Chonghui Cheng, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
Positions
- Professor
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Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center
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Houston, TX, US
- Professor
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Molecular and Human Genetics
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- Professor
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Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology
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Houston, Texas
- Member
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Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center
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Houston, Texas, United States
Education
- MD from Peking University Health Science Center
- Beijing, China
- PhD from Sloan-Kettering Institute/Cornell University Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences
- New York, New York, United States
- Postdoctoral Fellowship at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Honors & Awards
- CPRIT Scholar in Cancer Research
- Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) (06/2016 - 05/2021)
- American Cancer Society Research Scholar
- American Cancer Society (01/2009 - 01/2014)
- Lynn Sage Scholar
- Lynn Sage Foundation (01/2011 - 01/2013)
- Career Development Award
- American Association for Cancer Research (01/2008 - 01/2010)
- Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Scholar
- V Foundation (07/2026 - 07/2030)
- Career Development Award
- The Schweppe Foundation (01/2008 - 01/2010)
- Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation (01/2001 - 12/2003)
- Frank Lappin Horsfall, Jr. Fellowship
- Sloan-Kettering Institute (07/1998 - 06/1999)
Professional Interests
- RNA Binding Proteins
- RNA Splicing
- Breast Cancer Metastasis
- Clinical Applications
- Multi-Omics
Professional Statement
The Cheng Lab seeks to transform discoveries in RNA biology into innovative strategies to understand, prevent, and treat metastatic breast cancer. Working at the interface of RNA biology, cancer biology, and immunology, we investigate the molecular mechanisms by which RNA processing and surveillance govern breast cancer metastasis, tumor-immune interactions, and therapeutic outcomes.
Our research established alternative RNA splicing as a fundamental regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a developmental program that is frequently reactivated during tumor metastasis and recurrence. We have also uncovered a previously unrecognized role for RNA-binding proteins in maintaining transcriptome integrity. We found that these proteins suppress aberrant RNA processing, including cryptic splicing events that can generate immunostimulatory double-stranded RNAs and potentially tumor-specific neoantigens. We are investigating how disruption of these RNA quality-control mechanisms reshapes immune signaling and the tumor microenvironment, revealing new opportunities for cancer immunotherapy.
To address these questions, we integrate molecular biology, functional genomics, computational biology, genetic models, and patient-derived samples to define RNA regulatory networks that drive cancer progression. We work closely with physician-scientists to translate our discoveries into biomarkers and RNA-based therapeutic strategies for metastatic breast cancer while developing new genomic and molecular approaches to study RNA regulation in tumors and patient samples. Ultimately, we aim to harness discoveries in RNA biology to develop innovative therapeutic strategies that improve outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Our research established alternative RNA splicing as a fundamental regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a developmental program that is frequently reactivated during tumor metastasis and recurrence. We have also uncovered a previously unrecognized role for RNA-binding proteins in maintaining transcriptome integrity. We found that these proteins suppress aberrant RNA processing, including cryptic splicing events that can generate immunostimulatory double-stranded RNAs and potentially tumor-specific neoantigens. We are investigating how disruption of these RNA quality-control mechanisms reshapes immune signaling and the tumor microenvironment, revealing new opportunities for cancer immunotherapy.
To address these questions, we integrate molecular biology, functional genomics, computational biology, genetic models, and patient-derived samples to define RNA regulatory networks that drive cancer progression. We work closely with physician-scientists to translate our discoveries into biomarkers and RNA-based therapeutic strategies for metastatic breast cancer while developing new genomic and molecular approaches to study RNA regulation in tumors and patient samples. Ultimately, we aim to harness discoveries in RNA biology to develop innovative therapeutic strategies that improve outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Websites
Selected Publications
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Hu X, Harvey SE, Zheng R, Lyu J, Grzeskowiak CL, Powell E, Piwnica-Worms H, Scott KL, Cheng C. " " Nat Commun.. 2020 ; 11: 486
Pubmed PMID: . -
Huang H*, Zhang J*, Harvey SE*, Hu X, Cheng C. " " Genes Dev.. 2017 ; 31 : 2296-2309.
Pubmed PMID: . -
Xu Y, Gao XG, Lee JH, Huang H, Tan H, Ahn J, Reinke L, Peter ME, Feng Y, Gius D, Siziopikou KP, Peng J, Xiao X, Cheng C. " " Genes Dev. 2014 ; 28 : 1191-1203.
Pubmed PMID: . -
Brown RL, Reinke LM, Damerow MS, Perez D, Chodosh LA, Yang J, Cheng C. " " J Clin Invest. 2011 ; 121 : 1064-1074.
Pubmed PMID: .
Funding
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Regulation and consequences of cryptic splicing
#R35 GM131876 - (04/01/2024 - 03/31/2029)
- NIH/NIGMS
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Mechanisms of tumor cell clustering in breast cancer metastasis
#R01CA276432 - (07/28/2023 - 06/30/2028)
- Grant funding from NIH/NCI
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Targeting Cryptic Splicing-Derived Neoantigens in hnRNPM-Dysregulated Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
#BC241088 - (09/01/2025 - 08/31/2028)
- Grant funding from DoD
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Translational Award
#T2025-013 - (07/15/2025 - 07/14/2029)
- V Foundation
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Enhancing tumor immunogenicity of TNBC through cryptic splicing-derived neopeptide
#Individual Investigator Research Awards - (08/31/2026 - 08/30/2029)
- CPRIT
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