BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 　 　

NAME:   Lu Desheng 　 　

POSITION TITLE: Professor of Cancer Pharmacology  and Chairman of  the  Department of Pharmacology,  Shenzhen University School of Medicine 　 　

EDUCATION/TRAINING 　 　

 

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION	DEGREE	Completion Date 　 　 MM/YYYY	FIELD OF STUDY
S ichuan University, Chengdu , China	B. Med	07/1 983	Preventive  Medicine
S ichuan University, Chengdu , China	M.Sc.	0 7 /19 86	Epidemiology
University of Toronto , Toronto, Ontario, Canada	Ph.D.	11/199 8	Medical Genetics
McGill University, Montreal, Quebec , Canada	Postdoctoral	03 / 2001	Cancer Biology
University of  California at San Diego , San Diego, CA ,	Postdoctoral	06/2004	Cancer Biology

　 　 A.  Personal Statement 　 　

My main research interests lie in cancer stem cell-associated signaling transduction (especially the Wnt signaling pathway) , cancer stem cells and anti-cancer drug discovery. I  received my  doctorate in medical genetics from the University  of Toronto  in 199 8 , after which I  completed a 3 -year post-doctoral fellowship in the Molecular Oncology Group at McGill University. From  200 1 to 2012   I worked at the Moors Cancer Center,  University of California, San Diego first as an Assistant  Project Scientist and later as an Associate Project Scientist. I am the Scientific Co-founder of Wintherix, a   biotechnology company that launched in 2008. In 2012, I joined Suzhou University as a Distinguished Professor. Since 2007, I ha ve  been working in the Department of Pharmacology  at  Shenzhen University  Health Science Center as a Distinguished Professor   and Chairman.   To date , I have published ~50 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals (H-index = 22 ; total citation number > 2 , 200 ). 　 　

B.  Positions and Honors 　 　

Positions and Employment 　 　

07/19 86 –  09 /19 88 Research Assistant, Department of Epidemiology , Sichuan University, Chengdu, China   　 　

09 / 1989  – 0 8 /2011 Lecturer,   Department of Epidemiology , Sichuan University, Chengdu, China   　 　

0 3 /20 0 1 – 06 /201 0 Assistant Project Scientist, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, USA 　 　

0 1 /20 08  – 12 /20 08 Co-founder and Director, Wintherix, LLC, 10578 Science Center Dr., San Diego, CA92121, USA 　 　

0 7 /201 0  – 0 6 /201 2 Associate  Project Scientist, Moores Cancer Center, University of California at San Diego, USA 　 　

0 6 /20 12 –  05 /201 3 Professor, School of Basic Medical and Biological Sciences , Soochow University, China   　 　

0 6 /201 3  – present Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Shenzhen University Health Science Center , Shenzhen, China

M embership of A cademic Societies 　 　

　 　

Sigma Xi (Full membership) 　 　

American Association for Cancer Research (Full member) 　 　

American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (Regular Member) 　 　

Society of Chinese Bioscientists in America

 

Awards 　 　

1999 The Colonel Edward T. Renouf Research Award, McGill University 　 　

1997 Young Investigator's Award, University of Toronto.

R eviewing activities 　 　

Proc Natl Acad Sci USA; Blood; Leukemia;  Clinical Cancer Research;  Molecular Cancer Research;  Neoplasia; Journal of Hepatology; Leukemia and Lymphoma;  Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology;  Epigenomics; PPAR Research;  Hematology Reviews.

C.  Contributions to Science  (*: corresponding/co-corresponding author)

1. Identification of the first prokaryotic zinc transport 　 　

In 1997, my study identified a n  unknown protein as a periplasmic-zinc-binding protein (Pzp1) in Hemophilus influenza. I further demonstrated that Pzp1 is a key protein for zinc uptake in these bacteria. This was the first  specific bacterial zinc transporter to be identified . This work has been cited in several textbooks including “Molecular Biology and Toxicology of Metals” by Zalups & Koropatnick, “Molecular Medical Microbiology” b y Max Sussman and the “Handbook of Elemental Speciation II: Species in the Environment, Food, Medicine and Occupational Health” by Cornelis et al. Based on our study, AntexBiologics Inc have used this novel zinc transporter as a target for discovering new antibiotics (New release of AntexBiologics Inc., 03/22/2000) (Lu et al. JBC   1997). 　 　

　 　

2. E strogen-related receptor s  (ERR s ) regulate the transcription of breast cancer marker gene pS2 　 　

In 2001, my study demonstrated that the estrogen-related receptor (ERR) alpha, beta, and gamma can regulate the transcriptional activity of the human breast cancer marker gene pS2 and showed that ERR alpha may constitute a therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. A press release from SignalGene, Inc highlighted the importance of our discovery (Press release from SignalGene, 09/18/2001). To date, this study has been cited > 204  times via Google Scholar (Lu et al. Cancer Research 2001). 　 　

　 　

3. Activation of Wnt signaling in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. 　 　

In 2004, my study demonstrate d  that the Wnt signaling pathway is activated in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells. This work has had a considerable impact in this field, being cited thus far > 399  times via Google Scholar (Lu et al. PNAS 2004). 　 　

　 　

4. Salinomycin is a potent inhibitor of Wnt/ b -catenin signaling 　 　

In 2011, my study demonstrated that the cancer stem cell inhibitor salinomycin is an antagonist of Wnt/ b -catenin signaling and selectively induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells (Lu et al., PNAS 2011). This work was highlighted by Nature Medicine (Aranda V. Salinomycin acts through Wnt in CSCs. Nature Medicine. 17:1059, 2011). Faculty of 1000 also selected and evaluated this article.   To date , this work  has been cited > 26 6  times via Google Scholar (Lu et al. PNAS  20 1 1).

D.  Research Support 　 　

Ongoing Research Support 　 　

　 　

The Peacock Plan Start-up Fund 01/01/20 1 7  to 12/31/20 19 　 　

Desheng Lu,  PI ￥ 5 , 00 0,000 (direct cost) 　 　

Discovery of novel inhibitors of the Wnt/ β - catenin signaling pathway 　 　

　 　

T he Shenzhen Basic Research Program  ( JCYJ20170302143447936 ) 01/01/20 17  to 12/31/20 19 　 　

Desheng Lu, PI ￥ 400 ,000 (direct cost) 　 　

Study the role of FZD7 in the pathogenesis of breast cancer  and its related targeted therapy   　 　

　 　

Shenzhen Peacock Innovation Team Project (KQTD20140630100658078) 0 1 /01/20 16  to 12 /3 1 /20 20 　 　

Desheng Lu , core member ￥ 15,00 0,000 　 　

Innovation Team of Immunotherapy Targeting Cancer Stem Cell 　 　

　 　

Completed Research Support 　 　

　 　

T he Shenzhen Basic Research Program  ( JCYJ20150525092941006 ) 01/01/20 16  to 12/31/20 17 　 　

Desheng Lu, PI ￥ 500 ,000 (direct cost) 　 　

Salinomycin inhibit metastasis in breast cancers through blocking Wnt signaling 　 　

　 　

NSFC (China) ( # 81372342 )   01/01/20 14  to 12/31/20 17 　 　

Desheng Lu , PI ￥ 75 0,000 　 　

Salinomycin kills breast cancer stem cells through antagonism of Wnt signaling

E.  Peer-reviewed publications (*: corresponding author)

1.  Sun Q, Li S, Li J, Fu Q, Wang Z, Li B, Liu SS, Su Z, Song J and Lu D* . Homoharringtonine regulates the alternative splicing of Bcl-x and caspase 9 through a protein phosphatase 1-dependent mechanism.  BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 18(5): 164. 　 　

2.  Yu S, Wang  Z , Su Z, Song J, Zhou L, Sun Q, Liu S, Li S, Li Y, Wang M, Zhang GQ, Zhang X, Liu ZJ*, Lu D* . Gigantol inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling and exhibits anticancer activity in breast cancer cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 18(1): 59. 　 　

3.  Li S, Sun  Q, Li J, Wang Z, Su Z, Song J, Li Y, Lu D* . Ouabain inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling and induces cytotoxicity in cancer cells. Sci Sin Vitae, 2018, 48(1): 73-77. 　 　

4.  Cao TT, Xiang D,  Liu BL, Huang TX, Tan BB, Zeng CM, Wang ZY, Ming XY, Zhang LY, Jin G, Li F, Wu JL, Guan XY, Lu D * , Fu L * .  FZD7 is a novel prognostic marker and promotes tumor metastasis via WNT and EMT signaling pathways in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma . Oncotarget. 8:65957-65968 , 2017 . 　 　

5.  Wang  Z , Li  B ,   Zhou  L , Yu  S ,   Su  Z , Son g J , Sun  Q , Ou Sha  O , Wang  X , Jiang  W , Willert  K , Wei  L , Carson  DA *, Lu  D *. Prodigiosin inhibits Wnt/β-catenin signaling and exerts anticancer activity in breast cancer cells . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA   113(46):13150-13155 , 2016. 　 　

6.  Li C, Zeng M, Chi H, Shen J, Ng TB, Jin G, Lu D , Fan X, Xiong B, Xiao Z, Sha O. Trichosanthin increases Granzyme B penetration into tumor cells by upregulation of CI-MPR on the cell surface. Oncotarget. 8(16):26460-26470 , 2017. 　 　

7.  Tang B , Chow JY ,  Dong TX , Yang SM , Lu D ,   Carethers JM , Dong H . Calcium sensing receptor suppresses human pancreatic tumorigenesis through a novel NCX1/Ca(2+)/β-catenin signaling pathway. Cancer Lett.  10;377(1):44-54 ，2016 . 　 　

8.  Zeng M, Zheng M, Lu D , Wang J, Jiang W, Sha O.   Anti-tumor activities and apoptotic mechanism of ribosome-inactivating proteins.  Chin J Cancer. 34:30 , 2015. 　 　

9.  Lin Y,  Qiu Y, Peng B,  Kaufmann GF,  Xu C, Liu Q, Lan B, Wei C, Chen X, Jiang B, Lu D,  Lu Z, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Edgington T, Guo F.   Functional role of asparaginyl endopeptidase ubiquitination by TRAF6 in tumor invasion and metastasis.   J Natl Cancer Inst ,  106(4):dju012 ， 2014 　 　

10.  Zhou B, Zhang G, Ge Y, Zhou H, L u  D , Zhang X G.   Overexpression of B7-H3 in CD133+ colorectal cancer cells is associated with cancer progression and survival in human patients . Journal of Surgical Research 188 (2) : 396-403 , 2014. 　 　

11.  Fernandez  A,  Huggins  IG, Perna  L,  Brafman  D, Lu  D,   Yao  S, Gaasterland  T,  Carson  DA,  Willert  K. The WNT receptor FZD7 is required for maintenance of the pluripotent state in human embryonic stem cells . Proc Natl Acad Sci USA ,   111:1409-14 , 2014. 　 　

12.  Schmeel LC, Schmeel FC, Kim Y, Endo T, Lu D , Schmidt-Wolf IG. Targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in multiple myeloma.  Anticancer Res . 33:4719-26, 2013. 　 　

13.  Zhang L, Wu H, Lu D , Li G, Sun C, Song H, Li J, Zhai T, Huang L, Hou C, Wang W, 　 　

Zhou B, Chen S, Lu B and Zhang X. The costimulatory molecule B7-H4 promote tumor progression and cell proliferation through translocating into nucleus.   Oncogene 32:5347-58, 2013.   　 　

14.  Kim Y, Gast SM, Endo T, Lu D , Carson D, Schmidt-Wolf IG. In vivo efficacy of the diuretic agent ehtacrynic acid against multiple myeloma. Leuk Res. 36:598-600, 2012. 　 　

15.  Lu D* , Carson DA. Inhibition of Wnt signaling and cancer stem cells. Oncotarget. 2:587, 2011. 　 　

16.  Lu D* , Choi MY, Yu J, Castro JE, Kipps TJ, Carson DA*. Salinomycin inhibits Wnt signaling and selectively induces apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.   Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 108:13253-13257 , 2011. 　 　

This article was highlighted by Nature Medicine (Aranda V. Salinomycin acts through Wnt in CSCs. Nature Medicine . 17:1059, 2011). 　 　

Faculty of 1000 (F1000) also selected and evaluated this article. 　 　

17.  Kim Y, Schmidt M, Endo T, Lu D , Carson D, Schmidt-Wolf IG. Targeting the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway with the antifungal agent ciclopirox olamine in a murine myeloma model. In Vivo. 25:887-893, 2011. 　 　

18.  Schmidt M, Kim Y, Gast SM, Endo T, Lu D , Carson D, Schmidt-Wolf IG. Increased in vivo efficacy of lenalidomide and thalidomide by addition of ethacrynic acid. In Vivo. 25:325-333, 2011. 　 　

19.  Kim Y, Reifenberger G, Lu D , Endo T, Carson DA, Gast SM, Meschenmoser K, Nowak M, Schmidt-Wolf IG. Influencing the Wnt signaling pathway in multiple myeloma. Anticancer Res. 31:725-730, 2011. 　 　

20.  Kim Y, Alpmann P, Blaum-Feder S, Kr�mer S, Endo T, Lu D , Carson D, Schmidt-Wolf IG. Increased in vivo  efficacy of lenalidomide by addition of piroctone alomain. In Vivo . 25:99-103, 2011. 　 　

21.  Kim Y., Alpmann P., Blaum-Feder S., Kr�mer S., Endo T., Lu D.,  Carson D., Schmidt-Wolf I.G. In vivo  efficacy of griseofulvin against multiple myeloma. Leuk Res . 35:1070-3, 2011 . 　 　

22.  Lu D* , and Carson, D.A Repression of b -catenin signaling by PPAR g  ligands. Eur J Pharmacol.  636:198-202, 2010. 　 　

23.  Lu D* , Liu  JX, Endo T,  Zhou H, Yao S, Willert K., Schmidt-Wolf, I.G.H., Kipps, T.J. and Carson, D.A*. Ethacrynic acid exhibits selective toxicity to chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells by inhibition of the Wnt/ b -catenin pathway. PLoS One 4(12):e8294, 2009. 　 　

24.  Lu D* , and Carson, D.A Spiperone enhances intracellular calcium level and inhibits the Wnt signaling pathway . BMC Pharmacol. 9:13, 2009. 　 　

25.  Jin G, Lu D , Yao S, Wu CC, Liu JX, Carson DA, Cottam HB. Amide derivatives of ethacrynic acid: synthesis and evaluation as antagonists of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and CLL cell survival.   Bioorg Med Chem Lett .  19:606-9, 2009. 　 　

26.  Schmidt M, Sievers E, Endo T, Lu D , Carson D, Schmidt-Wolf IG. Targeting Wnt pathway in lymphoma and myeloma cells.   Br J Haematol .  144:796-8, 2009. 　 　

27.  Fukuda T, Chen L, Endo T, Tang L, Lu D , Castro JE, Widhopf GF 2nd, Rassenti LZ, Cantwell MJ, Prussak CE, Carson DA, Kipps TJ. Antisera induced by infusions of autologous Ad-CD154-leukemia B cells identify ROR1 as an oncofetal antigen and receptor for Wnt5a.   Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A . 105:3047-52, 2008. 　 　

28.  Lu D* , Cottam HB, Corr M, Carson DA*. Repression of b -catenin function in malignant cells by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA   102:18567-18571, 2005. 　 　

29.  Kolluri SK, Corr M, James SY, Bernasconi M, Lu D , Liu W, Cottam HB, Leoni LM, Carson DA, Zhang X-K. The R-enantiomer of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug etodolac binds retinoid X receptor and induces tumor-selective apoptosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA  102:2525-2530, 2005. 　 　

30.  Hedvat M, Jain A, Carson DA, Leoni LM, Huang G, Holden S, Lu D , Corr M, Fox W, Agus DB. Inhibition of HER-kinase activation prevents ERK-mediated degradation of PPAR g . Cancer Cell   5: 565-574, 2004. 　 　

31.  Lu D , Zhao Y, Tawatao R, Cottam HB, Sen M, Leoni LM, Kipps TJ, Corr M, Carson DA. Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA  101:3118-3123, 2004. 　 　

32.  Rhee C-S, Sen M, Lu D , Wu C, Leoni L, Rubin J, Corr M, Carson DA. Wnt and frizzled receptors as potential targets for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Oncogene  21:6598-6605, 2002. 　 　

33.  Lu D , Kiriyama Y, Lee KY, Giguere V. Transcriptional regulation of the estrogen-inducible pS2 breast cancer marker gene by the ERR family of orphan nuclear receptors. Cancer Res  61:6755-6761, 2001. 　 　

34.  Lu D , Giguere V. Requirement of Ras-dependent pathways for activation of the transforming growth factor b 3 promoter by estradiol. Endocrinology  142:751-759, 2001. 　 　

35.  Lu D , Boyd B, Lingwood CA. The expression and characterization of a putative adhesin B from Haemophilus influenzae . FEMS Microbiol Lett  165:129-137, 1998. 　 　

36.  Lu D , Boyd B, Lingwood CA. Identification of the key protein for zinc uptake in Haemophilus influenzae . J Biol Chem  272:29033, 1997. 　 　

37.  Chen, Z., Lu, D ., and Wan. S. Epidemiological investigation of Camplylobacter jejuni  infection in children. Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 29:144-146, 1995. 　 　

38.  Lu D , Chen ZX, Wang BL. Age distribution of diarrheal and healthy children infected with Campylobacter jejuni . J Trop Med Hyg 95:218, 1992. 　 　

39.  Xu, H., Chen Z.X., Lu, D . and Wang B.L. Plasmid analysis and antibiotic resistance pattern measurement of Shigella  in Chengdu. J West China University Medical Sciences 23:33, 1992 . 　 　

40.  Lu, D ., Chen Z.X. and Wang B.L. Logistic regression model analysis for the risk factors of Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection. Chinese J Epidemiology 12(supplement 9):52, 1991 . 　 　

41.  Lu, D ., Chen Z.X., Wang B.L. et al. Identification and antibiotic resistance of Campylobacter jejuni  plasmids from patients and chickens. Modern Preventive Medicine 18:150, 1991 . 　 　

42.  Lu, D . The systematological view of the mass health and the epidemics of disease. Chinese J Social Medicine 3:27, 1989 . 　 　

43.  Lu, D ., Chen Z.X., Wang B.L., et al. Survey of Campylobacter jejuni/coli  infection and risk factors in children. J West China University Medical Sciences 20:74, 1989 . 　 　

44.  Chen Z.X.,  Lu, D . and Wang B.L. A survey on Campylobacter jejuni  high infection in a nursery. J West China University Medical Sciences 20:445, 1989 . 　 　

45.  Lu, D ., Chen Z.X. and Wang B.L. Biotyping and plasmid analysis of Campylobacter jejuni/coli  and their preliminary application in epidemiological study. Chinese J Epidemiology 9:36, 1988 . 　 　

46.  Lu, D ., Chen Z.X., Wang B.L. and Xu H. Biotyping and serotyping and plasmid analysis of Campylobacter jejuni/coli . J West China University Medical Sciences 19:34, 1988 . 　 　

47.  Lu, D ., Chen Z.X. and Wang B.L. A follow-up of Campylobacter jejuni/coli  infection of childhood in winter in Chengdu. China Public Health 3:12, 1987 . 　 　

48.  Chen, Z.X., Lu, D . and Wang B.L. et al. Distribution of serotypes of Campylobacter jejuni/coli  isolated from humans and animals in Chengdu. Chinese J Paediatrics 25:328, 1987 . 　 　

49.  Lu, D . and Chen Z.X. Studying progress of Campylobacter jejuni/coli  typing. (review) Foreign Medicine (epidemiology & infectious diseases) 13:193, 1986 . 　 　

50.  Lu, D ., Chen, R., Wang, Z. and Wang M. Study on mortality of coal miners-Cohort analysis. Preventive Medicine in West China 27:111-117, 1983 .

F.  P atent s

1. Wrasidlo WW., Jamieson CH. , Carson DA., Molinski TF.  and Lu D.     Wnt signaling inhibitors and methods for making and using them. 2012/11/06, US    8304408. 　 　

2. Hood J., Barroga C., Carson D.  and Lu D.   Methods for identifying compounds that modulate Wnt signaling in cancer cells ( WO/2009/137630) . I nternational Application #: PCT/US2009/043051. 　 　

3. Hood J., Barroga C., Carson D.  and Lu D.   ( US 2009/0286246A1 ) . Application #: PCT/US2009/043052 . 　 　

4.   Carson DA., Cottam H, Jin G., Lu D.  Amide derivatives of ethacrynic acid.  PCT patent application, Application #: PCT/US2009/006584. 　 　

5.    Lu D ， Dennis Carson DA, Wang Z, Zhou L, Yu S.   Three pyrrolidine derivatives or their pharmaceutically acceptable salts in application of cancer treatment. Chinese Patent (2016109473546) 。