Kwok-wai LO（罗国炜）BSc, MPhil, PhD (CUHK)kwlo@cuhk.edu.hk
Dr KW Lo’s long term research interest is to unveil the molecular basis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). His research group has focused on identification and functional characterization of the NPC-associated tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. He has successfully delineated the early events in NPC tumorigenesis and determined multiple recurrent genetic and epigenetic abnormalities in this EBV-associated cancer. Recently, he has systematically characterized the NPC genome by next-generation sequencing approaches. He also interests in elucidating the deregulated signaling pathways and mechanisms for immune evasion in NPC. Other ongoing research activities include establishment of new tumor models, characterization of cancer stem cells, development of novel biomarkers and therapeutic strategies and elucidation of the roles of EBV in NPC tumorigenesis.
Memberships and Honors
Principal Investigator, State Key Laboratory in Oncology in South China, CUHK
Principle Investigator, Li Ka Sing Institute of Health Science, CUHK
Outstanding Fellow of Faculty of Medicine 2014, CUHK
Ongoing Grants as Project Coordinator/Principle Investigator
RGC 3rd-round Theme-based Research Scheme (2014-2018):
Systematic Development of Molecular Targets for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma [T12-401/13-R]
Awarded amount : HK$55,610,000
RGC General Research Fund (2014-2016):
Characterization of a recurrent transforming UBR5-ZNF423 fusion gene in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma [471413]
Awarded amount : HK$ 952,636

Selected Publications Li YY, Chung GT, Lui VW, TO KF, Ma BB, Chow C, Woo JK, Yip KY, Seo JS, Hui EP, Mak MK, Rusan M, Chau NG, Or YY, Law MH, Law PP, Liu ZW, Ngan HL, Hau PM, Verhoeft KR, Poon PH, Yoo SK, Shin JY, Lee SD, Lun SW, Jia L, Chan AW, Chan JY, Lai PB, Fung CY, Hung ST, Wang L, Chang AM, Chiosea SI, Hedberg ML, Tsao SW, van Hasselt AC, Chan AT, Grandis JR, Hammerman PS, Lo KW*. Exome and genome sequencing of nasopharynx cancer identifies NF-?B pathway activating mutations. Nat Commun, 8:14121, 2017.

Lee HM, Lo KW, Wei W, Tsao SW, Chung GT, Ibrahim MH, Dawson CW, Murray PG, Paterson IC, Yap LF. Oncogenic S1P signalling in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma activates AKT and promotes cell migration through S1P receptor 3. J Pathol, 242:62-72, 2017..

Lo AKF, Dawson CW, Young LS, Lo KW. The role of Metabolic Reprogramming in γ-Herpesvirus-associated Oncogenesis. Int J Cancer, in print, 2017..

Xu M, Cheung CC, Chow C, Lun SW, Cheung ST, Lo KW*. Overexpression of PIN1 enhances cancer growth and aggressiveness with Cyclin D1 induction in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. PLoS One,11: e0156833, 2016.

Lo AK, Dawson CW, Young LS, Ko CW, Hau PM, Lo KW*. Activation of the FGFR1 signaling pathway by the Epstein-Barr Virus-encoded LMP1 promotes aerobic glycolysis and transformation of human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. J Pathol, 237:238-48, 2015.

Tsao SW, Tsang CM, To KF, Lo KW*. The role of Epstein-Barr virus in epithelial malignancies. J Pathol, 235:323-33, 2015.

Yuen JW, Chung GT, Lun SW, Cheung CC, To KF, Lo KW*. Epigenetic inactivation of inositol polyphosphate 4-phosphatase B (INPP4B), a regulator of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. PLoS One, 9: e105163, 2014.

Cheung CC, Chung GT, Lun SW, To KF, Choy KW, Lau KM, Siu SP, Guan XY, Ngan RK, Yip TT, Busson P, Tsao SW, Lo KW*. miR-31 is consistently inactivated in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and contributes to its tumorigenesis. Mol Cancer, 13:184, 2014.

Chung GT, Lung RW, Hui AB, Yip KY, Woo JK, Chow C, Tong CY, Lee SD, Yuen JW, Lun SW, Tso KK, Wong N, Tsao SW, Yip TT, Busson P, Kim H, Seo JS, O’Sullivan B, Liu FF, To KF, Lo KW*. Identification of a recurrent transforming UBR5-ZNF423 fusion gene in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Pathol, 231:158-167, 2013.

Chung GT, Lou WP, Chow C, To KF, Choy KW, Leung AW, Tong CY, Yuen JW, Ko CW, Yip TT, Busson P, Lo KW*. Constitutive activation of distinct NF-?B signals in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Pathol, 231:311-22. 2013.

Lo AK, Lo KW*, Ko CW, Young LS, Dawson CW. Inhibition of the LKB1-AMPK pathway by the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded LMP1 promotes proliferation and transformation of human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. J Pathol, 230:336-46, 2013.

Lun SW, Cheung ST, Cheung PF, To KF, Woo JK, Choy KW, Chow C, Cheung CC, Chung GT, Cheng AS, Ko CW, Tsao SW, Busson P, Ng MH, Lo KW. CD44+ cancer stem-like cells in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. PLoS One, 7:e52426, 2012.

Lo KW*, Chung GT, To KF. Deciphering the molecular genetic basis of NPC through molecular, cytogenetic, and epigenetic approaches. Semin Cancer Biol, 22:79-86, 2012.

Chow C, Wong N, Pagano M, Lun SW, Nakayama KI, Nakayama K, Lo KW. Regulation of APC/CCdc20 activity by RASSF1A-APC/CCdc20 circuitry. Oncogene, 31:1975-87, 2012.

Or YY, Chung GT, To KF, Chow C, Choy KW, Tong CY, Leung AW, Hui AB, Tsao SW, Ng HK, Yip TT, Busson P, Lo KW*. Identification of a novel 12p13.3 amplicon in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. J Pathol. 220:97-107, 2010.