Herbert Yu, MD, PhD
Professor AdjunctDownloadHi-Res Photo
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Professor Adjunct
Professor Adjunct, Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Biography
Dr. Yu is adjunct professor at Yale School of Public Health, Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, and a molecular epidemiologist with training in medicine, epidemiology, and clinical biochemistry. Dr. Yu has been involved in cancer research for over 20 years, and has had extensive experience in population-based epidemiologic investigation and patient-based clinical studies. Dr. Yu has conducted numerous epidemiologic and clinical research projects, addressing various issues in cancer research, from etiology to detection, and prognosis to treatment. Dr. Yu is especially experienced in laboratory-based molecular epidemiologic studies, and his research interests include gene-environment interaction in cancer development and progression and lifestyle's impact on epigenetic regulation. Dr. Yu has served on numerous national and international grant review committees, and has been involved in the design, execution and analysis of many epidemiological and clinical studies.
Last Updated on April 07, 2025.
Appointments
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Professor AdjunctPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- PhD
- University of Toronto (1996)
- MSc
- University of Toronto (1990)
- MD
- Shanghai Medical University (1983)
Research
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Overview
- Role of Genetic and Lifestyle Interplay in Uterus Cancer
- Molecular Characterization of the Insulin-like Growth Factor System in Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer and its Association with Tumor Progression
- Case-control Study of Pancreatic Cancer Etiologic Factors
- DNA Methylation in Cancer Risk and Progression
- Case-control study of Liver Cancer
- GWAS on Endometrial Cancer
Medical Research Interests
Breast Neoplasms; Gene-Environment Interaction; Liver Neoplasms; Molecular Epidemiology; Neoplasms; Ovarian Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms
ORCID
0000-0003-3950-4815
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Herbert Yu's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Herbert Yu's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Herbert Yu is interested in exploring.
Harvey Risch, MD, PhD
Lingeng Lu, MD, PhD
Alessandro Santin, MD
Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH
Pei Hui, PhD, MD
Shannon Lynch, FNP (BC)
194Publications
12,279Citations
Breast Neoplasms
Ovarian Neoplasms
Neoplasms
Liver Neoplasms
Publications
2025
A novel ferroptosis-related microRNAs signature for predicting prognosis in endometrial cancer: An observational study
Murakami H, Wang J, Yu H. A novel ferroptosis-related microRNAs signature for predicting prognosis in endometrial cancer: An observational study. Medicine 2025, 104: e46102. PMID: 41305798, PMCID: PMC12643724, DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000046102.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsKaplan-Meier survival analysisTumor immune microenvironmentPrognosis of patientsEndometrial cancerPrognostic modelFerroptosis-related genesImmune checkpointsImmune microenvironmentPrognostic valuePredictive nomogramImmune cellsEC patientsPrognosis of endometrial cancerMultivariate Cox regression analysisSurvival analysisPotential immune checkpointsRisk scoreROC curveCox regression analysisPrognostic value of risk scoreLow-risk scoresHigh-risk scoreLow-risk categoryOverall survivalArea under curve valuesDifferent diabetes types and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a Mendelian randomization and pathway/gene-set analysis
Zhang T, Hua X, Mohindroo C, Wang X, Dutta D, Liu J, Katta S, Li S, Wang J, Antwi S, Arslan A, Freeman L, Bracci P, Canzian F, Du M, Gallinger S, Goodman P, Katzke V, Kooperberg C, Le Marchand L, Neale R, Patel A, Perdomo S, Shu X, Visvanathan K, Van Den Eeden S, White E, Zheng W, Albanes D, Andreotti G, Bamlet W, Brennan P, Buring J, Chanock S, Chen Y, Darst B, Ferrari P, Giovannucci E, Goggins M, Haiman C, Hassan M, Holly E, Hung R, Jones M, Kraft P, Kurtz R, Malats N, Moore S, Ng K, Oberg A, Orlow I, Peters U, Porta M, Rabe K, Rothman N, Sánchez M, Sesso H, Silverman D, Southey M, Um C, Yarmolinsky J, Yu H, Yuan C, Zhong J, Wolpin B, Risch H, Amundadottir L, Klein A, Yu K, Zhang H, Stolzenberg-Solomon R. Different diabetes types and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a Mendelian randomization and pathway/gene-set analysis. Journal Of The National Cancer Institute 2025, djaf308. PMID: 41206949, DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djaf308.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsGenome-wide association studiesMendelian randomizationAssociation studiesTwo-sample Mendelian randomizationAdaptive rank truncated productAssociated with PDAC riskRobust Adjusted Profile ScoreRank truncated productIndividuals of European ancestryGenetic susceptibility to type 2 diabetesGenomic susceptibility regionsGenetic association studiesSusceptibility to type 2 diabetesGWAS lociLocus regionGenetic architectureType 2 diabetesGene setsYoung (MODYEuropean ancestryMaturity-onset diabetesTruncated productProfile scorePancreatic ductal adenocarcinomaSusceptibility regionsConstruction of a novel ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs model for predicting prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment in endometrial cancer
Murakami H, Wang J, Yu H. Construction of a novel ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs model for predicting prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment in endometrial cancer. Annals Of Translational Medicine 2025, 13: 53-53. PMID: 41211107, PMCID: PMC12592011, DOI: 10.21037/atm-25-87.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLong non-coding RNAsPrognosis of patientsNon-coding RNAsEndometrial cancerFerroptosis-related genesOverall survivalGene Set Enrichment AnalysisImmune checkpointsImmune microenvironmentPrognostic modelClinicopathological characteristicsPredictive nomogramImmune cellsKaplan-MeierTargeted treatmentClinicopathological characteristics of patientsLncRNAsPotential immune checkpointsRisk scorePrognostic model risk scoreTumor immune microenvironmentCox regression analysisK-M analysisCharacteristics of patientsHigh-risk groupSerum Proteomic Profile Based on the TGF‐β Pathway Stratifies Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Xiang X, Shetty K, Yu H, Mishra B, Wong L, Zhou X, Satapathy S, Crawford J, Latham P, Han S, Mathew B, Dagher N, Lau L, Cacaj F, Vegesna A, Dasarathy S, He A, Huang H, Amdur R, Mishra L. Serum Proteomic Profile Based on the TGF‐β Pathway Stratifies Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Liver International 2025, 45: e70325. PMID: 40919824, PMCID: PMC12416123, DOI: 10.1111/liv.70325.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsMeSH KeywordsAgedBiomarkers, TumorCarcinoma, HepatocellularCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansLiver CirrhosisLiver NeoplasmsLogistic ModelsLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesProteomicsReceptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type IIRisk AssessmentRisk FactorsTransforming Growth Factor betaConceptsRisk of hepatocellular carcinomaHepatocellular carcinomaCohort ALogistic regression analysisCohort CLongitudinal follow-up analysisTGF-bHepatocellular carcinoma riskCancer-related deathsProtein signaturesSix-protein panelSerum proteomic profilesLate-stage diagnosisAFP levelsCirrhotic patientsCohort BMulticenter studyLogistic regression analyses of cross-sectional dataClinical factorsMultivariable prediction modelEarly diagnosisMatched subgroupsPatientsCirrhosisFunction biomarkersGWAS meta-analysis identifies five susceptibility loci for endometrial cancer
Ramachandran D, Wang X, Laisk T, Zheng Y, Ingold N, Canson D, Kho P, Naumann B, Chapman C, Bousset K, Krause A, Schürmann P, Wieland B, Hanel P, Hülse F, Häfner N, Runnebaum I, Dubrowinskaja N, Turmanov N, Yugay T, Yessimsiitova Z, Amant F, Annibali D, Beckmann M, Bodelon C, Buchanan D, Chen C, Clarke M, Cook L, De Vivo I, De Wispelaere W, Du M, Easton D, Emons J, Fasching P, Friedenreich C, Gallagher G, Giles G, Goode E, Harris H, Hunter D, Kolin D, Kraft P, Lacey J, Lambrechts D, Lu L, Mutter G, Naduparambil J, O’Connell K, Patel A, Pharoah P, Rebbeck T, Ricceri F, Risch H, Ruebner M, Sacerdote C, Scott R, Setiawan V, Shu X, Southey M, Tham E, Tomlinson I, Turman C, Wentzensen N, Xu W, Yu H, Zheng W, Spurdle A, Yarden Y, Team E, Mägi R, Hillemanns P, Glubb D, Dörk T, O’Mara T. GWAS meta-analysis identifies five susceptibility loci for endometrial cancer. EBioMedicine 2025, 118: 105830. PMID: 40633141, PMCID: PMC12275056, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105830.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsGenome-wide association studiesGenome-wide association study meta-analysisRisk lociGenome-wide association study analysisGenome-wide significant risk lociTumor suppressorNeuron navigator 3Significant risk lociGene-based analysisEndometrial Cancer Association ConsortiumSignificant lociValidation genotypingAssociation studiesSusceptibility lociMeta-analysisEndometrial cancer casesCell divisionHigh-income countriesLociEnvironmental risk factorsCell deathCell survivalEndometrial cancerNAV3Case-control seriesTu1516: VALIDATION OF SERUM BIOMARKERS THAT INCLUDE TGF-B AND CORRESPONDING IMMUNE STRATIFY HCC RISK IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS
Xiang X, Shetty K, Amdur R, Yu H, Wong L, Chambwe N, Satapathy S, Crawford J, Mishra L. Tu1516: VALIDATION OF SERUM BIOMARKERS THAT INCLUDE TGF-B AND CORRESPONDING IMMUNE STRATIFY HCC RISK IN CIRRHOTIC PATIENTS. Gastroenterology 2025, 169: s-1438. DOI: 10.1016/s0016-5085(25)04195-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMitochondrial tRNA fragment, mt-tRF-Tyr-GTA-001 (tRF-21-X3OJI8EWB), in breast cancer and its potential clinical implications
Wang J, Katsaros D, Wang Z, Ma L, Casetta E, Fei P, Denti P, Grimaudo I, Chen S, Deng Y, Yu H. Mitochondrial tRNA fragment, mt-tRF-Tyr-GTA-001 (tRF-21-X3OJI8EWB), in breast cancer and its potential clinical implications. Breast Cancer Research And Treatment 2025, 211: 675-685. PMID: 40102335, DOI: 10.1007/s10549-025-07682-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsBreast tumorsInvolvement of tRNARegulation of cell phenotypeSuppress breast cancer progressionSmall non-coding RNAsIn silico analysisOncogenic transcription factorHormone receptor statusCox proportional hazards regressionMitochondrial tRNAsBreast cancer progressionCleaves tRNATRNA fragmentsProportional hazards regressionRNase 4Non-coding RNAsPotential clinical implicationsResting mast cellsTranscription factorsSilico analysisReceptor statusTumor immunityQuantitative RT-PCRTRNATumor grade
2024
An Artificial Intelligence-Driven Preoperative Radiomic Subtype for Predicting the Prognosis and Treatment Response of Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.
Li Q, Zhang W, Liao T, Gao Y, Zhang Y, Jin A, Ma B, Qu N, Zhang H, Zheng X, Li D, Yun X, Zhao J, Yu H, Gao M, Wang Y, Qian B. An Artificial Intelligence-Driven Preoperative Radiomic Subtype for Predicting the Prognosis and Treatment Response of Patients with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. Clinical Cancer Research 2024, 31: 139-150. PMID: 39535738, DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-24-2356.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsPapillary thyroid carcinomaPapillary thyroid carcinoma patientsDisease-free survivalThyroid carcinomaInflammatory subtypeRadiomics signatureTreatment responseSubtype of papillary thyroid carcinomaTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalAssociated with poor disease-free survivalFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterPoor disease-free survivalCancer Institute and HospitalTreatment response of patientsComplications risk stratificationShanghai Cancer CenterAnti-inflammatory traditional Chinese medicinesResponse of patientsPreoperative ultrasound imagingValidation set 2Clinicopathological variablesTraining set 1Evaluate prognosisPoor prognosisRisk stratificationSomatic gene mutations involved in DNA damage response/Fanconi anemia signaling are tissue- and cell-type specific in human solid tumors
Kumar S, Du W, Zhang J, Yu H, Deng Y, Fei P. Somatic gene mutations involved in DNA damage response/Fanconi anemia signaling are tissue- and cell-type specific in human solid tumors. Frontiers In Medicine 2024, 11: 1462810. PMID: 39421870, PMCID: PMC11483370, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1462810.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsDNA damage responsePotential driver mutationsFanconi anemiaCellular defense networkHuman cancersStudy of DNA damage responseAlteration frequencyDriver mutationsFA proteinsPan-cancer samplesSignal transductionSomatic gene mutationsDamage responseFA signalingUBE2TMutated genesCellular insultsDevelopment of effective therapeutic strategiesCell-typeMutational signaturesGene alteration patternsGenesMutationsDefense networkProstate cancerAldehydes alter TGF-β signaling and induce obesity and cancer
Yang X, Bhowmick K, Rao S, Xiang X, Ohshiro K, Amdur R, Hassan M, Mohammad T, Crandall K, Cifani P, Shetty K, Lyons S, Merrill J, Vegesna A, John S, Latham P, Crawford J, Mishra B, Dasarathy S, Wang X, Yu H, Wang Z, Huang H, Krainer A, Mishra L. Aldehydes alter TGF-β signaling and induce obesity and cancer. Cell Reports 2024, 43: 114676. PMID: 39217614, PMCID: PMC11560041, DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114676.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsAldehyde dehydrogenase 2Small interfering RNADisease progression to cancerPro-oncogenic phenotypeTGF-bProgression to cancerGrowth factor BTGF-b signalingHuman metabolic syndromeSteatotic liver diseasePotential therapeutic targetMetabolic syndromePro-fibroticInduce obesityTherapeutic inhibitionLiver diseaseCurrent treatmentSmad3 signalingGlucose handlingTherapeutic targetFunctional phenotypeDehydrogenase 2Improve glucose handlingSPTBN1Obesity
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Honors
honor Wang Fellowship for International Study of Public Health, American Health Foundation
UnknownDetailsUnited Stateshonor Young Investigator Award, American Association for Clinical Chemistry
UnknownDetailsUnited Stateshonor Mitchell Scholarship in Cancer Research, University of Toronto Young Investigator Award, Louisiana State University Medical Center
UnknownDetailsUnited Stateshonor International Scholar Award Host in Breast Cancer Research, Avon Foundation and American Association for Cancer Research
UnknownDetailsUnited States
News
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News
- November 08, 2010
Exercise is Associated with Reduced Endometrial Cancer Risk
- November 03, 2010
Multimillion Dollar NIH Grant Funds YSPH Research on Liver Cancer
- July 28, 2008
Yale Researcher Receives Grant to Study Pancreatic Cancer
- February 18, 2008
Yu Co-researcher on Test Detecting Early Stage Ovarian Cancer With 99 Percent Accuracy
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Email
Academic Office Number
Lab Number
Office Fax Number
Mailing Address
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
PO Box 208034, 60 College Street
New Haven, CT 06520-8034
United States
Administrative Support
Locations
60 College Street
Academic Office
Ste 700
New Haven, CT 06510