About

Dr. Xuefeng Liu is not explicitly listed or described in the provided page text. The page primarily details the team members, including faculty, research scientists, graduate researchers, and other staff, but does not include a specific biography or research focus for Dr. Liu.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Environmental health
• Demography
• Gerontology
• Internal medicine
• Political Science
• Nursing
• Pathology
• Immunology
• Intensive care medicine
• Surgery

Selected publications

• Association between pressure ulcer and 28-day mortality in septic patients: a retrospective study based on the MIMIC-IV database

  European journal of medical research · 2025-07-16 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcer is a significant issue that cannot be overlooked in septic patients. This study aims to explore the impact of pressure ulcers on the 28 day mortality rate of septic patients. METHODS: The data for this study were obtained from the MIMIC-IV v3.0 database. Univariate and multivariate analysis methods were employed to conduct an in-depth exploration of the 28 day mortality rate of septic patients. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to verify the influence of pressure ulcer on the 28 day mortality rate of septic patients. In addition, subgroup analysis was carried out to reveal the relationship between pressure ulcer and other confounding factors. RESULTS: Among the 20,280 patients included in the MIMIC-IV cohort, 880 had pressure ulcers. Both the results of univariate and multivariate analyses showed that pressure ulcers were a significant influencing factor for the 28 day mortality rate of septic patients (p = 0.002). The survival curves indicated that the 28 day mortality rate of septic patients with pressure ulcers was significantly higher than that of septic patients without pressure ulcers. The Cox proportional hazards model analysis demonstrated that septic patients with pressure ulcers had a 28 day mortality hazard ratio of 1.30 compared with septic patients without pressure ulcers. The results of subgroup analysis suggested that more attention should be paid to the prevention of pressure ulcers in patients younger than 65 years old, male patients, patients with a SOFA score greater than 3, and patients with comorbid diabetes or renal diseases . CONCLUSION: Pressure ulcers may independently associate with increased mortality in septic patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Unveiling racial disparities in prostate cancer using an integrative genomic and transcriptomic analysis

  Cell Insight · 2025-02-17 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Prostate cancer exhibits significant racial disparities, with African American (AA) individuals showing ∼64% higher incidence and 2.3 times greater mortality rates compared to their Caucasian (CA) counterparts. Understanding the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, lifestyle, socioeconomic, and healthcare access factors is crucial for developing effective interventions to reduce this disproportionate burden. This study aims to uncover the genetic and transcriptomic differences driving these disparities through a comprehensive analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and exome sequencing of prostate cancer tissues from both Black and White patients. Our transcriptomics analysis revealed enhanced activity in pathways linked to immune response and cellular interactions in AA prostate cancer samples, with notable regulation by histone-associated transcription factors (HIST1H1A, HIST1H1D, and HIST1H1B) suggests potential involvement of histone modification mechanisms. Additionally, pseudogenes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) among the regulated genes indicate non-coding elements' role in these disparities. Exome sequencing identified unique variants in AA patient samples within key genes, including TP73 (tumor suppression), XYLB (metabolism), ALDH4A1 (oxidative stress), PTPRB (cellular signaling), and HLA-DRB5 (immune response). These genetic variations likely contribute to disease progression and therapy response disparities. This study highlights the importance of considering genetic and epigenetic variations in developing tailored therapeutic approaches to improve treatment efficacy and reduce mortality rates across diverse populations.

  PublisherDOI

• Urine PD-L1 as a non-invasive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy in bladder cancer

  Advances in Biomarker Sciences and Technology · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Bladder cancer (BCa) is a common urological malignancy with a high recurrence rate, often within 2 years of initial diagnosis and treatment. Due to this high recurrence, near all patients require cystoscopic surveillance, which is invasive, uncomfortable, and costly. The cost of surveillance makes this cancer the most expensive cancer per case among all cancer types in the US. Therefore, early detection of recurrence or assessment of patients' response to treatment, particularly through non-invasive methods, is urgently needed. Since immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in many clinical trials for BCa treatment, having non-invasive and reliable biomarkers to select appropriate patients for ICI therapies or predict their treatment responses would be invaluable. Here we summarized the potential applications of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) from urine or urine BCa cell samples in BCa clinical settings. We discuss the use of both the free form of PD-L1 in urine samples and the expression levels of PD-L1 on the BCa cells shed in urine samples. Free PD-L1 can be measured with flow cytometry or ELISA-based approaches, while detecting PD-L1 on BCa cell surface requires isolating the urine-derived cancer cells and analyzing them via flow cytometry. Furthermore, we discuss the promising future research areas of urinary PD-L1 (uPD-L1) in bladder cancer, with a particular focus on the combination of conditional reprogramming cells (CRCs) technology and uPD-L1 studies, followed by an overview of several ongoing research topics. Based on current findings, uPD-L1 shows great potential as a versatile biomarker; however, further research is urgently needed to facilitate its translation into clinical applications.

  PublisherDOI

• Physiological and biochemical indicators in blood of captive yellow-cheeked gibbons and northern white-cheeked gibbons

  BMC Veterinary Research · 2025-05-20

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Gibbons are recognized as a critically endangered primate taxon of significant conservation importance. Given their dwindling populations, accurate disease diagnosis, treatment, and management have become crucial for species preservation. However, the lack of established physiological and biochemical reference ranges currently poses substantial challenges to effective clinical assessment and disease identification in these primates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, blood samples were collected from the gibbons under anesthesia to ensure safe restraint during the procedure. Thirty-four hematological and biochemical parameters were measured from three yellow-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus gabriellae) and six northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) maintained at Beijing Zoo. RESULTS: The results showed that there were no conspicuous differences in hematological indicators between two species (P>0.05). Furthermore, comparative analysis of hematological parameters between the clinically diseased individual presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia and vomiting) and established normal physiological ranges revealed significantly elevated values in hemoglobin (HGB), white blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit (HCT), serum potassium (K), serum sodium (Na), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), serum creatinine (SCR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In contrast, neutrophil count (NSG) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were below normal reference values. Notably, both SCR and BUN exceeded normal ranges by more than three-fold. This suggests that this gibbon's indigestion was caused by impaired kidney function and reduced metabolic capacity. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first comprehensive measurement of thirty-four hematological indicators in both yellow-cheeked gibbons and northern white-cheeked gibbons, which provides reference for early disease diagnosis and clinical treatment of gibbons.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• BNIP3L/BNIP3‐Mediated Mitophagy Contributes to the Maintenance of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

  Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine · 2025-10-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynaecological malignancy, with tumour recurrence and chemoresistance posing significant therapeutic challenges. Emerging evidence suggests that cancer stem cells (CSCs), a rare subpopulation within tumours with self-renewal and differentiation capacities, contribute to these hurdles. Therefore, elucidating the mechanisms that sustain CSCs is critical for improving treatment strategies. Mitophagy, a selective process for eliminating damaged mitochondria, plays a key role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, including CSC survival. Our study demonstrates that ovarian CSCs exhibit enhanced mitophagy, accompanied by elevated expression of the mitochondrial outer membrane receptors BNIP3 and BNIP3L. Knockdown of BNIP3 or BNIP3L significantly reduces mitophagy and impairs CSC self-renewal, indicating that receptor-mediated mitophagy is essential for CSC maintenance. Mechanistically, we identify that hyperactivated NF-κB signalling drives the upregulation of BNIP3 and BNIP3L in ovarian CSCs. Inhibition of NF-κB signalling, either via p65 knockdown or pharmacological inhibitors, effectively suppresses mitophagy. Furthermore, we demonstrate that elevated DNA-PK expression contributes to the constitutive activation of NF-κB signalling, thereby promoting mitophagy in ovarian CSCs. In summary, our findings establish that BNIP3/BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy, driven by DNA-PK-dependent NF-κB hyperactivation, is essential for CSC maintenance. Targeting the DNA-PK/NF-κB/BNIP3L-BNIP3 axis to disrupt mitochondrial quality control in CSCs represents a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent ovarian cancer recurrence and metastasis.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Racial disparities in 3-year cancer-specific and overall survival for metastatic renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid features (msRCC): A retrospective analysis from the SEER database (2010-2020).

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2025-05-28

  article

  e16523 Background: msRCC is an aggressive cancer subtype. However, the impact of racial disparities in this population remains underexplored. This study aims to examine racial disparities in 3-year cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) among patients diagnosed with msRCC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from the SEER database, including 2,122 patients diagnosed with msRCC between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into racial groups: Non-Hispanic White (NHW), Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander (API), and American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN). 3-year CSS and OS were calculated, and racial differences in survival were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for demographic, clinical, and treatment variables. Results: NHB patients exhibited the worst 3-year CSS of 9.3% and OS of 8.6%, compared to 23.3% and 20.9% for NHW, 22.1% and 19.0% for Hispanic, 21.2% and 19.4% for API, and 23.4% and 20.7% for AIAN groups, respectively. Multivariable survival analyses revealed that NHB had a50% increased risk (HR=1.5, 95% CI=1.2-1.8, P<0.0001) of CSS and a 40% higher risk (HR=1.4, 95% CI=1.2-1.7) of OS compared NHW. Additionally, Hispanics had a 20% higher risk (HR=1.2, 95% CI=1.0-1.3, P=0.0331) of OS compared NHW. Markedly, the 3-year CSS and OS rates improved across all racial groups from the period of 2010-2015 to 2016-2020. Despite improvement, NHB patients continued to have the lowest rates of 3-year CSS and OS rates during the later period. ln multivariable survival analyses for 2016-2018, NHB patients faced an 80% increased risk (HR=1.8, 95% CI=1.3-2.4, P<0.0001) of CSS and a 60% higher risk (HR=1.6, 95% CI=1.2-2.2) of OS compared to NHW patients. Conclusions: Racial disparities in 3-year CSS and OS persist in msRCC, with NHB patients consistently exhibiting the poorest outcomes, even as survival rates have improved across all racial groups from 2016 to 2020. This improvement was likely contributed by recent advancements in immunotherapy. The underlying reasons for these disparities remain unclear but may involve genetic predisposition, tumor aggressiveness, or socioeconomic factors. Large-scale genetic and molecular studies are needed to uncover biological contributors and guide targeted interventions. Addressing these disparities is critical to advancing equity in msRCC patients.

  PublisherDOI

• The iceberg of frailty: underlying mechanisms beyond self-reported weight trajectories

  Aging Clinical and Experimental Research · 2025-11-11

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Canonical and non-canonical functions of the non-coding RNA component (TERC) of telomerase complex

  Cell & Bioscience · 2025-03-01 · 4 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  The telomerase complex consists of a protein component (TERT), which has reverse transcriptase activity, and an RNA component (TERC), which serves as a template for telomere synthesis. Evidence is rapidly accumulating regarding the non-canonical functions of these components in both normal or diseased cells. An oligonucleotide-based drug, the first telomerase inhibitor, secured FDA approval in June 2024. We recently summarized the non-canonical functions of TERT in viral infections and cancer. In this review, we expand on these non-canonical functions of TERC beyond telomere maintenance. Specifically, we explore TERC's roles in cellular aging and senescence, immune regulation, genetic diseases, human cancer, as well as involvement in viral infections and host interactions. Finally, we discuss a transcription product of telomere repeats, TERRA, and explore strategies for targeting TERC as a therapeutic approach.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Circulating Human Papillomavirus DNA—Liquid Biopsy in Head and Neck Cancers

  Journal of Medical Virology · 2025-11-28 · 1 citations

  article

  Human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-OPSCC) is clinically and biologically distinct from HPV-negative counterparts, differing in prognosis, failure patterns, and patient demographics. Although outcomes are generally favorable for HPV-OPSCC, large randomized trials have not confirmed the safety or efficacy of treatment de-escalation. Liquid biopsy approaches, particularly those measuring circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPVDNA), have emerged as promising tools for risk stratification, treatment response monitoring, and early recurrence detection. Technologies such as droplet digital PCR and next-generation sequencing offer high sensitivity and specificity in detecting ctHPVDNA, supporting their potential utility in clinical management. Baseline ctHPVDNA levels correlate with tumor burden, HPV integration status, and clinical outcomes. Notably, rapid clearance of ctHPVDNA during radiation therapy is a strong predictor of disease control, whereas persistent or detectable ctHPVDNA after surgery is associated with a heightened risk of recurrence. For surveillance, ctHPVDNA demonstrates high positive and negative predictive values, in some studies surpassing the performance of conventional imaging modalities. Despite these encouraging findings, standardization of assay methodologies and further clinical validation are essential before ctHPVDNA can be fully incorporated into personalized treatment algorithms for HPV-OPSCC.

  PublisherDOI

• Mechanistic insights and <i>in vivo</i> HIV suppression by the BRD4-targeting small molecule ZL0580

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-08-14

  preprintOpen access

  ABSTRACT Epigenetic suppression and durable silencing of HIV represent a promising strategy to achieve ART-free remission, consistent with the “block and lock” HIV cure paradigm. BRD4 is a host epigenetic reader and plays a critical role in HIV transcriptional regulation. We previously identified ZL0580, a first-in-class BRD4-selective small molecule distinct from the pan-BET inhibitor JQ1, which induces HIV epigenetic suppression. However, detailed molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics (PK), and in vivo HIV-suppressive efficacy of ZL0580 remain undefined. Here, we show that ZL0580 selectively targets BRD4 bromodomain 1 (BD1) through interaction with a key glutamic acid residue (E151), as determined by structural modeling and mutagenesis. Transcriptomic profiling by RNA-seq reveals that ZL0580 and JQ1 induce opposing gene expression programs, consistent with their distinct effects on HIV proviral transcription and latency. In a humanized mouse model of HIV infection, ZL0580 monotherapy, or in combination with ART, potently suppressed active HIV replication, reducing the plasma viremia to nearly undetectable levels, and delayed viral rebound following treatment interruption. Collectively, these findings establish ZL0580 as an epigenetic suppressor of HIV in vivo and provide proof-of-concept for its potential as a “block and lock” HIV cure candidate, warranting further optimization and development.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Evaluation of Pre-Analytical Factors of Urine Samples for Urine Cancer Cell Cultures (UCCC) --A Non-Invasive Biomarker – in Monitoring Response and Recurrence of Bladder Cancer

  NIH · $1.8M · 2023–2028

• Developing Functional Human Cell Models to Study Initiation and Progression of Prostate Cancer between AA and EA men

  NIH · $2.1M · 2023–2028

• NIH Grant R21CA18052401

  NIH · $169k · 2015

• Conditionally Reprogrammed Cell Model for Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)

  NIH · $1.9M · 2019–2024

• NIH Grant R21CA180524

  NIH · $197k · 2015

Frequent coauthors

• Yan Wang

  Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College

  1080 shared

• Dan Li

  National Cancer Institute

  809 shared

• Yan Zhang

  University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

  684 shared

• Jian Zhang

  University of Chicago

  504 shared

• Hui Li

  Shenyang University

  384 shared

• Hui Li

  Nanchang Center for Disease Control and Prevention

  384 shared

• Yan Zhang

  Chinese Academy of Sciences

  228 shared

• Shuang Wang

  Liaocheng People's Hospital

  210 shared

Labs

• AI4PathPI

  From Pixels to Prognosis: AI in Action!

Education

• M.D.

  The Ohio State University