Shi-Long Lu, MD, PhD

Recognitions

• Research Career Development Award, Dermatology Foundation (2007)
• Albert Kligman Fellowship, Society of Investigative Dermatology (2005)
• Certificate of Appreciation for Mentoring Next Generation of Scientists, OHSU (2005)
• Best Presentation Award, 6th International Conference of Head and Neck Cancer (2004)
• Scholarship for PhD Degree, Japanese Government (Monbusho) (1995)
• Young Investigator Award, Chinese Association for Science and Technology (1993)

Research Interests

My research focuses on fundamental and translational aspects on head and neck cancers, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and salivary gland tumors (SGTs). Specifically, my lab works on delineating the roles of PI3K and TGF??signaling pathway, cancer stem cell, and oral microbiome in HNSCC pathogenesis, identifying saliva biomarkers for early detection, recurrence, and surveillance of HNSCC, and developing novel therapeutic approaches for HNSCC. Several key discoveries from my lab are: (1) We were among the firsts to develop multiple genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs) of HNSCC in both PI3K and TGFß pathways. In combination with tobacco carcinogenesis protocol, these models develop HNSCC, which mimic human HNSCC etiologically, pathologically and molecularly. (2) We recently developed GEMMs for human SGTs, and are using these models to study the role of PTEN and Smad4 in SGT pathogenesis. (3) We have identified a panel of methylated genomic loci encoding microRNAs, which can be detected in patient saliva, to serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis, recurrence, and surveillance of HNSCC patients. (4). In collaboration with our colleague, we are among the firsts to study the functional role of oral microbiome in HNSCC pathogenesis and its impact on immunotherapy and PI3K targeted therapy. (5). In collaboration with our colleague, we are developing a novel therapeutic approach using an immunotoxin-based therapy on HNSCC models we have developed.

Publications

• Qiu Y, Lu L, Halven A, Terrio R, Yuldelson S, Dougal N, Galbo F, Lu A, Gao D, Blomquist B, Zevallos JP, Lu SL*, Yao X, Harry BL. Extraction-Free Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Nasal Swab and Saliva Samples on a Single High-Throughput Platform. J Biotechnol Biomed. 2024;7(2):214-220. PubMed PMID: 39086601. *=co-corresponding author
• Qiu Y, Lu L, Lu A, Gao D, McGrath P, Han C, Kogut I, Blomquist B, Yao X, Zevallos J, Lu SL*, Harry B: SARS-Cov-2 Viral Load in Nasal Swab and Raw Saliva Samples from COVID-19 Patients. Archives of Microbiology and Immunology. 8: 280-289 (2024). *=co-corresponding author
• Qiu Y, Qi Z, Wang Z, Cao Y, Lu L, Zhang H, Mathes D, Pomfret EA, Lu SL, Wang Z. EGF-IL2 bispecific and bivalent EGF fusion toxin efficacy against syngeneic head and neck cancer mouse models. Oncol Rep. 2023 Feb;49(2). PubMed PMID: 36579667
• Jiang H, Suo H, Gao L, Liu Y, Chen B, Lu SL, Jin F, Cao Y. Metformin plays an antitumor role by downregulating inhibitory cells and immune checkpoint molecules while activating protective immune responses in breast cancer. International Immunopharmacology, 118: 110038 (2023)
• Lu L, Qiu Y, Espinoza E, Gerndt S, Lu A, Allen A, Gao D, Harry B, Gross N, Song J, Bornstein S, Zevallos J, Lu SL: Validation of a saliva-liquid biopsy test (HNKlear) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. S008, JAMA Network for the proceedings of the AHNS 11th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer.
• Frank D, Qiu Y, Cao Y, Zhang S, Lu L, Kofonow J, Roberson C, Liu Y, Wang H, Levens C, Kuhn K, Song J, Ramakrishnan V, Lu SL: A dysbiotic microbiome promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene, 41, 1269-1280 (2022).
• Qiu Y, Lu L, Halven A, Terrio R, Yuldelson S, Dougal N, Galbo F, Lu A, Gao D, Blomquist B, Zevallos J, Harry B, Yao X, Lu SL: COVIDFastTM: A high-throughput and RNA extraction-free method for SARS-CoV-2 detection in swab (SwabFASTTM) or saliva (SalivaFASTTM). medRxiv (2022); doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.29.21268527
• Frank D, Magno J, Velasco K, Bootpetch T, Salud J, David K, Yee E, Dulnuan H, Lacuata J, Arbizo J, Guce B, Mendoza K, Illustre G, Kofonow J, Chiong A, Roberson R, Tongol E, Sacayan N, Lu SL, Yarza T, Chiong C, Santos-Cortez R: Microbiota associated with cholesteatoma tissue in chronic suppurative otitis media. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 12: 746428 (2022)
• Qi Z, Qiu Y, Wang Z, Zhang H, Lu L, Liu Y, Mathes D, Pomfret E, Gao D, Lu SL*, Wang Z: A novel diphtheria toxin-based bivalent human EGF fusion toxin for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular Oncology, 15: 1054-1068 (2021).
• Qiu Y, Lu L, Gao D, McGrath P, Han C, Kogut I, Blomquist B, Yao X, Zevallos J, Harry B, Lu SL: SARS-Cov-2 viral load monitoring by extraction-free testing of saliva. medRxiv 2021.08.02.21261502; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.02.21261502
• Qiu Y, Lu L, Halven A, Terrio R, Yuldelson S, Dougal N, Galbo F, Lu A, Gao D, Blomquist B, Zevallos J, Harry B, Yao X, Lu SL: COVIDFastTM: A high-throughput and RNA extraction-free method for SARS-CoV-2 detection in swab (SwabFASTTM) or saliva (SalivaFASTTM). medRxiv 2021.12.29.21268527; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.12.29.21268527
• Chen X, Cao Y, Sedhom W, Lu L, Liu Y, Wang H, Oka M, Bornstein S, Said S, Song J, Lu SL: Distinct roles of PIK3CA in enriching and maintaining of cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular Oncology, 14: 139-158 (2020)
• Chen X, Cao Y, Sedhom W, Lu L, Liu Y, Wang H, Oka M, Bornstein S, Said S, Song J, Lu SL. Distinct roles of PIK3CA in the enrichment and maintenance of cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Mol Oncol. 2020 Jan;14(1):139-158. PubMed PMID: 31600013
• Lu SL, Hsu FM, Tsai CL, Lee JM, Huang PM, Hsu CH, Lin CC, Chang YL, Hsieh MS, Cheng JC. Improved prognosis with induction chemotherapy in pathological complete responders after trimodality treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: Hypothesis generating for adjuvant treatment. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2019 Aug;45(8):1498-1504. PubMed PMID: 30910457
• Yang CX, Sedhom W, Song J, Lu SL: The role of microRNAs in recurrence and metastasis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Cancers, 11: 395 (2019)
• Cao Y, Feng Y, Gao L, Li X, Jin Q, Wang Y, Xu Y, Jin F, Lu SL*, Wei M: Artemisinin enhances the anti-tumor immune response in 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. International Immunopharmacology, 70: 110-116 (2019)
• Cao Y, Liu H, Xia S, Zhang X, Bai H, Yang Q, Li J, Gao L, Jin F, Wei M , Lu SL,* Xiao J: PTEN downregulates WD repeat-containing protein 66 in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. Oncology Reports, 41: 1827-1836 (2019)
• Cao Y, Green K, Quattlebaum S, Milam B, Lu L, Gao D, HE H, Li N, Gao L, Hall F, Whinery M, Handley E, Ma Y, Jin F, Xiao J, Wei M, Smith D, Bornstein S, Gross N, Pyeon D, Song J, Lu SL: Methylated genomic loci encoding microRNAs in saliva as a biomarker panel in tissue and saliva for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Clinical Epigenetics, 10:43 (2018). PMCID: PMC5883341
• Cao Y, Liu H, Gao L, Lu L, Du L, Bai H, Li J, Said S, Wang X, Song J, Serkova N, Wei M, Xiao J, Lu SL: Cooperation between Pten and Smad4 in mouse salivary gland tumor formation and progression. Neoplasia, 20: 764-774 (2018). PMCID: PMC6031150
• Cao Y, Liu H, Xia S, Zhang X, Bai H, Yang Q, Li J, Gao L, Jin F, Wei M , Lu SL,* Xiao J: PTEN downregulates WD repeat-containing protein 66 in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma. Oncology Reports, Dec 13, [Epub ahead of print] (2018).
• Cao Y, Du Y, Liu F, Feng Y, Cheng S, Guan S, Wang Y, Li X, Li B, Jin F, Lu SL, Wei M: Vitamin D aggravates breast cancer by inducing immunosuppression in the tumor bearing mouse. Immunotherapy, 10: 555-566 (2018).
• Du L, Chen X, Cao Y, Lu L, Zhang F, Bornstein S, Li Y, Owens P, Malkoski S, Said S, Jin F, Kulesz-Martin M, Gross N, Wang XJ, Lu SL. Overexpression of PIK3CA in murine head and neck epithelium drives tumor invasion and metastasis through PDK1 and enhanced TGFß signaling. Oncogene. 2016 Sep 1;35(35):4641-52. PubMed PMID: 26876212
• Malkoski S, Cleaver T; Thompson J, Sutton W, Haeger S, Rodriguez K, Lu SL Merrick D, Wang X: Role of PTEN in basal cell derived lung carcinogensis. Mol Carcinogenesis 53: 841-6 (2014)
• Liu H, Du L, Wang R, Wei C, Liu B, Zhu L, Liu P, Liu Q, Li J, Xiao J, Lu SL: High frequency of loss of PTEN expression in human solid salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and its implication for targeted therapy. Oncotarget (2014) in press
• Malkoski SP, Cleaver TG, Thompson JJ, Sutton WP, Haeger SM, Rodriguez KJ, Lu SL, Merrick D, Wang XJ. Role of PTEN in Basal Cell Derived Lung Carcinogenesis. Mol Carcinog. 2013 Apr 26. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 23625632
• Malkoski S, Cleaver T; Thompson J, Sutton W, Haeger S, Rodriguez K, Lu SL* Merrick D, Wang X: Role of PTEN in basal cell derived lung carcinogensis. Mol Carcinogenesis (2013) in press
• Oka M, Chen X, Wang X, Lu SL: Deletion of Smad4 results in enhanced lymphangiogenesis and node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. AACR special conference on tumor invasion and metastasis. San Diego, 2013
• Du L, Chen X, Shen J, Zhang F, Lu SL: PIK3CA overexpression induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Annual Meeting of American Association of Cancer Research. Washington DC, 2013
• Bornstein S, Shen J, Minor J, Hall F, Zhang F, Said S, Wang X, Gross N, Song J, Serkova N, Lu SL: Overexpression of PIK3CA Oncogene Drives Head and Neck Cancer Invasion and Metastasis. International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer. Toronto, 2012.
• Du L, Shen J, Weems A, and Lu SL*: Role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Oncol in press (2012)
• Malkoski S, Wang X, Haeger S, Cleaver T, Rodriguez K, Li H, Lu SL*, Feser W, Baron A, Merrick D, Lighthall J, Ijichi H, Franklin W: Loss of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor increases aggressive tumor behavior and reduces survival in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Clin. Cancer Res. 2012 Mar. 7 [Epub ahead of print].
• Lu SL*: Stem cells in head and neck cancer development and metastasis. In [Stem Cells and Human Disease] ed. Rakesh Srivastava. Springer in press (2011)
• Minor J, Wang X, Zhang F, Song J, Jimeno A, Wang XJ, Lu X, Gross N, Kulesz-Martin M, Wang D, Lu SL*: Methylation of microRNA-9 is a specific and sensitive biomarker for oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Oral Oncol 48: 73-8 (2012)
• Du L, Shen J, Weems A, Lu SL*: Role of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. J Oncol 450179 (2012)
• Malkoski S, Haeger S, Cleaver T, Rodriguez K, Li H, Lu SL*, Feser W, Baron A, Merrick D, Lighthall J, Ijichi H, Franklin W, Wang XJ: Loss of transforming growth factor beta type II receptor increases aggressive tumor behavior and reduces survival in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Clin. Cancer Res. 18: 2173-83 (2012)
• Lu SL:Role of DNA repair in head and neck cancer in [DNA repair] ed by Francesca Storici. Intech
• Weber S, Bornstein S, Li, Y, Malkoski S, Wang D, Rustgi A, Kulesz-Martin M, Wang XJ, Lu SL*: Tobacco-specific carcinogen nitrosamine 4-(Methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone induces AKT activation in head and neck epithelia. Int. J Oncol 39:1193-1198 (2011)
• Lu SL: DNA repair defects in head and neck cancer. In [DNA Repair and Human Health] ed. Sonya Vengrova. Intech, pp. 373-384 (2011).
• Deng Y, Liu J, Han G, Lu SL, Wang SY, Malkoski S,Tan AC,Deng C, Wang XJ, Zhang Q: Redox-dependent Brca1 transcirptional regulation by an NADH-sensor CtBP1. Oncogene 29:6603-8 (2010)
• Malkoski S,Clever T, Lu SL, Lighthall J, Wang XJ: Keratin promoter based gene manipulation in the murine conducting airway. Int J. Biol. Sci. 6:68-79 (2010)
• Frank D, Qiu Y, Cao Y, Zhang S, Lu L, Kofonow J, Roberson C, Liu Y, Wang H, Levens C, Kuhn K, Song J, Ramakrishnan V, Lu SL: A dysbiotic microbiome promotes head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Oncogene, 2021, in press
• Saliva liquid biopsy for head and neck cancer. In [Emerging Technologies for Cancer Detection and Diagnosis] eds. Miguel Ossandon, Ben Prickril, Avraham Rasooly. Tyler & Francis, 2024
• Qi Z, Qiu Y, Wang Z, Zhang H, Lu L, Liu Y, Mathes D, Pomfret E, Gao D, Lu SL*, Wang Z: A novel bivalent diphtheria toxin-based human EGF fusion immunotoxin for treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Molecular Oncology,
• Qiu Y, Qi Z, Wang Z, Cao Y, Lu L, Zhang H, Mathes D, Pomfret E, Lu SL*, Wang ZR: EGF-IL2 bispecific and bivalent EGF fusion toxin efficacy against syngenic head and neck cancer mouse models. Oncology Reports Epub (2022) *=co-corresponding author

Professional Memberships

• American Association of Cancer Research (AACR), Member
• Society of Investigative Dermatology, Member
• Colorado BioScience Association, Member
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Member
• American Association of Dental Research (AADR)-Diagnostic Sciences Group, Member
• International Association of Dental Research (IADR)-Salivary Research Group, Member

Specialty Information

Specialties

• Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery