Li Jia, Ph.D.

Brigham And Women's Hospital

Academic Titles

Associate Professor, Surgery, Harvard Medical School

Research Program Affiliation

Member, Prostate Cancer

Research Abstract

Our laboratory seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive prostate cancer progression and treatment resistance and to translate these discoveries into more precise and durable therapies. Our research focuses on two interconnected areas: androgen receptor (AR) signaling and DNA damage response (DDR) pathways. We aim to determine how these pathways function and interact under androgen-deprived and treatment-resistant conditions, identify the mechanisms by which tumors evade AR pathway inhibitors and DNA repair-targeted therapies, and uncover vulnerabilities that can be therapeutically exploited. We use functional genomics, molecular and biochemical approaches, structural biology, and integrated genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and chromatin analyses to define the pathways that regulate tumor survival and drug response. Genome-wide genetic screens and mechanistic studies are combined with molecularly characterized preclinical models to validate therapeutic targets and identify biomarkers of treatment sensitivity and resistance. Our translational goals are to improve patient selection for existing therapies, expand the population that may benefit from PARP inhibitors and other DDR-targeted agents, and develop new strategies to overcome resistance to AR pathway inhibitors. We are pursuing a range of therapeutic modalities, including small-molecule inhibitors, targeted protein degraders, molecular glues, and antibody-drug conjugates. By integrating biological discovery, biomarker development, medicinal chemistry, and clinically relevant preclinical models, we aim to advance the most promising therapeutic strategies toward biomarker-guided clinical testing and ultimately improve outcomes for patients with advanced prostate cancer.