Zhaonan Sun

Dr. Zhaonan Sun


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

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

Representative Publications

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20 March 2024 in Frontiers in Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
WHWenpeng Huang
Wenpeng Huang
ZZZuohuan Zheng
Zuohuan Zheng
ZBZheng Bao
Zheng Bao
XXXiaoyan Xiao
Xiaoyan Xiao
LLLiming Li
Liming Li
LKLei Kang
Lei Kang
Background: Non-gestational choriocarcinoma, also known as primary choriocarcinoma, is extremely rare in men, manifesting with specific signs such as breast feminization, testicular atrophy, and loss of libido. The presentation typically includes elevated serum β-hCG levels, widespread metastatic disease, and a rapid progression of the condition.Case report: We present a rare case of a 41-year-old man diagnosed with choriocarcinoma, exhibiting a unique combination of multiple metastases, including lung, brain, bone, and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases, as confirmed by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. The patient was treated with aggressive chemotherapy and pembrolizumab, and the prognosis remained poor. The patient’s overall survival was a mere 5 months following diagnosis.Conclusion: Non-gestational choriocarcinoma represents a rare entity in clinical practice and should be considered in young men presenting with gynaecomastia and elevated β-hCG levels alongside normal gonads. Thus, we advocate for a more comprehensive inquiry into medical history and a systematic examination. The 18F-FDG PET/CT examination not only visually delineates the lesion’s location and extent but also serves as a cornerstone for clinical tumor staging, providing valuable support for treatment monitoring and subsequent follow-up.

2 September 2025 in iScience
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
YLYongshun Liu
Yongshun Liu
WHWenpeng Huang
Wenpeng Huang
JHJessica C. Hsu
Jessica C. Hsu
ZSZhaonan Sun
Zhaonan Sun
WCWeibo Cai
Weibo Cai
LKLei Kang
Lei Kang
Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2), a specific tight junction protein isoform, is minimally expressed in normal gastric mucosa but aberrantly overexpressed in various cancers. It plays a key role in regulating tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration, making it an attractive therapeutic target, especially in gastric cancer. Moreover, molecular imaging techniques such as immuno-positron emission tomography, immuno-single photon emission computed tomography, and near-infrared fluorescence imaging enable non-invasive evaluation of CLDN18.2 expression, improving diagnosis and guiding personalized treatment. This review summarizes recent advances in CLDN18.2-targeted therapies and molecular imaging for cancer management. We outline the biomarker's biological functions and signaling pathways across cancers, highlighting the development of precision therapeutics. We also discuss applications and limitations of CLDN18.2-targeted theranostics in digestive malignancies and address clinical translation challenges and future directions.

1 January 2024 in American Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
YLYongshun Liu
Yongshun Liu
WHWenpeng Huang
Wenpeng Huang
YYYihan Yang
Yihan Yang
WCWeibo Cai
Weibo Cai
ZSZhaonan Sun
Zhaonan Sun
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant blood disease, but there have been significant improvements in the prognosis due to advancements in quantitative assessment and targeted therapy in recent years. The quantitative assessment of MM bone marrow infiltration and prognosis prediction is influenced by imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) quantitative parameters. At present, the primary imaging methods include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). These methods are now crucial for diagnosing MM and evaluating myeloma cell infiltration, extramedullary disease, treatment effectiveness, and prognosis. Furthermore, the utilization of AI, specifically incorporating machine learning and radiomics, shows great potential in the field of diagnosing MM and distinguishing between MM and lytic metastases. This review discusses the advancements in imaging methods, including CT, MRI, and PET/CT, as well as AI for quantitatively assessing MM. We have summarized the key concepts, advantages, limitations, and diagnostic performance of each technology. Finally, we discussed the challenges related to clinical implementation and presented our views on advancing this field, with the aim of providing guidance for future research.

23 March 2026 in Journal of Translational Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KLKexin Lan
Kexin Lan
YLYongshun Liu
Yongshun Liu
RLRuobing Li
Ruobing Li
ZSZhaonan Sun
Zhaonan Sun
WHWenpeng Huang
Wenpeng Huang
Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health challenge with persistently poor survival rates, largely attributable to late-stage diagnosis and the inh

13 July 2026 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
YLYongshun Liu
Yongshun Liu
KLKexin Lan
Kexin Lan
ZSZhaonan Sun
Zhaonan Sun
WHWenpeng Huang
Wenpeng Huang
Pancreatic cancer ranks among the most lethal malignancies, characterized by a five-year survival rate of approximately 10%. This dismal prognosis is largely attributable to diagnoses occurring at advanced stages and the inherent limitations of conventional imaging modalities in detecting early lesions, identifying metastases, and assessing tumor heterogeneity. Consequently, there is a critical need for non-invasive imaging techniques capable of visualizing pancreatic cancer lesions to enable accurate diagnosis, risk assessment, and the development of personalized treatment strategies. Molecular imaging, which combines highly specific targeted probes with advanced imaging technologies, offers the potential to elucidate disease-associated pathways. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in molecular imaging platforms for pancreatic cancer, including positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), optical molecular imaging, photoacoustic imaging, and molecular MRI. We begin by elucidating the biological rationale for targeting key molecules, including fibroblast activation protein (FAP), integrins, and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1). Moreover, we critically evaluate the development and clinical translation of these probes, highlighting their ability to enhance lesion detectability, characterize intratumoral heterogeneity, and guide both targeted therapy and surgical resection. Compared with existing reviews, this work uniquely integrates a comprehensive cross-modality analysis of the latest molecular imaging strategies for pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we examine prevailing challenges and emerging frontiers in this domain, specifically focusing on multimodal hybrid imaging, artificial intelligence-driven analytics, and integrated theranostic platforms as pivotal strategies to advance precision oncology.