header-logo
Research Bench Lab
Microbiology & Immunology

Yu Laboratory

Location
Microbiology & Immunology
BSB B2325

General Interests
Tumor Immunology, Cancer Immunotherapy, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, Graft-versus-Host Disease, Graft-versus-Leukemia Effect

View Xue-Zhong Yu bio
Xue-Zhong Yu Laboratory

Research Areas

The research scope of Dr. Yu’s laboratory (Yu Lab) is in tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy. The researchers in Yu’s Lab have been focusing on two lines of basic and translational studies:

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (allo-HCT). Acting through donor lymphocyte-mediated mechanisms termed the graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect, allo-HCT is an effective therapy for hematological malignancies such as leukemia. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a prominent cause of transplant-related morbidity and mortality after allo-HCT. Despite advances in patient care and pharmacologic prophylactic strategies, the incidence of GVHD, especially cGVHD, has not been substantially reduced over the years. Furthermore, corticosteroids remain as the first line therapy for GVHD and frequently fail with life-threatening consequences. Yu Lab focuses on defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the pathogenicity of allogeneic T and B cells in GVHD, and on developing new and effective therapies to prevent and treat GVHD.

Adoptive T-cell Therapy (ACT). The adaptive immune system has the capacity to recognize and kill malignant cells. However, immune tolerant mechanisms that normally protect healthy tissues from autoimmune attack prevent the development of effective anti-tumor immunity. Tumors use numerous immunosuppressive mechanisms to evade otherwise effective T-cell responses. Despite promising results achieved by targeting one or more of the immune evasion mechanisms, there is clearly room for improvement because only a subset of cancer patients usually respond to current treatment. Aiming at understanding T-cell response against tumor and promoting anti-tumor activity, Yu Lab is interested in investigating T-cell activation, differentiation, persistence, migration, and metabolism in immunotherapy against cancer.

Test tubes with beaker

Current Members

headshot

Reza Alimohammadi, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher, Yu Lab

ralimohammadi@mcw.edu

headshot

Rajdip Basnet

Graduate Student

rbasnet@mcw.edu

headshot

Qiao Cheng, PhD

Postdoctoral Researcher, Yu Lab

qcheng@mcw.edu

headshot

Michael Hendrix

Visiting Scholar

mhendrix@mcw.edu

headshot

Allison Pugel

Research Technologist, Yu Lab

apugel@mcw.edu

headshot

Yongxia Wu, MD, PhD

Research Assistant Professor

wyongxia@mcw.edu

Recent Publications

Publications of Xue-Zhong Yu MD from the Faculty Collaboration Database

© 2025 Medical College of Wisconsin.  All rights reserved.  | Terms and Privacy | Web Accessibility Statement

Non-Discrimination Statement
The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic. MCW’s policy as well as federal and state laws and regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Notice of Compliance with Laws and Commitment to Civil Rights
The Medical College of Wisconsin is committed to full compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations in the pursuit of our missions. Consistent with recent federal guidance, we affirm our commitment to individual merit, fairness, and equal treatment in all aspects of academic and institutional decision-making. As part of this commitment, we are actively reviewing our policies and materials to ensure they align with federal nondiscrimination obligations.