Research interests
Dr. Xing is a M.D./Ph.D. physician scientist and Associate Professor of Medicine and Oncology. His research interest is mainly in thyroid tumors, particularly their genetic and epigenetic alterations, including gene mutation and methylation. His study involves both sporadic and familial thyroid cancers. His team has been particularly interested in exploring the molecular derangements associated with genetic and epigenetic alterations in the RAS/RAF/MAP kinase and the PI3K/Akt pathways. Examples include BRAF, Ras, and PIK3CA mutations and amplifications, and aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor and thyroid-specific genes. Dr. Xing’s team is also making vigorous efforts in testing the therapeutic potential of targeting at these genetic alterations and in identifying novel diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers for thyroid cancer. Dr. Xing’s research has been supported by grant funding from the National Institute of Health, the American Cancer Society, and other funding sources.
Recent publications
- BRAF V600E Maintains Proliferation, Transformation and Tumorigenicity of BRAF-Mutant Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells
- Suppression of BRAF/MEK/MAP kinase pathway restores expression of iodide-metabolizing genes in thyroid cells expressing the V600E BRAF mutant
- Genetic alterations and their relationship in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in thyroid cancer
- Absence of germline mutations in genes within the MAP kinase pathway in familial non-medullary thyroid cancer
- Association of aberrant methylation of tumor suppressor genes with tumor aggressiveness and BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid cancer
- Detection of serum deoxyribonucleic acid methylation markers: a novel diagnostic tool for thyroid cancer
- BRAF mutation predicts a poorer clinical prognosis for papillary thyroid cancer
- Uncommon mutation, but common amplifications, of the PIK3CA gene in thyroid tumors
- Detection of BRAF mutation on fine needle aspiration biopsy specimens: a new diagnostic tool for papillary thyroid cancer
- Early occurrence of RASSF1A hypermethylation and its mutual exclusion with BRAF mutation in thyroid tumorigenesis
- Methylation of the thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor gene in epithelial thyroid tumors: a marker of malignancy and a cause of gene silencing
- BRAF mutation in papillary thyroid carcinoma
