Huikang Yang

Papers

Total Citations

129

H-Index

About

Huikang Yang is a leading figure in cancer immunology and oncolytic peptide research, best known for pioneering work on LTX-315, a cationic amphilytic peptide that selectively permeabilizes mitochondrial membranes. In a landmark 2016 study cited over 129 times, Yang demonstrated that LTX-315 triggers immunogenic cell death through a partially BAX/BAK1-regulated, caspase-independent necrosis pathway. This breakthrough revealed that intratumoral injection of LTX-315 not only directly kills cancer cells but also stimulates a robust T lymphocyte-mediated anticancer immune response, effectively turning tumors into endogenous vaccines. Yang’s contributions have opened new avenues for combining oncolytic peptides with immunotherapy, offering a promising strategy to overcome treatment resistance. With a citation count exceeding 100 for this seminal work alone, Yang’s research continues to influence the design of next-generation cancer therapeutics that harness both direct cytotoxicity and immune activation. Their work stands as a testament to the power of peptide-based agents in reshaping the landscape of cancer treatment.