Li Du

Li Du, Ph.D. is an Associate Research Professor at the Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation within City of Hope. Her research centers on the role of SUMOylation in cancer progression and anti-tumor immunity, with a focus on developing novel therapeutic strategies for blood cancers.

Research Focus:

• Investigates cellular signaling pathways of SUMOylation in cancer cells and tumor immune microenvironment
• Develops inhibitors to target SUMOylation for overcoming drug resistance in hematologic malignancies
• Identified SUMO inhibitor drugs showing anti-tumor activity in preclinical models
• Proved SUMOylation inhibition enhances multiple myeloma sensitivity to dexamethasone and lenalidomide
• Current work explores mechanisms of immune therapy failure and regimens to potentiate CAR T cell therapy and antibody-based treatments