Research & Publications

We are driving innovative research to address some of the most pressing challenges in cancer and liver disease. Our work is grounded in a deep understanding of innate immunity, inflammation, and their roles in disease progression and treatment. Below are some of our recent projects that showcase our commitment to transforming scientific discoveries into clinical advancements.

Project 1: Pre-Operative Exercise Therapy (PEx) and Its Role in Reducing Pro-Tumorigenic Inflammation

Our groundbreaking studies have revealed that pre-operative exercise therapy (PEx) can significantly reduce the hepatic inflammatory response triggered by liver surgery. Published in Nature Metabolism (2021) and Hepatology (2024), our findings suggest that PEx not only mitigates surgical stress-induced pro-tumorigenic inflammation but also helps maintain an anti-tumor immune microenvironment in the liver. These insights could pave the way for new peri-operative targeted strategies that can enhance patient outcomes.

Project 2: Unraveling the Role of Innate Immunity in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH)

We are delving into the mechanisms by which MASH leads to the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and how these NETs contribute to inflammatory injury and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our work, highlighted in Hepatology (2018, 2024) and Journal of Hepatology (2021), demonstrates that targeting NETs can alter the inflammatory environment, making it less conducive to HCC growth. This research opens up new therapeutic possibilities for preventing liver fibrosis and cancer in patients with MASH.

Project 3: Enhancing Anti-Tumor Therapy in Advanced Colorectal Cancer

We have identified novel strategies to target the tumor microenvironment (TME) in advanced colorectal cancer. Our studies, published in Cancer Research (2016, 2019, 2021) and Cancers (2021), show that using DNase I, alone or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, can significantly improve anti-tumor responses. Additionally, our recent work in JCI Insight (2022) suggests that activating TLR9 in fibroblastic reticular cells can enhance anti-tumor immunity and improve responses to anti-PD-1 therapy, offering a potential new approach to overcome resistance to PD-1 blockade.

Join us in our mission to transform lives through scientific innovation and discovery!