Xiaoyang Qi Lab

Research Focus - Discovery and Development of Phosphatidylserine-targeted Protein-based Nanoagents for Medical Imaging and Therapy

The laboratory of Xiaoyang Qi, PhD, focuses on cell membrane phosphatidylserine (PS) as a unique and specific target for cancer therapy and diagnosis. The lab has recently demonstrated: 1. cancer cell surface PS is critical for creating the TLR2/6-dependent immune-deficient environment that allows tumors to grow and metastasize and to induce drug- and radio-resistance; 2. tumor cells with higher surface PS are more sensitive to the cytotoxicity of various saposin C (SapC)-based lipid nanodrugs, especially SapC-DOPS (BXQ-350, Bexion Pharmaceuticals), a drug composed of the natural protein, SapC and dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS), which is a PS-specific targeted and potent therapeutic agent in preclinical and Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies. This stable drug formulation was originally discovered and developed in Dr. Qi’s laboratory and multiple phase I clinical trials (NCT02859857, NCT04404569, NCT04771897, and NCT03967093) have recently been completed and opened showing a very strong safety profile.

Areas of Expertise

• Drug Development
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Biology
• Tumor Imaging
• In Vivo Tumor Models