- Graduate School - University of California - Los Angeles, Microbiology, Immunology & Molecular Genetics
- Fellowship - UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Biology
- Internship - Saint Mary's Medical Center-Long Beach (2003-2004), Internal Medicine
- Medical School - UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Medical Center (1996-2003)
- Other Post Graduate Training - University of California - Los Angeles
- Residency - UT Southwestern Medical School (2004-2007), Dermatology

Lu Le, M.D., Ph.D.
- Thomas L. Shields, M.D. Professorship in Dermatology
- Dermatology - General
- Treatment of Neurofibromatosis
- Skin Disorders
Biography
Dr. Le received his Ph.D. degree in Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (with Owen N. Witte), and a medical degree (M.D.) from the Medical Scientist Training Program at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He completed an Internship in Internal Medicine at UCLA/St. Mary Medical Center, residency training in Dermatology and a postdoctoral fellowship in Cancer Biology (with Luis F. Parada) from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. Dr. Le sees patients in the Dermatology clinic and at the UTSW Comprehensive Neurofibromatosis clinic.
As a principal investigator in cancer biology, his laboratory investigates how genetic and tumor microenvironmental events interplay to regulate carcinogenesis. His research group focuses on: (1) identifying the cells of origin of tumorigenesis (how do certain type of cancers originate and develop from adult stem/progenitor cells?); and (2) elucidating the roles of tumor microenvironment in cancer development (how do neighboring non-cancerous cells dictate cancer development and progression?). His laboratory dissects these cellular and molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis from the developmental perspective. They utilize Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), a common tumor predisposition human genetic disorder, as a model to address these two fundamental questions in cancer biology as well as elucidating cutaneous nervous system development and regeneration. His major research goals are to understand mechanisms that initiate Neurofibroma genesis and drive their malignant transformation as well as to develop novel therapeutic targets for Neurofibroma. Research in Dr. Le's laboratory is supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health as well as grants from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
Education & Training
Professional Associations & Affiliations
- UCLA Association of Chemists and Biochemists
- The Society for Investigative Dermatology
- The American Academy of Dermatology
- Texas Dermatological Society
- Leaders Society - Dermatology Foundation (2013)
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (2013)
- American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) (2015)
Honors & Awards
- The Dermatology Foundation Physician Scientist Career Development Award 2008
- The American Academy of Dermatology Young Investigator Award 2008
- President's Research Council Distinguished Young Researcher Award (UTSW) 2008
- Career Awards for Medical Scientists from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund 2008
- Disease-Oriented Clinical Scholars (DOCS) Award 2009
- Elected to membership in the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) 2015
- Thomas L. Shields, M.D. Endowed Professorship in Dermatology 2015
- Elisabeth Reed Wagner Fund for Research and Clinical Care in Neurofibromatosis and Cardiothoracic Surgery 2014
- U.S. Department of Defense-Investigator Initiated Research Program Awards 2014
- European Society for Dermatological Research/Society for Investigative Dermatology Collegiality Travel Awards 2012
- Outstanding Teaching Award from Dermatology residents 2010
- Victor Newcomer Award from the Pacific Dermatologic Association 2012
- U.S. Department of Defense-Neurofibromatosis Research Program New Investigator Awards 2012
Books & Publications
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Publications
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Cutaneous Involvement of Pre-existing Rosai-Dorfman Disease via Post-herpetic Isotopic Response
Malviya, N., Marzuka, A., Maamed-Tayeb, M., Le, L.Q., Vandergriff, T. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology 2016 43(12): 1211-1214 -
Tumor segmentation of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients: tumor burden correlates
Heffler. M.A., Le, L.Q., Xi, Y., Chhabra, A. Skeletal Radiology 2017 46(1): 93-99 -
BET Bromodomain Inhibition Triggers Apoptosis of NF1-associated Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors through Bim Induction
Patel, A., Liao, C.P., Chen, Z., Lui, C., Wang, Y., Le, L.Q. Cell Reports 2014 6(1): 81-92 -
Recurrent perianal red plaque with superficial erosions and pustular exudate in a 16 month old
Hoang, M.T., Carroll, B. T. and Le, L.Q. Clin Exp Dermatol 2013 38(2): 203-4 -
An exophytic, bleeding nodule on left malar region
Hoang, M. T., Mock, J. R., Hoang, M. P., Cohen, J. B. and Le, L. Q. Clin Exp Dermatol 2013 38(2): 217-8 -
Susceptible Stages in Schwann cells for NF1-Associated Plexiform Neurofibroma Development
Le, L.Q. (Corresponding author), Liu, C., Shipman, T., Chen, Z., Suter, U., Parada, L.F. Cancer Research 2011 71(13) 4686-95 -
Cell of origin and microenvironment contribution for NF1-associated dermal neurofibromas.
Le, L.Q., Shipman, T., Burns, D.K., Parada, L.F. Cell Stem Cell 2009 4 (5) 453-463 -
Regional gene therapy with a BMP-2 producing murine stromal cell line induces heterotopic and orthotopic bone formation in rodents
Lieberman, J.R., Le, L.Q., Wu, L., Finerman, G.A.M., Berk, A., Witte, O.N., Stevenson, S. J. of Orthopedic Research 1998 16: 330-339 -
Expert's Opinion on Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Lu Q. Le, MD, PhD DermQuest 2011 -
Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Analysis of G2A as a Negative Modifier of Lymphoid Leukemogenesis Initiated by the BCR-ABL Oncogene
Le, L.Q., Kabarowski, J., Wong, S., Nguyen, K., Gambhir, S., Witte, O.N. Cancer Cell 2002 1(4) 381-391 -
Contributions of inflammation and tumor microenvironment to neurofibroma tumorigenesis
Liao, C.P., Booker, R.C., Brosseau, J.P., Chen, Z., Mo, J., Tchegnon, E., Wang, Y., Clapp, D.W., Le, L.Q. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2018 128(7): 2848-2861 -
Clinical value of multiparametric whole-body MR imaging over whole-spine magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1
Zhang, L., Dessouky, R., Xi, Y., Chhabra, A., Le, L.Q. World Neurosurgery 2017 108:729-737 -
Tumor Microenvironment and Neurofibromatosis Type I: Connecting the GAPs
Le, L.Q., Parada, L.F. Oncogene 2007 26(32) 4609-4616 -
Mice lacking the orphan G protein-coupled receptor, G2A, develop a late-onset autoimmune syndrome
Le, L.Q., Kabarowski, J., Weng, Z., Satterthwaite, A., Harvill, E., Jensen, E., Miller, J.F. and Witte, O.N. Immunity 2001 14(5) 561 - 571 -
Cells of origin in the embryonic nerve roots for NF1-associated plexiform neurofibroma
Chen, Z., Lui, C., Patel, A., Liao, C.P., Wang, Y., Le, L.Q. Cancer Cell 2015 26(5): 695-706 -
Defining the Research Landscape for Dermal Neurofibromas
Le, L.Q., Kesterson, R.A., Gutmann, D.H. Oncology Times 2016 38(18): 14-15 -
Preclinical therapeutic efficacy of a novel pharmacologic inducer of apoptosis in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Chau, V., Lim, S.K., Mo, W., Liu, C., Patel, A.J., McKay, R.M., Wei, S., Posner, B.A., De Brabander, J.K., Williams, N.S., Parada, L.F., Le, L.Q. Cancer Research 2013 74(2): 586-97 -
Treatment of indeterminate cell histiocytosis with pravastatin
Burns, M.V., Ahmed, A., Callahan, G., Le, L.Q., Cockerell, C. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2011 64(5):e85-6 -
A Case of Simultaneously Occurring Lichen Sclerosus and Segmental Vitiligo: Connecting the Underlined Autoimmune Pathogenesis
Weisberg, E.L., Le, L.Q., Cohen, J.B. Inter. Journal of Dermatology 2008 47(10): 1053-1055 -
The roles of nerve microenvironment for neurofibroma development
Liao, C.P., Pradhan, S., Chen, Z., Patel, A., Liu, C., Booker, R. and Le, L.Q. Oncotarget 2016 7(38): 61500 - 08 61500 - 08 -
Skin-derived precursors as a source of progenitors for cutaneous nerve regeneration
Chen, Z., Pradhan, S., Liu, C. and Le, L.Q. Stem Cells 2012 30 (10) 2261-2270. -
CXCR4/CXCL12 mediate autocrine cell cycle progression in NF1-associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Mo, W., Chen, J., Patel, A., Zhang, L., Chau, V., Li, Y, Cho, W., Lim, K., McKay, R., Lev, D., Le, L.Q. and Parada, L. Cell 2013 152 (5)1077-1090 -
Identification of hair shaft progenitors that create a niche for hair pigmentation
Liao, C.P., Booker, R.C., Morrison, S.J., Le, L.Q. Genes & Development 2017 31(8): 744-756. -
Direct genetic demonstration of G alpha 13 coupling to the orphan G protein-coupled receptor G2A leading to RhoA-dependent actin rearrangement
Kabarowski, J.H.S., Feramisco, J.D., Le, L.Q., Gu, J.L., Luoh, S-W., Simon, M.I., and Wite, O.N. Proc. Natil. Acad. Sci. USA 2000 97 12109 - 12114 -
Cutaneous features predict paraspinal neurofibromas in Neurofibromatosis type 1
Brown, R., Klesse, L., Le, L.Q. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2010 130 (9) 2167-9 -
Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite delivery of BMP-2-producing cells: a regional gene therapy approach to bone regeneration
Laurencin,C.T., Attawia, M.A., Le, L.Q., Borden, M.D., Lu, H.H., Gorum, W.J., Lieberman, J.R. Biomaterials 2001 22(11):1271-1277 -
Genome-wide siRNAi-based Functional Genomics of Pigmentation Identifies Regulatory Networks Governing Melanogenesis in Human Cells
Ganesan, A., Ho, H., Bodemann, B., Petersen, S., Aruri, J., Koshy, S., Richardson, Z., Le, L.Q., Krasieva, T., Roth, M., Farmer, P., White, M. PLoS Genetics 2008 4(12): e1000298. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1000298 -
Updated Nomenclature for the Human and Mouse Neurofibromatosis type 1 Genes
Anastasaki, C., Le, L.Q., Kesterson, R., Gutmann, D. Neurology:Genetics 2017 3(4): e169 -
A DNA Damage and Stress Inducible G Protein-Coupled Receptor Blocks cells in G2/M
Weng, Z., Fluckiger, A., Nisitani, S., Wahl, M.I., Le, L.Q., Hunter, C.A., Fernald, A.A., Le Beau, M.M., and Witte, O.N. Proc. Natil. Acad. Sci. USA 1998 95: 12334 ? 12339 -
Diffusion-weighted imaging and diffusion tensor imaging as adjuncts to conventional MRI for the diagnosis and management of peripheral nerve sheath tumors: current perspectives and future directions
Mazal, A.T., Ashikyan, O., Cheng, J., Le, L.Q., Chhabra, A. European Radiology. 2019 29(8):4123-4132. -
Overcoming BET Inhibitor Resistance in Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors
Cooper, J., Patel, A., Chen, Z., Liao, C.P., Chen, K., Mo, J., Wang, Y., Le, L.Q. Clinical Cancer Research 2019 25(11): 3404-3416. -
Cutaneous neurofibromas in the genomics era: current understanding and open questions
Allaway, R., Gosline, S., Knight, P., Guinney, J., La Rosa, S., Bakker, A., Le, L.Q. British Journal of Cancer. 2018 118(12): 1539-1648. -
Humanized neurofibroma model from induced pluripotent stem cells delineates tumor pathogenesis and developmental origins
Mo J, Anastasaki C, Chen Z, Shipman T, Papke JB, Yin KY, Gutmann DH, Le LQ, The Journal of Clinical Investigation 2021 131 (1) e139807 -
Ashy dermatosis-like hyperpigmentation in a patient taking hydroxyurea.
Li S, Arvisais-Anhalt S, Vandergriff T, Le LQ, JAAD case reports 2020 Sep 6 9 797-800 -
Schwannoma development is mediated by Hippo pathway dysregulation and modified by RAS/MAPK signaling.
Chen Z, Li S, Mo J, Hawley ET, Wang Y, He Y, Brosseau JP, Shipman T, Clapp DW, Carroll TJ, Le LQ, JCI insight 2020 Sep -
Robust Surgical Approach for Cutaneous Neurofibroma in Neurofibromatosis Type 1
Chamseddin, B.H., Hernandez, L., Solorzano, D., Vega, J., Le, L.Q. Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight (JCI Insight) 2019 4(11): e128881: 1-9. -
Human cutaneous neurofibroma matrisome revealed by single-cell RNA sequencing.
Brosseau JP, Sathe AA, Wang Y, Nguyen T, Glass DA, Xing C, Le LQ, Acta neuropathologica communications 2021 Jan 9 1 11 -
Krox20 in Epithelial and Glial Stem Cells and Their Niches
Liao, C.P., Tchegnon, E., Le, L.Q. Advances in Stem Cells and Their Niches 2019 3: 139-155 -
Heterozygous Tumor Suppressor Microenvironment in Cancer Development
Brosseau, J.P. and Le, L.Q. Trends in Cancer. 2019 5(9):541-546 -
NF1 heterozygosity fosters de novo tumorigenesis but impairs malignant transformation
Brosseau, J.P., Liao, C.P., Wang, Y., Ramani, V., Vandergriff, T., Lee, M., Patel, A., Ariizumi, K., and Le, L.Q. Nature Communications 2018 9:5014 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07452-y -
The Biology of Cutaneous Neurofibromas: Consensus Recommendations for Setting Research Priorities
Brosseau J.P., Pichard D.C., Legius E., Wolkenstein P., Lavker R.M., Blakeley J.O., Riccardi V.M., Verma S., Brownell I., and Le L.Q. Neurology 2018 91(2): S14-S20 -
Spatiotemporal loss of NF1 in Schwann cell lineage leads to different types of cutaneous neurofibroma susceptible to modification by the Hippo pathway.
Chen, Z., Mo, J., Brosseau, J.P., Shipman, T., Wang, Y., Liao, C.P., Cooper, J.M., Allaway, R.J., Gosline, S., Guinney, J., Carroll, T., Le, L.Q. Cancer Discovery. 2019 9(1): 114-129. -
Translating current basic research into future therapies for neurofibromatosis type 1.
Brosseau JP, Liao CP, Le LQ, British journal of cancer 2020 May -
Creating a Comprehensive Research Strategy for Cutaneous Neurofibromas
Blakeley J.O., Wolkenstein P., Widemann, B.C., Lee, J., Le L.Q., Jackson, R., Stathis, M., Verma S. Neurology 2018 91(2): S1-S4. -
Double-Stranded RNA Sensing Determines Epithelial Cell Identity
Liao, C.P., Tchegnon, E., Le, L.Q. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 2019 139(1): 17-19. -
New Insights Into the Neurofibroma Tumor Cells of Origin
Li, S., Chen, Z., Le, L.Q. Neuro-Oncology Advances 2019 In Press -
Management of Cutaneous Neurofibroma: Current Therapy and Future Directions
Chamseddin, B.H. and Le, L.Q. Neuro-Oncology Advances 2019 In Press
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Cutaneous Involvement of Pre-existing Rosai-Dorfman Disease via Post-herpetic Isotopic Response
Research
- Stem Cell Biology
- Neurofibromatosis
- Cancer Biology
Clinical Focus
- Treatment of Neurofibromatosis
- Skin Disorders
Links
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Dermatology Clinic
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