Y
Yuet‐Kin Leung
High Impact
Associate Professor
faculty
Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Medicine
40 h-index
141 pubs
5,427 cited
Research Areas
Biography and Research Information
OverviewAI-generated summary
Yuet-Kin Leung investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and the impact of environmental exposures on human health. His research group focuses on identifying novel therapeutic targets and understanding how genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to disease progression. Recent work has explored the development of inhibitors for FLT3 and RET kinases, which are implicated in acute myeloid leukemia and other cancers. These studies involve structure-based drug design and optimization to create potent and selective compounds, including those effective against drug-resistant mutations.
Leung's research also examines the effects of environmental chemicals on epigenetic alterations, particularly in the context of pregnancy and intergenerational health. Studies have investigated the association between gestational exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, such as bisphenol A and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and changes in placental and cord blood epigenetics, as well as impacts on sperm quality in offspring. His work contributes to understanding the long-term health consequences of environmental exposures through rigorous molecular and toxicological investigations.
With a career spanning numerous publications and significant citation impact (h-index: 40, total citations: 5,461), Leung leads an active research group at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He has received federal funding, including a $468,131 grant from the NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study RNA modifications influenced by paternal arsenic exposure and their intergenerational effects on sperm quality. He collaborates with researchers at his institution, including Brendan Frett, Anupreet Kharbanda, Phuc Tran, and Xiuqi Wang.
Metrics
- h-index: 40
- Publications: 141
- Citations: 5,427
Selected Publications
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Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta (2025)
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Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns (2025)
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Proteomic Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: Unveiling Novel Insights Into Disease Pathophysiology (2024)
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Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Looming Threat to Current and Future Generations (2024)
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Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells (2024)
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The Loss of an Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR2E3 Augments Wnt/β‐catenin Signaling via Epigenetic Dysregulation that Enhances Sp1‐β catenin‐p300 Interactions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma (2024)
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Abstract 3011: The loss of an orphan nuclear receptor NR2E3 augments Wnt/β-Catenin signaling via epigenetic dysregulation that links to the Sp1-β catenin-p300 interactions in hepatocellular carcinoma (2024)
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Abstract 6282: Novel androgen related gene network in prostate cancer cell model (2024)
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Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach (2023)
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An imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-pyridine derivative potently inhibits FLT3-ITD and FLT3-ITD secondary mutants, including gilteritinib-resistant FLT3-ITD/F691L (2023)
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Stem Cell Theory of Cancer: Clinical Implications of Epigenomic versus Genomic Biomarkers in Cancer Care (2023)
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N-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-6-(7-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine is an inhibitor of the FLT3-ITD and BCR-ABL pathways, and potently inhibits FLT3-ITD/D835Y and FLT3-ITD/F691L secondary mutants (2023)
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A Silent Threat: Exploring the Impact of Endocrine Disruption on Human Health (2023)
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Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose (2022)
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The androgen receptor inhibits transcription of GPER1 by preventing Sp1 and Sp3 from binding to the promoters in prostate cancer cells (2021)
Federal Grants 1 $468,131 total
NIH/National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Co-PI
Apr 2022 - Jan 2027
RNA modifications by paternal exposure to arsenic and intergenerational effects on sperm quality
Grants & Funding
- DNA methylation markers associated with exposure and adverse health outcomes in Veterans exposed to airborne hazards from open burn pits DOD Co-Investigator
- NSF, RII Track-2 FEC: Facilitating Ubiquitous Technology Utilizing Resilient Eco-friendly Sensors (FUTURE Sensors) National Science Foundation - Pass Through: Louisiana Tech University Co-Investigator
- RNA modifications by paternal exposure to arsenic and intergenerational effects on sperm quality NIH Principal Investigator
- RNA modifications by paternal exposure to arsenic and intergenerational effects on sperm quality NIH/Nat. Inst. of Environmental Health Sciences Principal Investigator
Collaboration Network
Top Collaborators
Shuk‐Mei Ho
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
11 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- The Loss of an Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR2E3 Augments Wnt/β‐catenin Signaling via Epigenetic Dysregulation that Enhances Sp1‐β catenin‐p300 Interactions in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
- Three-Generation Study of Male Rats Gestationally Exposed to High Butterfat and Bisphenol A: Impaired Spermatogenesis, Penetrance with Reduced Severity
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- The androgen receptor inhibits transcription of GPER1 by preventing Sp1 and Sp3 from binding to the promoters in prostate cancer cells
Showing 5 of 11 shared publications
Hongyu Li
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
6 shared publications
- Discovery of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-thiophene derivatives as FLT3 and FLT3 mutants inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia through structure-based optimization of an NEK2 inhibitor
- Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose
- An imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-pyridine derivative potently inhibits FLT3-ITD and FLT3-ITD secondary mutants, including gilteritinib-resistant FLT3-ITD/F691L
- Discovery and biological evaluation of phthalazines as novel non-kinase TGFβ pathway inhibitors
- Discovery of 4-aminoquinolines as highly selective TGFβR1 inhibitors with an attenuated MAP4K4 profile for potential applications in immuno-oncology
Showing 5 of 6 shared publications
Anupreet Kharbanda
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 shared publications
In database
- Discovery of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-thiophene derivatives as FLT3 and FLT3 mutants inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia through structure-based optimization of an NEK2 inhibitor
- Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose
- Discovery and biological evaluation of phthalazines as novel non-kinase TGFβ pathway inhibitors
- Discovery of 4-aminoquinolines as highly selective TGFβR1 inhibitors with an attenuated MAP4K4 profile for potential applications in immuno-oncology
Lingtian Zhang
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (US)
4 shared publications
- Discovery of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-thiophene derivatives as FLT3 and FLT3 mutants inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia through structure-based optimization of an NEK2 inhibitor
- Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose
- Discovery and biological evaluation of phthalazines as novel non-kinase TGFβ pathway inhibitors
- Discovery of 4-aminoquinolines as highly selective TGFβR1 inhibitors with an attenuated MAP4K4 profile for potential applications in immuno-oncology
Phuc Tran
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 shared publications
In database
- Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose
- An imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-pyridine derivative potently inhibits FLT3-ITD and FLT3-ITD secondary mutants, including gilteritinib-resistant FLT3-ITD/F691L
- Discovery and biological evaluation of phthalazines as novel non-kinase TGFβ pathway inhibitors
- Discovery of 4-aminoquinolines as highly selective TGFβR1 inhibitors with an attenuated MAP4K4 profile for potential applications in immuno-oncology
Brendan Frett
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 shared publications
In database
- Discovery of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-thiophene derivatives as FLT3 and FLT3 mutants inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia through structure-based optimization of an NEK2 inhibitor
- Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose
- Discovery and biological evaluation of phthalazines as novel non-kinase TGFβ pathway inhibitors
- Discovery of 4-aminoquinolines as highly selective TGFβR1 inhibitors with an attenuated MAP4K4 profile for potential applications in immuno-oncology
Xiuqi Wang
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
4 shared publications
In database
- Discovery of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-thiophene derivatives as FLT3 and FLT3 mutants inhibitors for acute myeloid leukemia through structure-based optimization of an NEK2 inhibitor
- Discovery of N-Trisubstituted Pyrimidine Derivatives as Type I RET and RET Gatekeeper Mutant Inhibitors with a Novel Kinase Binding Pose
- An imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-pyridine derivative potently inhibits FLT3-ITD and FLT3-ITD secondary mutants, including gilteritinib-resistant FLT3-ITD/F691L
- N-(3-Methoxyphenyl)-6-(7-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)pyridin-2-amine is an inhibitor of the FLT3-ITD and BCR-ABL pathways, and potently inhibits FLT3-ITD/D835Y and FLT3-ITD/F691L secondary mutants
Jagadeesh Puvvula
University of Pennsylvania (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Joseph M. Braun
John Brown University (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Emily DeFranco
University of Kentucky (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Shouxiong Huang
Texas Biomedical Research Institute (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Ann M. Vuong
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Stephani S. Kim
Battelle (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Zana Percy
University of Cincinnati Medical Center (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
Aimin Chen
California University of Pennsylvania (US)
4 shared publications
- Gestational exposure to environmental chemicals and epigenetic alterations in the placenta and cord blood mononuclear cells
- Maternal and newborn metabolomic changes associated with urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolite concentrations at delivery: an untargeted approach
- Global metabolomic alterations associated with endocrine-disrupting chemicals among pregnant individuals and newborns
- Epigenetic signatures of maternal-fetal health: insights from cord blood and placenta
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