Yunfei Li

Yunfei Li


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 December 2022 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LYlei yang
lei yang
LGLiming Gong
Liming Gong
PWPing Wang
Ping Wang
XZXinghui Zhao
Xinghui Zhao
FZFeng Zhao
Feng Zhao
Wei HuangWei Huang
Wei Huang
Messenger RNA (mRNA), which is composed of ribonucleotides that carry genetic information and direct protein synthesis, is transcribed from a strand of DNA as a template. On this basis, mRNA technology can take advantage of the body’s own translation system to express proteins with multiple functions for the treatment of various diseases. Due to the advancement of mRNA synthesis and purification, modification and sequence optimization technologies, and the emerging lipid nanomaterials and other delivery systems, mRNA therapeutic regimens are becoming clinically feasible and exhibit significant reliability in mRNA stability, translation efficiency, and controlled immunogenicity. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), currently the leading non-viral delivery vehicles, have made many exciting advances in clinical translation as part of the COVID-19 vaccines and therefore have the potential to accelerate the clinical translation of gene drugs. Additionally, due to their small size, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, LNPs can effectively deliver nucleic acids into cells, which is particularly important for the current mRNA regimens. Therefore, the cutting-edge LNP@mRNA regimens hold great promise for cancer vaccines, infectious disease prevention, protein replacement therapy, gene editing, and rare disease treatment. To shed more lights on LNP@mRNA, this paper mainly discusses the rational of choosing LNPs as the non-viral vectors to deliver mRNA, the general rules for mRNA optimization and LNP preparation, and the various parameters affecting the delivery efficiency of LNP@mRNA, and finally summarizes the current research status as well as the current challenges. The latest research progress of LNPs in the treatment of other diseases such as oncological, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases is also given. Finally, the future applications and perspectives for LNP@mRNA are generally introduced.

8 November 2024 in Biomaterials
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DGDi Ge
Di Ge
SMSiqi Ma
Siqi Ma
TSTingting Sun
Tingting Sun
YLYunfei Li
Yunfei Li
JWJiaxing Wei
Jiaxing Wei
YLYonghong Liao
Yonghong Liao

8 May 2024 in Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
MTManqing Tang
Manqing Tang
ZZZhijie Zhang
Zhijie Zhang
PWPing Wang
Ping Wang
FZFeng Zhao
Feng Zhao
LMLin Miao
Lin Miao
ZGZhonggao Gao
Zhonggao Gao
Tumor metastasis, the apex of cancer progression, poses a formidable challenge in therapeutic endeavors. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), resilient entities originating from primary tumors or their metastases, significantly contribute to this process by demonstrating remarkable adaptability. They survive shear stress, resist anoikis, evade immune surveillance, and thwart chemotherapy. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the intricate landscape of CTC formation, metastatic mechanisms, and the myriad factors influencing their behavior. Integral signaling pathways, such as integrin-related signaling, cellular autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and interactions with platelets, are examined in detail. Furthermore, we explore the realm of precision nanomedicine design, with a specific emphasis on the anoikis‒platelet interface. This innovative approach strategically targets CTC survival mechanisms, offering promising avenues for combatting metastatic cancer with unprecedented precision and efficacy. The review underscores the indispensable role of the rational design of platelet-based nanomedicine in the pursuit of restraining CTC-driven metastasis.

15 November 2022 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YLYingpeng Li
Yingpeng Li
LLLiang Liu
Liang Liu
HSHongtao Shang
Hongtao Shang
XFXuchen Feng
Xuchen Feng
FNFan Ni
Fan Ni
YLYunfei Li
Yunfei Li
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been listed as one of the most fatal diseases, and no effective targeting treatment is clinically available. Although CD44-targeting hyaluronic acid (HA) has been utilized as targeting ligands in many studies, no facile ways have been developed through HA self-assembly at the nanoparticle surface. Herein, we reported N-isopropylacrylamide-grafted chitosan-based nanoparticles self-assembling with HA (HA-NPs) through electrostatic forces and loaded with curcumin (CUR). The HA-NPs displayed pH-responsive properties due to the chemical modification of chitosan, and the preparation process was optimized by central composite design–response surface methodology. HA anchorage confers the vehicle with tumor-targeting capability. HA-NPs displayed more robust effects of inhibiting TNBC primary tumor growth than free CUR and a plain counterpart but without increased systemic cytotoxicity. In addition, in vivo pharmacokinetic studies showed that HA-NPs significantly increased the in vivo residence time of free CUR and improved the bioavailability of CUR. These findings suggested that chitosan-based HA-NPs may provide a feasible and unique strategy to achieve CD44 targeting and enhance its efficacy in vivo for the treatment of advanced TNBC.

6 August 2025 in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Reviews on Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
LYLei Yang
Lei Yang
YSYingying Shao
Yingying Shao
ZZZewen Zhang
Zewen Zhang
YLYunfei Li
Yunfei Li
FWFang Wang
Fang Wang
HYHaiyang Yu
Haiyang Yu

28 January 2026 in Medcomm
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
RQRuimiao Qian
Ruimiao Qian
JGJun Ge
Jun Ge
NFNi Fan
Ni Fan
ZSZheng Sun
Zheng Sun
CZChengcheng Zhao
Chengcheng Zhao
HFHui Fu
Hui Fu
Natural products, originating from diverse biological sources, serve as a critical reservoir of bioactive compounds for cancer intervention across prevention, treatment, and supportive care. Their mechanisms extend beyond direct cytotoxicity to include modulation of tumor metabolism—such as glucose, lipid, and glutamine pathways—and the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting their multifaceted role in oncology. However, a systematic synthesis of how natural products concurrently target metabolic reprogramming and immune–stromal components across different clinical phases remains lacking. This review delineates the therapeutic applications of natural products—such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids—across the clinical continuum, including perioperative support, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, maintenance therapy, and metastasis suppression. We detail their actions in disrupting core metabolic pathways and elucidate their influence on TME components like cancer‐associated fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and immune cells including tumor‐associated macrophages and T lymphocytes. Furthermore, we discuss innovative delivery strategies—including nanocarriers and codelivery systems—that enhance bioavailability and enable synergistic combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapy. By integrating mechanistic insights with clinical translation strategies, this work provides a comprehensive framework for employing natural products in biomarker‐driven, precision oncology regimens, supporting their evolving role in multimodal cancer care.