Research interests

Professor Lee Kyung-Hwa's laboratory is conducting a joint study with Professor Moon Kyungsub on cancer biology based on pathological method that directly explores and interprets human samples. Focusing on malignant glioma, metastatic brain cancer, gastrointestinal cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, the following research is being conducted.

1. Identification of therapeutic resistance factors for malignant glioma

- The concept of epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a long-known concept in the field of carcinomas of epithelial origin. However, the fact that epithelial-mesenchymal transition plays an important role in malignant glioma has only begun to be applied only recently.

We are studying the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition factors as an important element that constitutes genetic and biological diversity of malignant glioma, and is responsible for increasing therapeutic resistance to chemoradiation therapy.

- KITENIN (KAI1 C-terminal-interacting tetraspanin) was shown to contribute the progression of malignant glioma in association with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and increased expression of cancer stem cell factor. The role that contributes to the progression of tumor malignancies through the regulation of environmental immune factors is being investigated.

We are now identifying immune factors of tumor microenvironment that contributes to the progression of malignant glioma in association of altered KITENIN expression.

2. The molecular genetic characteristics of brain metastatic carcinoma and the role of the tumor microenvironment

- Brain metastasis, which occurs in various primary carcinomas such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and gastrointestinal carcinoma, causes a significant decrease in quality of life for patients and constitutes a major axis of cancer-related mortality. Despite various treatment efforts such as chemoradiation therapy and surgery, it shows resistance to treatment and has a low survival rate.

- It is well known that molecular genetic diversity increases in the progression of cancer, and it is estimated that certain molecular genetic selection occurs in relation to brain metastasis. Through the study of paired specimens of primary-metastatic cancer from the same patient, we are conducting research to analyze genetic mutations involved in the process of brain metastasis and to track changes in the immune environment.

- Cancer-associated fibroblast is known to have a great influence on the progression of cancer, but in the case of brain metastatic cancer, the study was relatively limited due to the specificity of the brain tissue. Using patient-derived samples and animal models, research is underway to identify the genetic key factors of cancer-associated fibroblasts, explore biological roles, and discover new therapeutic targets through treatment resistance control.

3. Research on the molecular genetic characteristics of gastrointestinal carcinoma and the role of the tumor microenvironment

- The current chemotherapy is based on the interpretation of the molecular genetic characteristics of carcinomas, and the molecular genetic analysis of gastrointestinal carcinoma has a great influence on the plan of chemotherapy and the classification of tumors. Analysis of molecular genetic and immunological characteristics specific to Korean-based carcinomas is being conducted.

- In the case of colorectal cancer, therapeutic resistance to chemoradiation is an important clinical issue. Molecular genetic characteristics, differences in immune environment, treatment resistance in association with cancer-associated fibroblast are being explored by comparing the treatment-sensitive patient group and the treatment-resistant group through a joint study with Professor Soo-Young Lee of the Department of Colorectal surgery.

4. Analysis of pathological characteristics and microenvironmental factors of neurodegenerative diseases

- In Korea, we only recently began to collect brain tissues of neurodegenerative diseases based on brain banks, and to conduct sample-based analysis and research. In collaboration with Profs. Byeong C. Kim and Seong-Min Choi of the department of Neurology, samples of brain bank-based neurodegenerative diseases are collected and analyzed, and molecular genetic characteristics and microenvironmental factors are analyzed according to anatomical sites for each disease. The collection and analysis of control specimens compared to the neurodegenerative disease group is being carried out in collaboration with Prof. Hyung-Seok Kim of the department of Forensic medicine. 

KITENIN 과발현 세포주를 이용한 뇌종양모델 실험에서 KITENIN 과발현관련 테모졸로마이드 항암저항성 증가와 암줄기세포 인자인 ALDH1, CD44의 증가​

알츠하이머병, 편도체우세 루이소체병, 변연우세 연령관련 TDP-43 뇌병증을 가진 뇌부검 증례의 육안소견사진과 현미경소견​

etc

• EDUCATION:
• 1990-1994 Bachelor of Science (B.Sc)
• Department of Atmospheric Science Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences
• 1997-2001 Bachelor of Medicine(M.B.)
• Chonnam National University Medical School
• 2003-2005 Master of Medicine(M.M.)
• Chonnam National University Graduate School
• 2005-2008 Doctor of Medicine(Ph.D.)
• Chonnam National University Graduate School
• POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND ACADEMIC POSITIONS:
• 2002-2003 Intern, Chonnam National University Hospital
• 2003-2007 Resident, Department of Pathology,
• Chonnam National University Hospital
• 2007-2008 Full-time Instructor, Department of Pathology,
• College of Medicine
• 2008-2010.2 Associate Professor, Department of Pathology
• Seonam University College of Medicine
• 2010.3-2010.5 Full-time Instructor, Department of Pathology,
• Chonnam National University Medical School
• 2010.7-2012.6 Neuropathology fellow
• Neuropathology division, Department of Pathology
• McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University
• 2010.5-2015.10 Assistant Professor and Pathologist, Department of Pathology,
• Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital
• 2015.11-2016.8 Associate Professor and Pathologist, Department of Pathology,
• Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital
• 2016.9 - present Associate Professor and Pathologist, Department of Pathology,
• Chonnam National University Medical School
• LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE:
• 2001 Medical Doctor License(SouthKorea),No.72609
• 2006 United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE),
• Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduate (ECFMG) Certificate
• 2007 Board Certificate in Anatomic Pathology (SouthKorea), No. 729
• 2007 United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), Step3
• PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:
• Korean Society of Pathologists
• Korean Neuropathology Study Group
• American Association of Neuropathologists, Affiliate Member
• American Association of Cancer Research, Active Member