Chunlei Shao, PhD

2026 Mentored Investigator Grant
The Wistar Institute
Project Summary
Ovarian cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths in women, particularly when it becomes resistant to treatment. While chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors offer initial benefits, many patients relapse. Our research shows that IL1β is elevated in treated tumors & linked to poor outcomes, but its removal enhances therapy response in mouse models. Interestingly, IL1α, another ligand for IL1β receptor, may counteract resistance by sensitizing tumors to treatment. We also identified CD74+ neutrophils as contributors to resistance. This study aims to develop new combinational therapies using clinically available drugs including anti-IL1β & anti-PD1, offering faster clinical translation for advanced ovarian cancer.
Bio
Dr. Chunlei Shao is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Nan Zhang’s laboratory at The Wistar Institute. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from China Agricultural University. In 2022, he joined Dr. Maureen Murphy’s lab at The Wistar Institute, where he studied mutant p53 and anti-estrogen therapy in ovarian cancer. In 2025, he joined Dr. Nan Zhang’s lab, focusing on studying the roles of IL-1a and IL-27 signaling in metastatic ovarian cancer and their therapeutic implications. His long-term goal is to develop effective therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients with ovarian cancer.