Xiaohong Li, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
xiaohong.li@utoledo.edu
EDUCATION:
| B.S. | 1993 | Biology | Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China |
| M.S. | 1996 | Physiology | Nanjing University, Nanjing, China |
| Ph.D. | 2000 | Cell & Molecular Biology | Inst. of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China |
| Post-Doc | 2005 | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | Dept. of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA |
| Post-Doc | 2009 | Cell and Cancer Biology | Dept. of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA |
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Our current research interests and projects
1. Influence of bone microenvironment on prostate cancer bone metastases and drug resistance
Over 80% prostate cancer deaths are involved with bone metastases. Second-line hormonal
therapies such as enzalutamide improve overall patient survival only by several months
in about 50% of the patients, and almost all patients develop drug resistance. There
is an urgent need to determine the mechanisms of drug resistance and to develop new
approaches for overcoming such resistance and for better treatment of prostate cancer
bone metastasis. This study is currently supported by an R01 (2019-2024) from NCI.
2. Influence of bone microenvironment on tumor dormancy and reactivation
It has been proposed that the early disseminated tumor cells are the cells of origin for cancer recurrence. Up to 70% of prostate cancer patients have disseminated tumor cells in the bone marrow at the time of initial diagnosis. These cells remain dormant initially but proliferate later to overt metastases that eventually kill patients. Understanding the mechanisms of dormancy and reactivation will provide novel avenues for metastases prevention and inhibition.
3. Drivers of bone-specific metastasis
Divers for bone-specific metastasis and subsequent bone destruction are still largely unknown. Applying bed to bench side approach. We collaborate with Bin Chen’s (MSU) team analyzing big data of patient and virtual drug screening to instruct our basic research in determining the drivers and testing the efficacy of targeting at pre-clinical setting.
4. Intermittent fasting effects on bone metastasis and drug resistance
In recent years, intermittent fasting has been shown many health benefits that are
not simply the result of weight loss. Many clinical trials of intermittent fasting
in cancer patients are currently in progress. However, no conclusive benefits in cancer
incidence, metastasis, treatment responses or drug resistance are reached. Using our
unique preclinical mouse models, we aim to answer these questions and further determine
the mechanisms of the actions at molecular and cellular level.
FUNDING:
Ongoing Research Support
R01 CA230744-01A1, National Cancer Institute
04/19/19-12/31/24
Influence of bone microenvironment on drug resistance in prostate cancer bone metastasis
Role: PI
U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command
4/1/22-12/31/25
Developing PTH1R PROTAC degraders for lethal prostate cancer
Role: PI
U.S. Department of Defense
2/15/24-2/14/27
Dormancy mimicking to inhibit prostate cancer metastasis and recurrence
Role: PI
Completed Research Support
W81XWH-16-1-0136, Department of Defense
Ganguly (PI)
06/01/16-05/31/18
Notch Signaling in Prostate Cancer Cells Promotes Osteoblastic Metastasis
Role: Mentor
W81XWH-12-1-0271, Department of Defense
07/15/12-08/31/16
Influence of Primary Microenvironment on Prostate Cancer Osteoblastic Bone Lesion
Development
Role: PI
53010UPL2, Van Andel Institute Faculty Innovation Award
12/16/17-11/30/20
Developing tools to keep prostate cancer cells dormant in the bone microenvironment
Role: PI
53010PL2, Van Andel Institute Employee Impact Fund
05/05/15-11/30/20
Sensitizing chemo-resistant cancer stem cells in non-small cell lung cancers
Role: PI
53010A, Van Andel Institute Start-up
09/01/12-11/30/16
TGFbeta signaling in cancer bone metastases
Role: PI
PUBLICATIONS:
STUDENT OPENINGS: Currently accepting Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D., or M.S.M.D. students