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Feng-Chun Yang, M.D., Ph.D.

Professor, The A.B. Alexander Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research Mays Cancer Center

Department of Cell Systems & Anatomy

Currently seeking M.S. & Ph.D. students

Dr. Yang’s laboratory has been focused on investigating the cellular/molecular mechanisms of hematopoietic malignancies, with a specific focus on mutations of ASXL1, ASXL2, PHF6 and NF1 in the pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies. Alteration of ASXL1 gene is frequent in multiple forms of myeloid malignancies, including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), MDS/MPN (such as CMML and JMML), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In contrast, ASXL2 mutations are restricted to patients with t(8;21) AML patients both in children and adults at an incident of 23%. Interestingly, ASXL1 and ASXL2 mutations are mutually exclusive in t(8;21) AML. However, the role of ASXL1/ASXL2 in the pathogenesis of myeloid malignancies and in normal hematopoiesis remains largely unknown. Mutations in NF1 tumor suppressor gene cause the common genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) which is associated with a predisposition to JMML, MDS and AML. Our goal is to identify the therapeutic targets for the treatment of these gene mutation-mediated myeloid malignancies.

Current research projects include:

1)    To understand the cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying ASXL1/ASXL2 and PHF6 alteration-mediated myeloid malignancies

2)    To investigate cooperative gene mutations Asxl1 in accelerating the transformation of myeloid malignancies

3)    To explore the role of bone marrow niche in the development and/or progression of hematological malignancies utilizing murine models of ASXL1/2, PHF6, and NF1.

4)    To identify novel therapeutic targets and to develop novel therapies to treat myeloid malignancies.