Shuyang Chen, PhD

Cleveland Clinic Researcher Investigating Lipid-Protein Interactions To Improve Melanoma Treatment

Melanoma is the most lethal form of skin cancer due to its ability to rapidly spread to vital organs, such as the lungs. A significant risk factor for melanoma is overexposure to sunlight, with most cases attributed to solar UV rays. These rays damage the DNA in skin cells, causing genetic alterations that lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Despite advancements in treatment, the prognosis for advanced melanoma remains poor.

With the support of a VeloSano grant, Shuyang Chen, PhD, Assistant Staff in the Department of Cancer Biology, is investigating how lipids—tiny fatty compounds within cells—affect protein function when they attach. Dr. Chen’s research focuses on exploring the potential of targeting this modification process as a novel approach to cancer treatment.

“We are studying this basic mechanism to find out how the cells communicate with each other and whether we can interrupt this communication or enhance their communication to disrupt the cancer development process,” says Dr. Chen

Having experienced the impact of cancer within his own family, Dr. Chen understands the critical importance of translational research that directly benefits patient care. Through initiatives like VeloSano, researchers can push the boundaries of science, bringing hope to patients and paving the way for more effective therapies.

“Although I do the basic science research, we all want to improve patients’ lives,” says Dr. Chen. “Here at Cleveland Clinic, it’s much easier for us to make a push toward a translational impact because it’s an established environment and there are many physicians to collaborate with.

When Dr. Chen isn’t in the lab, he’s passing along his knowledge to students at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. Educating others about cancer is a passion for Dr. Chen. He believes that empowering the next generation of scientists and medical professionals is crucial for continued progress in cancer research and treatment, particularly for melanoma, where survival rates drop significantly at later stages

“Early detection and early prevention are extremely important,” says Dr. Chen. “I hope my research can educate more people and ultimately, save more lives.”