Yonghong Wan

Dr. Yonghong Wan is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine at McMaster University's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. With over 30 years of research experience, Dr. Wan has established herself as a leading expert in cancer immunology and oncolytic virotherapy. Her work bridges basic immunological research with translational applications in cancer therapy, focusing on how the immune system can be harnessed to fight cancer through innovative vaccine approaches and combination therapies.

Dr. Wan's primary research interests center on cancer immunotherapy, particularly the development and optimization of oncolytic virus vaccines. Her laboratory investigates how dendritic cells can be engineered to enhance anti-tumor immune responses, the mechanisms of T-cell activation and exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment, and strategies to overcome immune suppression in cancer. Her work has significant implications for improving current immunotherapies and developing novel treatment approaches for various cancers, including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and HPV-associated malignancies.

Analysis of Dr. Wan's recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a strong focus on combination therapies that integrate oncolytic viruses with other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, epigenetic modifiers, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Her research demonstrates how these combinations can remodel the tumor microenvironment, enhance T-cell function, and overcome treatment resistance. Notably, her work on HDAC inhibitors and interferon signaling pathways has provided new insights into mechanisms that can amplify anti-tumor immunity while minimizing adverse effects.

Dr. Wan has been actively involved in mentoring students and postdoctoral fellows in immunology and cancer research. Her laboratory at McMaster University serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research, bringing together immunologists, virologists, and oncologists to develop innovative cancer treatments. The lab utilizes state-of-the-art techniques in flow cytometry, molecular biology, and in vivo tumor models to investigate immune responses to cancer and test novel therapeutic approaches.