Faculty
Hailing Lu, MD, PhD
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Research Assistant Professor
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Study in Dr. Lu's group aims to develop novel immunotherapeutic approaches for breast cancer. This group is particularly interested in developing the anti-tumor potential of natural products. In collaboration with investigators at Bastyr University, Dr. Lu's group is investigating the anti-tumor potential of polysaccharide Kresin (PSK), a mushroom extract. Recent studies from this group have demonstrated that PSK is a selective and potent toll-like receptor-2 (TLR-2) agonist. PSK can stimulate NK cells and augment the therapeutic effect of Herceptin, which is the current front-line therapy for patients with HER2 positive breast cancer. This finding is being translated into a Phase II clinical trial for breast cancer patients. In addition to PSK, Dr Lu's lab is developing the anti-tumor potential of artemisinin and its derivatives, in collaboration with Dr. Tomikazu Sasaki in Department of Chemistry. The long term goal is to develop novel anti-cancer therapies that combine Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) approaches to standard treatment.
