Hematology and Oncology

I have been an active clinical investigator vested in the immune-based therapy of melanoma. This has led to my role in the clinical development of initially Interleukin-2 and more recently anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD1/PDL-1. While checkpoint therapy has been a great breakthrough in cancer treatment, additional immune-based strategies are still critically needed. Efforts to identify mechanisms of resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and approaches to overcome de novo and acquired resistance are one of my major interest. In addition I have ongoing efforts in the personalized therapy of melanoma with ...

The Liu lab studies the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer stem cells (CSCs) and metastasis through four ongoing interactive basic and translational research projects: (1) to understand CSCs in metastasis using cutting-edge single cell sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technologies; (2) to image CSC behavior and interactions with immune cells during metastasis using bioluminescence imaging and intravital imaging systems; (3) to target CSCs with novel therapeutics delivered by exosomes and nanoparticles; (4) to develop circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating exosome-based bioma...

My primary interests are in developing novel therapeutic combinations for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. I am interested in incorporating immunotherapy and molecular testing into clinical trials.

My clinical domain is breast cancer management. My clinical research interest focuses on the development of novel therapies for the treatment of breast cancer. Clinical trials focusing on precision medicine for defining the right therapy, for the right patient at the right time is our goal. To that end, molecular interogation of breast tumors are leading to novel trial design that will hopefully translate into better outcomes for our patients. In conjuction with the developmental therapeutics program, novel agents are being incorporated into clinical trials for patients with both early and lat...

Hodgkin's disease, Leukemia, Lymphoma

I am primarily interested in loco-regional therapies to treat primary and secondary liver cancers. I am involved in both pre-clinical and clinical studies along these lines. I am also very interested in the use of IVC filters in patients with venous thromboembolic disease.

Immunotherapy strategies for treatment of melanoma, renal cell cancer, other urologic tumors and Mycosis fungoides

The overarching goal of my involvement in translational research is to improve the outcome of patients with lymphoma. With scientists in the US and abroad, we are currently investigating novel signaling pathways in lymphoma, using cell lines and animal model systems. More specifically, our research focuses on the biology of reactive oxygen species signaling pathways in lymphoma. Active investigations include: 1) the biology of the lactone diterpenoids in lymphoma; 2) the development of all trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and curcumin loaded nanodisks as a drug delivery vehicle in mantle cell lympho...

Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma