18309296.
- Chen D, Zhang Z, Li M, Wang W, Li Y, Rayburn ER, Hill DL, Wang H, Zhang R. Ribosomal protein S7 as a novel modulator of p53-MDM2 interaction: binding to MDM2, stabilization of p53 protein, and activation of p53 function. Oncogene 26(35):5029-37, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17310983.
- Wang H, Li M, Lin W, Wang W, Zhang Z, Rayburn ER, Lu J, Chen D, Yue X, Shen F, Jiang F, He J, Wei W, Zeng X, Zhang R. Extracellular activity of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase as a biomarker for human cancer detection: distribution characteristics in a normal population and cancer patients. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 16(4):789-95, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17416772.
- Li M, Zhang Z, Hill DL, Wang H, Zhang R. Curcumin, a dietary component, has anticancer, chemosensitization, and radiosensitization effects by down-regulating the MDM2 oncogene through the PI3K/mTOR/ETS2 pathway. Cancer Res 67(5):1988-96, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17332326.
- Rayburn ER, Wang W, Zhang Z, Li M, Zhang R, Wang H. Experimental therapy of prostate cancer with an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide: effects on tumor growth, apoptosis, proliferation, and potentiation of chemotherapy. Prostate 66(15):1653-63, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16927305.
- Zhang Z, Wang H, Li M, Rayburn ER, Agrawal S, Zhang R. Stabilization of E2F1 protein by MDM2 through the E2F1 ubiquitination pathway. Oncogene 24(48):7238-47, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16170383.
- Li M, Zhang Z, Hill DL, Chen X, Wang H, Zhang R. Genistein, a dietary isoflavone, down-regulates the MDM2 oncogene at both transcriptional and posttranslational levels. Cancer Res 65(18):8200-8, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16166295.
- Zhang Z, Wang H, Li M, Agrawal S, Chen X, Zhang R. MDM2 is a negative regulator of p21WAF1/CIP1, independent of p53. J Biol Chem 279(16):16000-6, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 14761977.
- Zhang Z, Wang H, Prasad G, Li M, Yu D, Bonner JA, Agrawal S, Zhang R. Radiosensitization by antisense anti-MDM2 mixed-backbone oligonucleotide in in vitro and in vivo human cancer models. Clin Cancer Res 10(4):1263-73, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 14977824.
- Wang H, Oliver P, Zhang Z, Agrawal S, Zhang R. Chemosensitization and radiosensitization of human cancer by antisense anti-MDM2 oligonucleotides: in vitro and in vivo activities and mechanisms. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1002:217-35, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 14751837.
- Zhang Z, Li M, Wang H, Agrawal S, Zhang R. Antisense therapy targeting MDM2 oncogene in prostate cancer: Effects on proliferation, apoptosis, multiple gene expression, and chemotherapy. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100(20):11636-41, 2003. e-Pub 2003. PMID: 13130078.
Review Articles
- Zhang Z, Wang H, Li M, Rayburn E, Agrawal S, Zhang R. Novel MDM2 p53-independent functions identified through RNA silencing technologies. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1058:205-14, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16394138.
- Zhang Z, Zhang R. p53-independent activities of MDM2 and their relevance to cancer therapy. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 5(1):9-20, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15720185.
- Zhang Z, Li M, Rayburn ER, Hill DL, Zhang R, Wang H. Oncogenes as novel targets for cancer therapy (part III): transcription factors. Am J Pharmacogenomics 5(5):327-38, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16196502.
- Zhang Z, Li M, Rayburn ER, Hill DL, Zhang R, Wang H. Oncogenes as novel targets for cancer therapy (part IV): regulators of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Am J Pharmacogenomics 5(6):397-407, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16336004.
- Zhang Z, Li M, Rayburn ER, Hill DL, Zhang R, Wang H. Oncogenes as novel targets for cancer therapy (part II): Intermediate signaling molecules. Am J Pharmacogenomics 5(4):247-57, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16078861.
- Zhang Z, Li M, Rayburn ER, Hill DL, Zhang R, Wang H. Oncogenes as novel targets for cancer therapy (part I): growth factors and protein tyrosine kinases. Am J Pharmacogenomics 5(3):173-90, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 15952871.
Other Articles
- Clark CA, Zhang Y, Xing C, Larimer BM, Yang ES, Friedman GK, Zhang Z PD-L1 ablation prompts irradiation-induced abscopal anticancer effects.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified March 27, 2026