Huang Lab — News

Huang Lab Publishes Review on CAR T Cell Therapy in Solid Tumors in Hematological Oncology

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces a new review in Hematological Oncology: "CAR T Cell Therapy in Solid Tumors: Lessons From Early-Phase Clinical Trials and Biological Barriers to Efficacy." The article was first published June 15, 2026, and appears in Volume 44, Issue 4. Authors are Kasie Liu, Vincent Truong Pham, Shaozi Fu, LuZhe Sun, and Gang Huang.

The review uses the success of CAR T cell therapy in blood cancers as a benchmark, then asks why solid tumors have proven so much harder to treat. The authors trace the gap to structural, metabolic, and immunologic barriers that are less prominent in many hematologic malignancies. They examine how antigen heterogeneity, poor T cell trafficking, a suppressive metabolic environment, immunosuppressive signaling, and on-target, off-tumor toxicity each limit CAR T cell infiltration, persistence, and function within solid tumors.

Drawing on preclinical models and early-phase trial data, the authors identify a consistent pattern. Antitumor activity is most achievable when therapies target tumor-enriched antigens, when delivery strategies overcome physical barriers, and when CAR T cells are engineered to resist exhaustion and suppression. The review evaluates next-generation strategies, including cytokine armoring, multi-antigen and logic-gated recognition, regional delivery, and regulatable safety circuits, then proposes a framework for designing CAR T cells around solid tumor biology.

"Solid tumors demand a different design philosophy than blood cancers," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "This review states the barriers honestly and points toward engineered therapies built to function in hostile microenvironments."

The work aligns with the lab's translational programs in cell therapy for solid tumors. Authors V.T.P. and G.H. are co-founders and board members of Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc. and hold equity in the company.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hon.70209

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T-cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Vincent Pham Named a 2026 Future Texas Business Legend by the Texas Business Hall of Fame

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate and Co-Founder and CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics, has been named a 2026 Future Texas Business Legend by the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He received the Carlos & Malú Alvarez Award, which honors emerging entrepreneurial leaders in Texas.

The recognition reflects Vincent's work translating Huang Lab science into Powerhouse Therapeutics, a company advancing cell therapies for solid tumors. It also reflects his broader role in the Texas life science ecosystem, including his leadership in Nucleate Texas. The award connects rigorous science to the entrepreneurial drive needed to bring new therapies toward patients.

"This honor belongs to the whole team and to the science that made the company possible," said Vincent. "Building a biotech in Texas means betting on both the research and the people, and this recognition affirms that bet."

"Vincent pairs scientific depth with rare entrepreneurial instinct," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "Seeing him recognized among Texas business leaders is a proud moment for the lab."

About the Huang Lab

Alejandra Lorenzen to Present Huang Lab Research at the AIM 2026 Health R&D Summit

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Alejandra Lorenzen, PhD student in the lab, will present at the AIM 2026 Health R&D Summit on May 19, 2026. Her presentation features the lab's work on a synthetic blood oxygen carrier, OcVe. We are proud of Alejandra for being chosen to present this work.

The project addresses the long-standing challenge of carrying and delivering oxygen without relying on donated blood. A synthetic oxygen carrier could support trauma care, surgery, and other settings where blood supply is limited. The work reflects the lab's broader interest in metabolism, oxygen biology, and translational technologies with clinical reach.

Abioremedi executive Han Li and members of the Huang Lab will attend the summit to meet potential partners and discuss collaboration around the OcVe program. The summit offers a venue to connect the science with the partners and resources needed to advance it.

"Alejandra is driving an ambitious project at the intersection of chemistry, physiology, and unmet clinical need," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "We are proud to see her chosen for this presentation and glad to share the work with the R&D community at AIM."

About the Huang Lab

Vincent Pham Recognized as a 2026 SynBioBeta Next-Gen BioLeader

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate and Co-Founder and CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics, has been recognized as a 2026 SynBioBeta Next-Gen BioLeader. The program highlights emerging leaders shaping the future of synthetic biology.

Vincent is attending SynBioBeta to connect with synthetic biology leaders and share what Powerhouse Therapeutics is building. His conversations center on the IT-ACTS platform, which pairs tumor-targeting cell therapy with engineered signals designed to remodel the tumor immune microenvironment. The platform reflects a programmable, engineering-first approach to cell and gene therapy.

"Synthetic biology gives us a vocabulary for designing therapies rather than discovering them one molecule at a time," said Vincent. "It is energizing to compare notes with leaders who think about biology as something we can engineer with intent."

About the Huang Lab

Vincent Pham Featured on VelocityTX's Vital Signs Podcast

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate in the Huang Lab, Co-Founder and CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics, and Director of Special Projects for Nucleate Texas, appeared on VelocityTX's Vital Signs podcast in an episode titled "Cowboy Hats and CAR-T Therapy."

The conversation moved from CAR-T cell therapy and liver cancer to the strategy behind building a biotech company in Texas. Vincent discussed Powerhouse Therapeutics and its work on cell therapies for solid tumors, then turned to the harder questions around talent, ecosystem, and what San Antonio's future as a life science hub could look like. The episode also made room for lighter territory, including the finer points of a properly Texan hat.

"Conversations like this help connect the science to the people and the place," said Vincent. "San Antonio has the ingredients to become a serious hub for cell and gene therapy, and that future depends on talent and ecosystem as much as discovery."

About the Huang Lab

Vincent Pham Named an AACR Early-Career Scholar and to Present Cachexia Research at AACR Annual Meeting 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate, has been named an Early-Career Scholar by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) for the 2026 Annual Meeting in San Diego, California, held April 17 to 22. The award recognizes promising early-career investigators and supports their participation in the meeting.

Vincent will deliver two presentations on April 21, both centered on cancer-associated cachexia, the metabolic wasting syndrome that worsens outcomes across many cancers. His oral presentation in the minisymposium is titled "Estrogen therapy alleviates cancer-associated cachexia in mouse models of both sexes." His poster, board #4745, is titled "Tumor-intrinsic Warburg effect as the driver and therapeutic target for cancer-associated cachexia."

"Vincent's work connects tumor metabolism and hormonal biology to a syndrome that takes a real toll on patients," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "Being selected as an Early-Career Scholar reflects both the quality of the science and his promise as an investigator."

"I am grateful for this recognition and excited to share our cachexia work with the field," said Vincent. "The feedback we gather at AACR will sharpen the next round of studies."

About the Huang Lab

Vincent Pham Awarded the GSBS Spring 2026 Travel Award to Support AACR Presentation

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate, has been selected as a recipient of the GSBS Spring 2026 Travel Award from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at UT Health San Antonio.

The award provides $1,500 to support Vincent's attendance and presentation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). At the meeting, he will present the lab's work on cancer-associated cachexia, including studies on estrogen therapy and the tumor-intrinsic Warburg effect.

"This support reflects the strength of Vincent's research and the school's investment in its trainees," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "We are grateful to GSBS for helping bring this work to a national audience."

"I appreciate the GSBS Travel Award and the opportunity it creates," said Vincent. "Presenting at AACR lets us share our findings and gather feedback that will shape the next studies."

About the Huang Lab

Huang Lab Publishes Commentary on Driver Mutation Landscapes in Essential Thrombocythemia in Blood Science

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces a new commentary in Blood Science: "Driver mutation-defined molecular landscapes of essential thrombocythemia." The article appears in Volume 8, Issue 1, March 2026. Authors are Alejandra L. Lorenzen and Gang Huang.

The commentary examines a recent single-cell study of essential thrombocythemia, a myeloproliferative neoplasm marked by excessive platelet production and elevated clotting risk. That study profiled highly purified hematopoietic stem cells from treatment-naive patients, pairing single-cell sequencing with detection of the disease's driver mutations across JAK2, CALR, MPL, and triple-negative subtypes.

Lorenzen and Huang highlight three contributions. Each driver mutation imprints a distinct stem cell program, from lipid metabolic rewiring in MPL-mutated cells to mTOR-driven proliferation in CALR-mutated cells and inflammatory priming in JAK2-mutated cells. A specific CXCR4-positive stem cell subset is consistently depleted across all subtypes, and restoring it delayed disease onset in mice. Triple-negative disease carries a proliferative stem cell state that resembles mutated cells despite lacking the canonical drivers.

The authors weigh what these findings mean for tailored therapy while noting important limits, including questions about whether CXCR4 is a true functional driver and the difficulty of translating these strategies without harming normal blood formation. They argue that preserving balanced stem cell diversity may become a complementary therapeutic goal.

"This work reframes essential thrombocythemia around stem cell heterogeneity rather than clonal dominance alone," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "Alejandra's analysis points toward mutation-informed strategies and the careful validation still needed before they reach patients."

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/BS9.0000000000000273

About the Huang Lab

Huang Lab Publishes JCI Insight Study on RNA Polymerase, R-Loops, and Bone Marrow Failure in Fanconi Anemia

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces a new study in JCI Insight: "Insights and modulation of RNA polymerase-dependent R-loop and dsRNA in Fanconi anemia hematopoietic stem cells." The article was published February 26, 2026, and appears in Volume 11, Issue 7. Authors are Michihiro Hashimoto, Xiaomin Feng, Jie Bai, Huimin Zeng, Tian Li, Jue Li, Terumasa Umemoto, Paul R. Andreassen, and Gang Huang.

Fanconi anemia is the most common inherited bone marrow failure syndrome, yet how the disease drives that failure has been hard to study because deleting a single Fanconi anemia gene in mice does not reproduce it. To close that gap, the team built a new mouse model that pairs loss of Fanca with reduced Setd2, a regulator that restrains transcription by RNA polymerases. The model develops severe bone marrow failure that more closely mirrors the human disease.

Across patient-derived cells and stem cells from the new model, the authors found shared defects. R-loops and double-stranded RNA accumulated, ribosome production faltered, and stem cells showed cell cycle arrest and errors during division. These features link transcription-driven genomic stress to the collapse of blood-forming stem cells.

The study also points to a possible treatment. Juglone, a pan-RNA polymerase inhibitor, lowered R-loop and double-stranded RNA levels, restored ribosome biogenesis, reduced division errors, and rescued bone marrow failure in the model. The findings nominate inhibition of RNA polymerases as a therapeutic avenue worth further preclinical study, potentially making safer autologous approaches more feasible for patients.

"This model finally lets us study why the bone marrow fails in Fanconi anemia, not just that it does," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator and corresponding author. "Showing that an RNA polymerase inhibitor can rescue stem cell function opens a direction beyond transplantation that we are eager to pursue."

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.192126

About the Huang Lab

Huang Lab Awarded American Cancer Society EDS Accelerator Grant to Advance Preclinical Development of PH102 for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The Huang Lab was awarded an American Cancer Society EDS Accelerator Grant to support the preclinical development of PH102 for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The award strengthens the lab’s translational pipeline and supports the next phase of work needed to move this program toward broader development.

Huang Lab Publishes JCI Study Showing Luspatercept Improves Anemia in a Sickle Cell Disease Model

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces a new research letter in the Journal of Clinical Investigation: "Luspatercept ameliorates disease phenotype and complications in the Townes mouse model of sickle cell disease." The article was published February 2, 2026, and appears in Volume 136, Issue 3. Authors are Maiko Sezaki, Tian Li, Mingzhe Pan, Zhihong Wang, Jie Bai, Justin G. Horowitz, Julia Z. Xu, and Gang Huang.

Sickle cell disease causes chronic anemia and painful vaso-occlusive crises, and current options for the anemia carry real drawbacks. Transfusions can lead to iron overload and immune reactions, and erythroid-stimulating agents have shown inconsistent results. The study tested luspatercept, a fusion protein that traps TGF-beta ligands and is already approved for beta-thalassemia and some myelodysplastic syndromes, as an alternative approach.

In the Townes mouse model of sickle cell disease, luspatercept extended survival and improved red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Treated mice showed fewer sickled and abnormal cells, fewer circulating reticulocytes, and longer-lived, better-quality red cells with lower mitochondrial content. The benefits did not depend on raising fetal hemoglobin.

The authors also traced effects upstream in the bone marrow and spleen, including relief from anemia-driven stress on blood-forming stem cells and reduced reliance on extramedullary hematopoiesis. A shift toward patrolling monocytes, which clear endothelium-adherent sickle cells, points to protection against vaso-occlusion. Together the results build a rationale for clinical trials of luspatercept in patients with sickle cell disease.

"Managing anemia in sickle cell disease is a balancing act, and luspatercept improved the blood on several fronts at once," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "These preclinical results make a strong case for testing the drug in patients."

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI197706

About the Huang Lab

Vincent Pham to Present at the 2025 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The Huang Laboratory at UT Health San Antonio is proud to announce that Vincent Pham, PhD candidate in the Cancer Biology discipline and member of the Huang Lab, will present his research at the 2025 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium (SALCS).

The San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium, hosted annually by the Mays Cancer Center and UT Health San Antonio, brings together leading clinicians, researchers, and industry experts to discuss the latest advances in liver cancer diagnosis, treatment, and translational research. The symposium emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration aimed at improving outcomes for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other liver malignancies.

Vincent's presentation will feature recent preclinical work on PH102, a GPC3-targeted CAR T-cell therapy designed to overcome immune resistance in solid tumors. His research explores how PH102 reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) to enhance T-cell infiltration, persistence, and cytotoxicity in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma models. The project represents a collaborative effort between the Huang Lab and Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc, where Vincent also serves as CEO.

As part of the symposium's scientific program, his presentation reflects UT Health San Antonio's growing leadership in translational immunotherapy and the Mays Cancer Center's mission to accelerate breakthroughs in precision cancer medicine through academic–industry partnerships.

The Huang Lab congratulates Vincent on this recognition and is proud to support his ongoing efforts to translate innovative cell-based therapies like PH102 from the bench to the bedside.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Gang Huang to Present at the 2025 La Frontera Symposium on Immunological Advances in the Tumor Microenvironment

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — The Huang Laboratory at UT Health San Antonio is proud to announce that Dr. Gang Huang, Professor in the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy and faculty member of the Mays Cancer Center, will present his latest work on PH102 at the upcoming La Frontera Symposium, hosted by the Long School of Medicine's Office for Research.

This year's symposium, themed "Immunological Advances in the Tumor Microenvironment," will bring together leading scientists in cancer biology and immunology to discuss cutting-edge approaches that reshape our understanding of immune regulation in cancer progression and therapy resistance. The event will be co-hosted by Drs. Laurence Morel, Nu Zhang, Lei Zheng, and Tim Huang, and organized in collaboration with the Departments of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, Molecular Medicine, and the Mays Cancer Center.

Dr. Huang's presentation will focus on PH102, a GPC3-targeted CAR T-cell therapy developed to overcome the barriers that have historically limited the success of cellular immunotherapies in solid tumors. His talk will highlight recent preclinical findings demonstrating how PH102 reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment (TiME) through multi-pathway targeting and immune activation, leading to improved infiltration, persistence, and anti-tumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

In addition to Dr. Huang, the symposium will feature presentations from Dr. Josephine Taverna, Dr. Chia-Nung Hung, Dr. Manjeet Rao, and keynote speaker Dr. Drew Pardoll, Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine and a global leader in cancer immunology and translational immunotherapy.

Dr. Huang's presentation underscores UT Health San Antonio's growing leadership in cell-based immunotherapies and the Mays Cancer Center's mission to develop next-generation precision immunotherapies for both solid tumors and hematologic cancers through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Publishes Review on Mitophagy, Cancer, and Neurodegeneration in Journal of Hematology & Oncology

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces a new review in the Journal of Hematology & Oncology: “Mitophagy’s impacts on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases: implications for future therapies.” Authors are Jason Huang, Vincent Truong Pham, Shaozi Fu, Gang Huang, Ya-Guang Liu, and Lei Zheng. The article was published on August 1, 2025 and is cited as J Hematol Oncol 2025;18:78. DOI: 10.1186/s13045-025-01727-w. The article is available open access at https://jhoonline.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13045-025-01727-w.

The review synthesizes evidence that defects or hyperactivation of mitophagy help explain the long-observed inverse relationship between cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. It details how shifts between fatty acid and glucose metabolism, mitochondrial quality control, and reactive oxygen species intersect with disease risk and progression. The paper outlines therapeutic opportunities that modulate mitophagy with emerging tool compounds and clinical candidates.

“These insights frame mitophagy as a shared control point for two seemingly opposite disease trajectories,” said Gang Huang, PhD. “Targeting mitochondrial quality control could enable precision strategies for cancer and neurodegeneration.” The article includes comparative frameworks and curated tables on mitophagy modulators with potential translational relevance.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Awarded Owens Medical Research Foundation Grant

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Gang Huang, PhD, professor in the Departments of Cell Systems and Anatomy and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; holder of the Kathryn Mays Johnson Distinguished Chair in Oncology; associated with UT Health San Antonio's Mays Cancer Center, received funding from the William and Ella Owens Medical Research Foundation for the following project.

Project: The role of the Warburg effect on cellular and systemic energy metabolism in PDAC cachexia

Synopsis: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, or PDAC, is one of the deadliest types of cancer and is often diagnosed in its later stages. A common and very serious problem that the majority of PDAC patients face is called cancer-associated cachexia, or CAC—a profound weight loss and muscle wasting condition that not only weakens patients but also makes treatments less effective. CAC-induced organ failure is the primary cause of death in patients with advanced cancer, and unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved treatments for the condition.

This project investigates how the loss of a key regulator gene, called LKB1 or STK11, in PDAC cells leads to a chain reaction in the body's energy use, known as the Warburg effect. In healthy cells, LKB1 helps maintain balanced energy production by activating AMPK. When LKB1 is missing, cancer cells accelerate their sugar-burning processes (glycolysis), while reducing fat-burning processes like fatty acid oxidation and other energy-generating pathways. This shift forces the tumor to use up large amounts of glucose, lowering blood sugar levels throughout the body. As a result, the patient's muscles and fat stores are broken down to compensate, contributing to the severe weight loss seen in cachexia. Eventually, this unintentional weight loss leads to weakness, fatigue, anorexia, pain, depression and systemic organ failure.

By pinpointing the exact molecular events that drive this imbalance in both cells and animal models, researchers aim to develop new therapies that block the tumor's hijacking of the body's energy stores.

Mays Cancer Center Awards Multi-Program Grant to Study Mitophagy in Cancer-Associated Cachexia

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Mays Cancer Center has awarded a Multi‑Program grant to Gang Huang, PhD (MCC and UT Health San Antonio) and Maria Gonzalez Porras, PhD (MCC and University of Texas at San Antonio) for a collaborative project titled "Mitophagy's Role in Adipose Tissue Depletion During Cancer‑Associated Cachexia."

Cancer‑associated cachexia is a metabolic syndrome marked by involuntary weight loss and functional decline. The project will define how defective or excessive mitophagy contributes to adipose tissue wasting, and whether restoring balanced mitochondrial quality control can preserve fat mass and improve systemic metabolism. The team will combine mechanistic models, tissue‑level imaging, and metabolic flux analyses, with an eye toward translational targets.

"This award accelerates our effort to connect mitochondrial quality control with whole‑body wasting," said Dr. Huang. "We aim to identify actionable nodes that can be tested preclinically."

The Multi‑Program mechanism supports cross‑institutional, cross‑disciplinary projects that unite basic discovery with translational potential. Findings from this work are expected to inform future therapeutic studies for cachexia across tumor types.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Vincent Pham to Present Huang Lab Research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate, will present new preclinical findings at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator, will attend the meeting alongside Vincent.

Vincent will share data on PH102, a GPC3‑targeted CAR T‑cell therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma. The presentation highlights strategies to overcome solid‑tumor resistance and to improve T‑cell function in the tumor microenvironment.

"Our team is advancing cell therapies that address the toughest barriers in liver cancer," said Dr. Huang. "This work reflects rigorous science and a clear path toward first‑in‑human studies."

"It is an honor to present at AACR," said Vincent. "We are excited to discuss our results with the cancer research community and gather feedback that will guide the next studies."

Presentation details: Session "CAR Therapies: Emerging Approaches and Combinations," Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 2:00–5:00 PM, Poster Section 38, Poster Board 20, Poster 6112. Conference organizers will provide a poster hall map on site.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Publishes JCI Study Linking Cpt1a Loss to Metabolic Rewiring and Defective Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces a new publication in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that defines an essential role for CPT1A in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) maintenance. The study, published January 9, 2025, reports that deleting Cpt1a in the hematopoietic system disrupts HSC quiescence and self‑renewal while driving premature differentiation.

Using a hematopoiesis‑specific Cpt1a conditional knockout model, the team shows that loss of Cpt1a increases respiratory chain components and activity in HSCs. This elevates ATP production and mitochondrial ROS and shifts metabolism toward glucose‑fueled oxidative phosphorylation. The findings reveal how the balance between fatty acid β‑oxidation and glucose‑driven OXPHOS safeguards stem cell function.

"Our data clarify a central metabolic checkpoint for stem cell homeostasis," said senior author Gang Huang, PhD. "CPT1A restrains mitochondrial over‑activation in HSCs, preserving quiescence and long‑term function." The multi‑institutional study includes collaborators from UT Health San Antonio, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital.

The article, "Loss of Cpt1a results in elevated glucose‑fueled mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and defective hematopoietic stem cells," appears in JCI (J Clin Invest. 2025;135(5):e184069; doi:10.1172/JCI184069). https://www.jci.org/articles/view/184069

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. The team integrates hematology and solid‑tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. The lab advances cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors, and also pursues research in trauma and military health. Through collaboration, product‑minded innovation, and hands‑on training, the Huang Lab works to move discoveries into solutions that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Announces Presentations at the 2024 American Society for Hematology Annual Meeting

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio will present new findings in hematopoietic stem cell biology and therapeutic mechanisms at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society for Hematology (ASH). Presenters include Gang Huang, PhD, and postdoctoral scholars Maiko Sezaki, PhD, and Jie Bai, PhD. The team will also share collaborative data on AND017 with Kind Pharmaceutical.

Jie Bai will deliver an oral presentation, "Chromatin Modifier Hmga1 Maintains Hematopoietic Stem Cell Integrity in Stress Conditions," in Session 501, Epigenetic and Metabolic Control of Hematopoiesis, on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 9:45 AM.

Maiko Sezaki will present the oral talk, "Luspatercept Promotes Heme Biosynthesis and Erythroblast Island Formation in a Novel Low‑Risk MDS Mouse Model," in Session 636, Novel Mechanisms of Aberrant Hematopoiesis and Immune Evasion in MDS, on Monday, December 9, 2024, at 2:45 PM.

Gang Huang and collaborators will present two poster studies on Sunday and Monday evenings. "Pharmacological Evaluation of a First‑in‑Class Hemoglobin Elevating Agent (HbEA) AND017 in Townes SCD Mouse Model" appears in Session 113 on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. "Pharmacological Evaluation of a First‑in‑Class Hemoglobin Elevating Agent (HbEA) AND017 in a Mouse MDS Model of an Inducible Mutant c‑Myc Knock‑in" appears in Session 604 on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. These AND017 studies are conducted in collaboration with Kind Pharmaceutical.

The lab will also present the poster "Loss of Cpt1a Results in Elevated Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species from Glucose‑Fueled Oxidative Phosphorylation and Defective Hematopoietic Stem Cells" in Session 501, Poster III, on Monday, December 9, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

"These studies connect chromatin regulation, mitochondrial metabolism, and therapeutic response. They point to actionable biology across anemia, MDS, SCD, and stem cell function," said Dr. Huang. "Our collaboration with Kind Pharmaceutical advances preclinical work aimed at improving anemia across diseases."

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

About Kind Pharmaceutical

KIND is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative medicines to treat hematological diseases and cancers. The company's mission, "kind to human, humble to science, good to patients", drives its commitment to advancing current science to meet unmet medical need. KIND's lead clinical candidate, AND017, first-in-class hemoglobin elevating agent (HbEA), is being developed for treating anemia of various disorders, including dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (DD-CKD) associated anemia, non-dialysis dependent (NDD) CKD associated anemia, cancer related anemia (CRA), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) anemia, sickle cell disease (SCD), and β-thalassemia. KIND's second clinical candidate, AND019, an orally available brain penetrant selective estrogen receptor degrader (SERD), is being developed to treat ER+/Her2- breast cancer. KIND is also developing promising disruptive next generation ADC technologies.

Vincent Pham Selected for Inaugural EDGe T32 Cancer Training Program

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announces that Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate, has been selected for the inaugural cohort of the NCI T32 Epigenetics, DNA Repair and Genomics (EDGe) Training Program in Cancer, T32CA279363.

Vincent's appointment began on October 1, 2024, and runs through September 30, 2025, with a second year contingent on progress. The program provides stipend support, partial tuition and fee coverage, structured coursework, career development, and mentored research. Trainees receive support to present at national cancer conferences and are expected to pursue an individual fellowship such as the NIH F31 during the first year.

"The EDGe program aligns with Vincent's rigorous approach to discovery and translation," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator. "This training will deepen his expertise in epigenetics and genomics while advancing our lab's research."

"I am honored to join the inaugural cohort," said Vincent. "The curriculum, mentorship, and expectations fit my research on tumor immunology and cancer‑associated cachexia. I look forward to contributing and learning."

The EDGe Training Program is led by Program Director Dr. Alex Bishop, PhD and Co‑Director Dr. Robin Leach, PhD. Trainees participate in advanced coursework, journal clubs, seminars, experimental design workshops, and an annual joint training retreat.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Awarded Morrison Trust Grant to Study Tumor-Derived Lactate in Cancer-Associated Cachexia

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio has been selected for funding by the Morrison Trust for the project "Mechanisms of tumor‑derived lactate in blood as a driver of cancer‑associated cachexia."

Cancer‑associated cachexia is a metabolic syndrome that worsens outcomes and quality of life. This project will examine how lactate released by tumors circulates in blood, reprograms distant tissues, and contributes to muscle and fat loss. The team will apply rigorous mechanistic and translational approaches to identify actionable targets.

"We are grateful to the Morrison Trust for this investment," said Gang Huang, PhD, principal investigator. "Understanding how tumor‑derived lactate drives systemic wasting can open new therapeutic paths for patients."

"This support accelerates our work toward measurable clinical impact," said Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate. "We aim to define clear mechanisms that point to interventions."

The Morrison Trust supports research and the improvement of methods to treat and prevent human illness. Its mission spans nutrition, blood chemistry, radionics, electricity, and related fields. The Trust also advances the sharing and application of new knowledge by qualified clinicians and institutions.

About the Huang Lab

Huang Lab to Present Preclinical PH102 Data at the 2024 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio will present new preclinical data on PH102 at the 2024 San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium. Dr. Gang Huang will deliver a seminar talk. Vincent Pham, Cancer Biology PhD Candidate, will present a poster highlighting complementary results.

PH102 is a GPC3‑targeted CAR T‑cell therapy in development for hepatocellular carcinoma. The preclinical program evaluates strategies to improve T‑cell activity and durability in the tumor microenvironment.

"Our team is building a clear translational path for PH102," said Dr. Huang. "We are excited to share progress with the liver cancer community in San Antonio."

"We look forward to feedback from clinicians and researchers," said Pham. "These discussions will help shape the next phase of development."

The San Antonio Liver Cancer Symposium is hosted by the Mays Cancer Center. The meeting gathers global experts to discuss advances in liver cancer research and care.

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Publishes Review on Cytokine Storm Syndromes in Frontiers in Immunology

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab announces the publication of a review titled "Into the storm: the imbalance in the yin‑yang immune response as the commonality of cytokine storm syndromes" in Frontiers in Immunology. The article appears in the Inflammation section, Volume 15.

Authors include Amy Armstrong, Yuting Tang, Neelam Mukherjee, Nu Zhang, and Gang Huang of UT Health San Antonio and collaborating institutions. The article's DOI is 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1448201.

The review proposes that cytokine storm syndromes arise from a sustained tilt toward immune activation with inadequate contraction. It synthesizes evidence across conditions to explain hyperinflammation and organ injury.

The authors note that steroids have broad utility yet limited impact on outcomes in many settings. They argue for stage‑specific, targeted approaches that restore immune balance.

"This framework clarifies why patients diverge clinically and how precision therapies might correct the imbalance," said Gang Huang, PhD. "We hope it guides better interventions."

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

Huang Lab Spins Off PH102 and Solid-Tumor Cell Therapy Programs into Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announced the formation of Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc, a biotechnology startup created to advance PH102 and a subset of the lab's solid‑tumor cell therapy portfolio toward the clinic. The new company will focus on translational development, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory milestones while the Huang Lab continues discovery research and early preclinical studies.

PH102 is a GPC3‑targeted CAR T‑cell therapy in development for hepatocellular carcinoma. Preclinical data support its potential to address resistance in solid tumors. By moving PH102 and related programs into an industry vehicle, the team aims to shorten the path from proof‑of‑concept to first‑in‑human evaluation.

"The spin‑off lets us keep doing what we do best in the academic setting while ensuring our most promising assets have the dedicated resources needed for clinical translation," said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator of the Huang Lab. "It strengthens our collaborations with clinicians and industry and keeps patients at the center of our goals."

"Powerhouse Therapeutics will concentrate on IND‑enabling studies, process development, and partnerships that position these therapies for real‑world impact," said Vincent Pham, CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics. "We look forward to building on the lab's science with a focused development plan."

Powerhouse Therapeutics was founded by scientists affiliated with UT Health San Antonio. The company will collaborate with academic and clinical partners to advance cell therapies for treatment‑resistant solid tumors. The Huang Lab remains committed to rigorous discovery, training, and open scientific collaboration. To learn more, visit the company's website at: https://www.ph-therapeutics.com/

About the Huang Lab

The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.

About Powerhouse Therapeutics

Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc is a biotechnology company developing cell-based therapies that tackle treatment resistance in solid tumors and fibrotic diseases. Built on our proprietary Immune Triad Therapy with Armed CAR T-cell Supercharger (IT-ACTS) platform, we engineer multimodal living drugs that deliver targeted payloads, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and restore tissue homeostasis. Our lead candidate, PH102, is an autologous IT-ACTS therapy poised for clinical entry, with off-the-shelf and anti-fibrotic programs advancing in parallel. Founded by leading academic scientists, we combine academic rigor with translational speed to deliver paradigm-shifting therapies for all patients.