Ejung Moon

Our laboratory investigates the fundamental mechanisms of tumour metastasis, the principal cause of cancer-related death, to uncover vulnerabilities that will enhance the efficacy of therapeutic modalities. Our research into molecular drivers identified the transcription factor MAFF as a master regulator of tumour aggressiveness in breast cancer (Moon et al., Nature Comm, 2021). We also validated the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL as a potent therapeutic target in bile duct cancer, showing that its inhibition blocks tumour growth and dissemination (Kim et al., Cancers, 2023).  In parallel, we are working on radiation biology using advanced therapeutic modalities, FLASH. In a recent paper (Vilaplana-Lopera et al., Cell Death & Disease, 2025), we discovered that the protective "FLASH effect" of ultra-high dose rate radiotherapy is modulated by differences in iron metabolism. Cancer cells, being "iron-addicted," are uniquely vulnerable to FLASH-induced ferroptosis, while healthy tissues are spared.   Our programme unites metastasis research and radiation biology, using cutting-edge models to translate these insights into novel therapies that overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Dr. Moon received her PhD degree from Duke University, USA. She was trained by Dr. Mark W. Dewhirst to focus on the effect of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) on tumour reoxygenation after mild hyperthermia. During the training, she was awarded a predoctoral fellowship from Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) of Department of Defense (DoD), USA. Then she joined Dr. Amato Giaccia’s lab at Stanford University, USA, to study hypoxia regulation of MAFF protein and its role in tumour cell invasion and radiation responses. Her current research interests are radiation biology and tumour intrinsic pathways developing metastasis.