Fei-Fei Liu
MD, University of Toronto
Research Synopsis
Translational Research on Breast and Head & Neck Cancers
Our lab is focused on several aspects of translational molecular oncology, including the development of biomarkers for head & neck cancers, high-throughput screens to identify novel anti-cancer therapeutics, and stem cell regenerative therapy. Using DNA, RNA, and protein extracted from diagnostic human cancer samples, we are in the process of conducting multi-omic global expression analyses. Preliminary data are very promising, and in addition to identifying multi-dimensional predictive/prognostic signatures for improving cancer patient management, we are also studying their related pathways and biological functions in preclinical models of human cancers. Automated robotic screens are being used to identify corresponding novel anti-cancer compounds, and characterization of these potential new therapeutics is underway. Finally, we are also interested in understanding how adipose derived stem cells may aid in tissue regeneration after treatment with ionizing radiation.
For further information, please visit our laboratory website.
Recent Publications
How C, Hui AB, Alajez NM, Shi W, Boutros PC, Clarke BA, Yan R, Pintilie M, Fyles A, Hedley DW, Hill RP, Milosevic M, Liu FF. MicroRNA-196b Regulates the Homeobox B7-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Axis in Cervical Cancer. PLOS ONE. 8(7): e67846, 2013.
- Hui AB, Lin A, Xu W, Waldron L, Perez-Ordonez B, Weinreb I, Shi W, Bruce J, Huang SH, O’Sullivan B, Waldron J, Gullane P, Irish JC, Chan K, Liu FF. Potentially prognostic miRNAs in HPV-associated oropharyngeal carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res. 19(8):2154-2162, 2013.
- Sepiashvili L, Hui A, Ignatchenko V, Shi W, Su S, Xu W, Huang SH, O’Sullivan B, Waldron J, Irish JC, Perez-Ordonez B, Liu FF, Kislinger T. Potentially novel candidate biomarkers for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma identified using an integrated cell line-based discovery strategy. Mol Cell Proteomics. 11(11):1404-1415, 2012.
- Ito E, Yue S, Moriyama E, Kim I, Hui A, Shi W, Alajez N, Bhogal N, Li GH, Datti A, Schimmer A, Liu P, Durocher D, Neel B, O’Sullivan B, Cummings B, Bristow R, Liu FF. Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase is a radiosensitizing target for head and neck cancer. Science Translational Medicine. 3:67ra7, 2011.
Graduate Students
Jacqueline Law