Surgical Research Lab Faculty

Xiaoxin Luke Chen, MD, PhD
Director, Surgical Research Lab, Department of Surgery
Professor of Surgery, CMSRU
Associate Research Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Professor, Coriell Institute for Medical Research
E&R Building Room 386
chen-xiaoxin@cooperhealth.edu

I have two major research directions with grant support from the National Institutes of Health (CA244236 and AA030026):

• Preclinical targeted therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): We are particularly interested in developing targeted therapy of ESCC in vitro and in vivo with specific molecular alterations. These studies can be potentially translated into clinical studies. Our current target is the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
• Molecular mechanism and prevention of alcohol and tobacco-associated esophageal cancer: The goal of this research direction is to understand how alcohol and tobacco carcinogens may cause esophageal cancer, and how to prevent this type of cancer. Both pharmacological (pharmaceutical and dietary agents) and genetic approaches are employed to elucidate the mechanism of oro-esophageal carcinogenesis and design preventive strategies for clinical studies.

Publications

Paiboonrungruang C, Xiong Z, Lamson D, Li Y, Bowman B, Chembo J, Huang C, Li J, Livingston EW, Frank JE, Chen V, Li Y, Weissman B, Yuan H, Williams KP, Major MB, Chen X. Small Molecule Screen Identifies Pyrimethamine as an Inhibitor of NRF2-driven Esophageal Hyperplasia. Redox Biology 2023; 67:102901.

Knapp K, Verchio V, Coburn-Flynn O, Li Y, Xiong Z, Morrison JC, Shersher DD, Spitz F, Chen X. Exploring cell competition for the prevention and therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol. 2023 Aug;214:115639.

Li Y, Cheng Q, Xiong Z, Paiboonrungruang C, Adekoya T, Li Y, Chen X. Lymphatic Drainage System and Lymphatic Metastasis of Cancer Cells in the Mouse Esophagus. Dig Dis Sci. 2023 Mar;68(3):803-812.

Xiong Z, Chen X. NRF2 Controls the Competitive Fitness of Squamous Epithelial Cells in the Mouse Esophagus. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Nov 6:S2352-345X(22)00221-1.

Paiboonrungruang C, Simpson E, Xiong Z, Huang C, Li J, Li Y, Chen X. Development of targeted therapy of NRF2high esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Signal. 2021;86:110105.

For a complete list, visit my bibliography at the National Library of Medicine or The Chen Lab at NCCU.

Francis Spitz, MD, FACS
Vice Chief, Department of Surgery
Head, Division of General Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
Deputy Director, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Professor of Surgery, CMSRU
Sheridan Pavilion 411, Camden, NJ 08103
spitz-francis@cooperhealth.edu

I am interested in translational cancer research aiming at developing novel therapy for human cancer.

• NRF2 activation in lung and head & neck cancer

Publications

Zena Saleh, Matthew C. Moccia, Zachary Ladd, Upasana Joneja, Yahui Li, Francis Spitz, Young Ki Hong, and Tao Gao. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Signaling Pathways and Epigenetic Regulation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021331.

Knapp K, Verchio V, Coburn-Flynn O, Li Y, Xiong Z, Morrison JC, Shersher DD, Spitz F, Chen X. Exploring cell competition for the prevention and therapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Biochem Pharmacol. 2023 Aug;214:115639.

For a complete list, click here.

Young Ki Hong, MD, MPH
Assistant Director, Surgical Research Lab
Cooper University Health Care
Assistant Professor of Surgery, CMSRU
Sheridan Pavilion 411, Camden, NJ 08103
hong-young@cooperhealth.edu

I am interested in translational cancer research aiming at developing novel therapy for human cancer.

• Epigenetic therapy for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET)
• HIPEC with epigenetic drugs for peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal cancer

Publications

Zena Saleh, Matthew C. Moccia, Zachary Ladd, Upasana Joneja, Yahui Li, Francis Spitz, Young Ki Hong, and Tao Gao. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Signaling Pathways and Epigenetic Regulation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021331.

Zhu C, Sandilos G, Williamson J, Emery R, Platoff R, Joneja U, Acharya NK, Lin A, Badach J, Zilberman B, Zadzo J, Jelinek J, Zhang P, Hong YK. Novel treatment strategy of targeting epigenetic dysregulation in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Surgery. 2023 Apr;173(4):1045-1051.

Hong YK, Li Y, Wang X, Pandit H, Zheng Q, Yu Y, Shi X, Chen Y, Tan M, Pulliam Z, Bhutiani N, Lin A, Badach J, Zhang P, Martin RCG. Epigenetic modulation enhances immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Clin Transl Immunology. 2022 Nov 28;11(12).

Hong YK, Li Y, Pandit H, Li S, Pulliam Z, Zheng Q, Yu Y, Martin RCG. Epigenetic modulation enhances immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cell Immunol. 2019 Feb;336:66-74

Yan Ma, BS
Lab Manager
Surgical Research Division, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
E&R Building Room 392, 401 Haddon Avenue, Camden, NJ 08103
ma-yan@cooperhealth.edu

I am an accomplished lab manager with many years of experience in this capacity, and I have co-authored 52 cancer research papers. Throughout my career, my foremost responsibility is to oversee the seamless functioning of the laboratory and off steadfast support to our team of scientists, students, residents, and other lab members. In addition, I support histology experiments in the lab.

Lois Marcolongo, BA
Administrative Assistant
Surgical Research Lab, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
E&R Building Room 392
marcolongo-lois@cooperhealth.edu

I am pleased to serve the Cooper Surgical Research Division as Administrative Assistant, since the research work performed by our scientists is so important to patient outcomes. Previously, I served as an Executive Assistant in Cooper’s Graduate Medical Education office, where the interactions with the residents and fellows, and even CMSRU medical students, was an uplifting experience.

Prior to my Cooper service, I was employed for many years as Senior Program Coordinator at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) in Philadelphia, and internationally at the UN Agricultural Agencies (FAO & IFAD) in Rome, Italy. In all positions, my BA degree in Modern Languages from Villanova University was put to good use and enhanced my experiences.

Weam Elbezanti, PharmB, MS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Scientist - Clinical Research
Surgical Research Lab, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
E&R Building, Room 391, 401 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ 08103
elbezanti-weam@cooperhealth.edu

My lab is committed to advancing innovative therapeutic approaches for human cancer, with a particular emphasis on FDA-approved medications that influence epigenetics. I am passionate about translational cancer research, where my primary goal is to pioneer new therapies for human cancer. Specifically, my research focuses on understanding the effects of these medications on chromatin remodeling, gene expression, and the tumor microenvironment.

Publications

Weam Othman Elbezanti, Kishore B. Challagundla, Jonnalagadda, Subash, Tulin Budak-Alpdogan, and Manoj K. Pandey. Past, Present and a Glance into the Future of Multiple Myeloma Treatment. Pharmaceuticals. 2023 Mar 8;16(3):415. doi: 10.3390/ph16030415. PMID: 36986514; PMCID: PMC10056051.

Elbezanti WO, Al-Odat OS, Chitren R, Singh JK, Srivastava SK, Gowda K, Amin S, Robertson GP, Nemmara VV, Jonnalagadda SC, Budak-Alpdogan T, Pandey MK. Development of a novel Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor that exerts anti-cancer activities potentiates response of chemotherapeutic agents in multiple myeloma stem cell-like cells. Front Pharmacol. 2022 Sep 9;13:894535. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2022.894535. PMID: 36160379; PMCID: PMC9500300.

Al-Odat O, von Suskil M, Chitren R, Elbezanti W, Srivastava S, Budak-Alpddogan T, Jonnalagadda S, Aggarwal B, Pandey M. Mcl-1 Inhibition: Managing Malignancy in Multiple Myeloma. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Jul 19;12:699629. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.699629. Erratum in: Front Pharmacol. 2021 Aug 31;12:758130. PMID: 34349655; PMCID: PMC8327170.

Lin A, Elbezanti WO, Schirling A, Ahmed A, Van Duyne R, Cocklin S, Klase Z. Alprazolam Prompts HIV-1 Transcriptional Reactivation and Enhances CTL Response Through RUNX1 Inhibition and STAT5 Activation. Front Neurol. 2021 Jul 22;12:663793. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2021.663793. PMID: 34367046; PMCID: PMC8339301.

Von Suskil M, Sultana KN, Elbezanti WO, Al-Odat OS, Chitren R, Tiwari AK, Challagundla KB, Srivastava SK, Jonnalagadda SC, Budak-Alpdogan T, Pandey MK. Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Targeting in Multiple Myeloma. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 May 27;22(11):5707. doi: 10.3390/ijms22115707. PMID: 34071917; PMCID: PMC8198777.

Elbezanti W, Lin A, Schirling A, Jackson A, Marshall M, Duyne RV, Maldarelli F, Sardo L, Klase Z. Benzodiazepines Drive Alteration of Chromatin at the Integrated HIV-1 LTR. Viruses. 2020 Feb 9;12(2):191. doi: 10.3390/v12020191. PMID: 32050449; PMCID: PMC7077212.

Sardo L, Lin A, Khakhina S, Beckman L, Ricon L, Elbezanti W, Jaison T, Vishwasrao H, Shroff H, Janetopoulos C, Klase ZA. Real-time visualization of chromatin modification in isolated nuclei. J Cell Sci. 2017 Sep 1;130(17):2926-2940. doi: 10.1242/jcs.205823. Epub 2017 Jul 25. PMID: 28743737; PMCID: PMC5612227.

Sardo L, Vakil PR, Elbezanti W, El-Sayed A, Klase Z. The inhibition of microRNAs by HIV-1 Tat suppresses beta catenin activity in astrocytes. Retrovirology. 2016 Apr 8;13:25. doi: 10.1186/s12977-016-0256-y. PMID: 27060080; PMCID: PMC4826512.

Joglekar M, Elbezanti WO, Weitzman MD, Lehman HL, van Golen KL. Caveolin-1 mediates inflammatory breast cancer cell invasion via the Akt1 pathway and RhoC GTPase. J Cell Biochem. 2015 Jun;116(6):923-33. doi: 10.1002/jcb.25025. Erratum in: J Cell Biochem. 2017 May;118(5):1273. PMID: 25559359.

Tao Gao, PhD
Scientist - Clinical Research
Surgical Research Lab, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
Assistant Professor of Surgery, CMSRU
E&R Building, Room 388, 401 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ 08103
gao-tao@cooperhealth.edu

Research interest

My major research interest at Cooper Surgical Research Lab is to build a platform to develop novel therapies for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET). PNET is a historically rare tumor, with an annual incidence of 0.32 per 100,000. As a result, these malignancies have a relative paucity of knowledge surrounding their treatment. Despite clinically available strategies, the rate of 5-year survival significantly decreases by stage – 60-100% for localized disease, 40% for regional disease, and 25% for metastatic disease. There remains a significant clinical need to develop novel therapy for this disease.

Recent genomic and epigenomic studies have shown that PNETs are heterogenous in origin based on α-like, β-like islet cells of Langerhans, or intermediate type with associated ARX+ or PDX1+ transcriptional promotor hypermethylation profiles. Hypermethylation of promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes results in decreased expression of those genes and subsequent promotion of tumor growth. Previous research has shown hypermethylation of tumor suppressors in PNETs is mainly due to DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) overexpression. Epigenetic drugs activate anti-tumor immunity by inducing viral mimicry in tumor cells, regulate immune cells trafficking and infiltration, and reactivate exhausted immune cells.

Our research plan is to build a platform to develop novel epigenetic drugs which synergize with chemotherapy for PNET treatment through upregulation of tumor suppressor and immunomodulatory genes, via various studies including biochemistry, cell culture, next-generation sequencing, xenograft animal modeling, and systematic profiling of PNET patient samples. We will use this platform to provide basic research training to both Cooper medical residents and Rowan medical students, helping them to better understand the translational aspect of preclinical findings from basic research in clinical applications.

Grants

I have major research direction with grant support from the New Jersey Health Foundation (PC 54-24):

• Development of Novel NRF2 Inhibitors for NRF2Mut ESCC
   

Publications

Zena Saleh, Matthew C. Moccia, Zachary Ladd, Upasana Joneja, Yahui Li, Francis Spitz, Young Ki Hong, and Tao Gao. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Signaling Pathways and Epigenetic Regulation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021331.

Gao T, Wright-Jin EC, Sengupta R, Anderson JB, Mendelsohn CL, and Heuckeroth RO.  *Cell-autonomous retinoic acid receptor signaling alters enteric nervous system development with stage-specific effects in mice. JCI Insight 2021;6(10):e145854. https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.145854. *Editors’ highlight

Wright CM, Schneider S, Smith-Edwards KM, Mafra F, Leembruggen AJL, Gonzalez MV, Kothakapa DR, Anderson JB, Maguire BA, Gao T, et al. ScRNA-Seq Reveals New Enteric Nervous System Roles for GDNF, NRTN, and TBX3. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol (2021) Jan 11;S2352-345X(20)30213-7

Gao T, Mckenna B, Li C, et al. Pdx1 maintains β-cell identity and function by repressing an α-cell identity. Cell Metabolism (2014) Feb 4,19(2):259-71

Gao T, Zhou D, Yang C, et al. *Hippo Signaling Regulates Differentiation and Maintenance in the Exocrine Pancreas. Gastroenterology (2013) 144(7):1543-1553 *Cover story

Srinivasan M, Dodds C, Ghanim H, Gao T, et al. Maternal obesity and fetal programming: effects of a high-carbohydrate nutritional modification in the immediate postnatal life of female rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab (2008) 295(4):E895-903.

Gao T, O'Brian MR. Control of DegP-dependent degradation of c-type cytochromes by heme and the cytochrome c maturation system in Escherichia coli. J Bacteriol. 2007 Sep;189(17):6253-9

Gao T, O'Brian MR. Iron-dependent cytochrome c1 expression is mediated by the status of heme in Bradyrhizobium japonicum. J Bacteriol. 2005 Aug;187(15):5084-9

Samera Hamad, PhD
Scientist - Clinical Research
Surgical Research Lab, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
Assistant Professor of Surgery, CMSRU
E&R Building, Room 395, 401 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ 08103
hamad-samera@cooperhealth.edu

Other affiliations:
Member, Thoracic Tumor Board, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper
Member, Camden Cancer Research Center

Within the Surgical Research Division, my lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlying the initiation and evolution of different subtypes of lung cancer including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Most importantly, my group focuses on the molecular pathways that trigger the resistance to chemo-, radiation, and immuno- therapies. We identify the molecular mechanisms of resistance to use alternative agents that improve clinical benefits.

Residents and students in my lab use in vitro and in vivo approaches to determine the molecular mechanisms and pathways driving resistance to specific therapies. Additionally, we study the major risk factors that increase tumor growth and support metastases (such as smoking).

In collaboration with other groups within Cooper Campus and other national universities, we expand these studies to other types of tumors such as head and neck, ovarian, and endometrial cancer.

Current active projects:

1. The Role of NRF2 in the Development of Lung Cancer Subtypes.
2. Identification of Molecular Pathways Associated with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Subtype Switching after Treatment.
3. Chemotherapy Resistance in Ovarian Cancer and The Role of NRF2.

Publications

Samera H Hamad; Rani S Sellers; Nathan Wamsley; Paul Zolkind; Travis P. Schrank; Michael B. Major; Bernard E. Weissman. NRF2 activation in TRP53;P16 deficient mice drives oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Res, February 9, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1158/2767-9764.CRC-23-0386

Hamad, S.H., Montgomery, S.A., Simon, J.M.& et al.TP53, CDKN2A/P16, and NFE2L2/NRF2 regulate the incidence of pure- and combined-small cell lung cancer in mice. Oncogene 41, 3423–3432 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-022-02348-0

Walhart TA, Vacca B, Hepperla AJ, Hamad SH, Petrongelli J, Wang Y, McKean EL, Moksa M, Cao Q, Yip S, Hirst M, Weissman BE. SMARCB1 Loss in Poorly Differentiated Chordomas Drives Tumor Progression. Am J Pathol. 2023 Apr;193(4):456-473. doi: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.12.012. Epub 2023 Jan 16. PMID: 36657718; PMCID: PMC10123523.

Nguyen V, Shranck T, Hamad SH, Weissman B. Loss of SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling alters NRF2 signaling in human cancers. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl): Ab. nr 5724.

Hamad SH*, Brinkman MC, Tsai YH, Mellouk N, Cross K, Jaspers I, Clark PI, Granville CA. Pilot Study to Detect Genes Involved in DNA Damage and Cancer in Humans: Potential Biomarkers of Exposure to E-Cigarette Aerosols. Genes (Basel). 2021 Mar 22;12(3):448. doi: 10.3390/genes12030448. PMID: 33809907; PMCID: PMC8004185.

Boopathi Subramaniyan, M.Phil, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Surgical Research Lab, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
E&R Building, Room 220, 401 Haddon Ave, Camden, NJ 08103
subramaniyan-boopath@cooperhealth.edu

My research interest primarily focuses on NRF2's role in regulating kinases to promote proliferation, metastasis, radio- and chemo-resistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Recently, our lab identified novel kinases downstream of the NRF2 signaling pathway, which may be considered treatment targets. I am also interested in how alcohol drinking contributes to ESCC as a carbon source.

Publications

Qin L, Dong Z, Huang C, Liu H, Beebe J, Subramaniyan B, Hao Y, Liu Y, He Z, Liu JY, Zhang JT. Reversible promoter demethylation of PDGFD confers gemcitabine resistance through STAT3 activation and RRM1 upregulation. Cancer Lett. 2023 Jul 28;567:216266. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216266. Epub 2023 Jun 14. PMID: 37321532.

Tilley AMC, Howard CM, Sridharan S, Subramaniyan B, Bearss NR, Alkhalili S, Raman D. The CXCR4-Dependent LASP1-Ago2 Interaction in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Aug 29;12(9):2455. doi: 10.3390/cancers12092455.PMID: 32872485.

Subramaniyan B, Sridharan S, M Howard C, M C Tilley A, Basuroy T, de la Serna I, Butt E, Raman D. Role of the CXCR4-LASP1 Axis in the Stabilization of Snail1 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Aug 21;12(9):2372. doi: 10.3390/cancers12092372.PMID: 32825729.

Sridharan S, Robeson M, Bastihalli-Tukaramrao D, Howard CM, Subramaniyan B, Tilley AMC, Tiwari AK, Raman D. Targeting of the Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A Against Breast Cancer Stemness. Front Oncol. 2019 Dec 6;9:1311. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01311. eCollection 2019. PMID: 31867270.

Sridharan S, Howard CM, Tilley AMC, Subramaniyan B, Tiwari AK, Ruch RJ, Raman D. Novel and Alternative Targets Against Breast Cancer Stemness to Combat Chemoresistance. Front Oncol. 2019 Oct 16;9:1003. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2019.01003. eCollection 2019.PMID: 31681564.

For a complete list, click here.

Huan Li, PhD
Research Technician
Surgical Research Division, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
E&R Building Room 220, 401 Haddon Avenue, Camden, NJ 08103
li-huan@cooperhealth.edu

My research is centered on the field of oncology, encompassing breast cancer, leukemia, colon cancer, and more. My technical expertise lies at the intersection of cell biology, molecular biology, and in vivo experimentation, with a particular emphasis on cancer biology and drug development. I specialize in cell biology, drug resistance screening, chemo-/radio-sensitivity screening, and protein analysis techniques.

Publications

Huan Li, Miaoli Li, Zhao Rui Lian, Jian Huang*. A Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen Identifies ZNF251 critical for PARP inhibitors resistance. (Under review)

Minjun Xia, Yabim Jiao, Huan Li, Yushan Lin. Comparative Study on Four Phenolic Components of Dashain Refined Chinese Medicine and Common Chinese Medicine. Acta Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology 2017, 451:44-47.

Huan Liming Xia, Yabin Jiao. The protective effect of total glucosides of paeony on rats with atherosclerosis and blood lipid regulation. Jiangxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2017; 4:56-58.

Huan Li, Jindong Zhao, Guo sheng Wang. Treatment with Lingzi Capsules Suppresses Colorectal Cancer by Inhibiting the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Signal Transduction Pathway. Molecular Medicine Reports 2015; 11: 1865- 1870.

Yahui Li, MS
Research Technician
Surgical Research Division, Department of Surgery
Cooper University Health Care
E&R Building Room 220, 401 Haddon Avenue, Camden, NJ 08103
li-yahui@cooperhealth.edu

My research includes studying the role of NRF2 in the mechanisms of lymphatic metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, as well as investigating NRF2's involvement in esophageal carcinogenesis and metastasis through competitive interactions. I have successfully elucidated the mouse esophageal lymphatic drainage system.

Publications

Zena Saleh, Matthew C. Moccia, Zachary Ladd, Upasana Joneja, Yahui Li, Francis Spitz, Young Ki Hong, and Tao Gao. Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Signaling Pathways and Epigenetic Regulation. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 1331. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25021331.

Paiboonrungruang C, Xiong Z, Lamson D, Li Y, Bowman B, Chembo J, Huang C, Li J, Livingston EW, Frank JE, Chen V, Li Y, Weissman B, Yuan H, Williams KP, Major MB, Chen X. Small Molecule Screen Identifies Pyrimethamine as an Inhibitor of NRF2-driven Esophageal Hyperplasia. Redox Biology 2023; 67:102901.

Knapp K, Verchio V, Coburn-Flynn O, Li Y, Xiong Z, Morrison JC, Shersher DD, Spitz F, Chen X. Exploring Cell Competition for the Prevention and Therapy of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Biochemical Pharmacology. 2023; 7:115639.

Li Y, Cheng Q, Xiong Z, Paiboonrungruang C, Adekoya TO, Li Y, Chen X. Lymphatic drainage system and lymphatic metastasis of cancer cell in the mouse esophagus. Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 2023; 68.3: 803-812.

Chen, X, Li, Y, Paiboonrungruang, C, Li, Y, Peters, H, Kist, R, & Xiong, Z. PAX9 in Cancer Development. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2022; 23.10: 5589.

Li Y, Li Y, Chen X. Notch and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021; 1287:59-68.

Adekoya TO, Smith N, Thomas AJ, Lane TS, Burnette N, Rivers EJ, Li Y, Chen X, Richardson RM. Host versus cell-dependent effects of β-arrestin 1 expression in prostate tumorigenesis. Carcinogenesis. 2021; 42:772-83.

Cagle P, Smith N, Adekoya TO, Li Y, Kim S, Rios-Colon L, Deep G, Niture S, Albanese C, Suy S, Collins SP, Kumar D. Knockdown of microRNA-214-3p Promotes Tumor Growth and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Prostate Cancer. Cancers. 2021; 13:5875.

Paiboonrungruang C, Simpson E, Xiong Z, Huang C, Li J, Li Y, Chen X. Development of targeted therapy of NRF2high esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Cell Signal. 2021; 86:110105.

Shi M, Ren S, Chen H, Li J, Huang C, Li Y, Han Y, Li Y, Sun Z, Chen X, Xiong Z. Alcohol drinking inhibits NOTCH-PAX9 signaling in esophageal squamous epithelial cells. J Pathol. 2021; 253:384-395.