Research Areas

The Yang Lab leads groundbreaking clinical and translational research in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a highly lethal liver cancer with rising incidence in the U.S. The lab focuses on advancing diagnosis, prognosis and treatment strategies through biomarker innovation. Dr. Yang has pioneered the identification of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and cell-free tumor DNA mutations as noninvasive, real-time diagnostic and prognostic tools. His research has demonstrated the prognostic value of CTC-derived gene signatures and explored the potential of extracellular vesicle-based assays to revolutionize HCC management.

Through population-based cohort studies, the Yang Lab has shed light on liver cancer epidemiology, emphasizing racial disparities and global health inequities. The lab employs advanced statistical methods and multistate Markov modeling to propose survival prediction tools for HCC patients, including models assessing the impact of liver cancer surveillance and various treatment on patient outcomes.

Yang’s research highlights significant racial and ethnic disparities in liver cancer, with a focus on early-onset cases and reduced survival rates among African populations. This work emphasizes the urgency for global health initiatives to tackle inequities in cancer care and outcomes.

The Yang Lab is also at the forefront of research on innovative therapies for MASLD and its progression to liver cancer. Recent studies include clinical trials on the use of lisinopril to prevent MASLD progression. Collaborative research efforts aim to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MASLD and alcoholic cirrhosis, paving the way for novel treatment strategies.