benjamin yat-ming yung

In 2014, during a visit to Hong Kong, I had the distinct honor of being introduced to Professor Yung through a mutual colleague. Later that year, he and his research team visited Houston, where I had the privilege of hosting them and arranging a tour of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. During this visit, Professor Yung delivered a compelling seminar titled “A Multidisciplinary Research on Cancer and Its Metabolic Risk Factor: From Computational Characterization, Functional Discovery to Clinical Diagnostics Development.” His presentation was both intellectually rigorous and clinically insightful—an exemplary fusion of biochemical depth, computational sophistication, and translational relevance.

Now, more than a decade later, I am filled with admiration as I witness the culmination of Professor Yung’s enduring commitment to cancer research in this seminal volume. This publication transcends conventional scientific discourse. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of integrative research—serving as a beacon of hope for patients, a strategic guide for clinicians, and a source of inspiration for investigators navigating the complexities of cancer biology.

Professor Yung’s scholarly journey spans over four decades, beginning with foundational biochemical and genetic investigations into NPM1/B23—a multifunctional protein central to both physiological regulation and oncogenic processes. His research evolved to encompass computational analyses of NPM1/ B23 co-expressed genes, illuminating regulatory aberrations and delineating gene co-expression networks. This progression—from molecular characterization to computational modeling—has yielded a novel framework for understanding and addressing cancer pathogenesis.

His dedication to the study of NPM1/B23 culminated in the development of QGCT®, a proprietary computational architecture designed to extract clinically actionable insights from transcriptomic data. QGCT® represents a significant advancement in precision oncology, empowering clinicians to identify and prioritize functionally critical pathways that may underlie therapeutic resistance, disease recurrence, or treatment failure. QGCT® also introduces a paradigm shift: conceptualizing cancer as a network-based disease amenable to intervention through targeted disruption of its critical systems. This innovative perspective on supportive oncology care marks a promising evolution in the pursuit of holistic, patient-centered treatment strategies.

From historical foundations to contemporary innovations, from data interpretation to clinical application—this book charts a visionary path toward a future in which cancer therapy is not only more effective, personalized, but also more compassionate. It is with the utmost respect and enthusiasm that I commend this important work to the scientific and medical communities.

Kwong-Kwok Wong, Ph.D.
Professor
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

In 2014, during a visit to Hong Kong, I had the distinct honor of being introduced to Professor Yung through a mutual colleague. Later that year, he and his research team visited Houston, where I had the privilege of hosting them and arranging a tour of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. During this visit, Professor Yung delivered a compelling seminar titled “A Multidisciplinary Research on Cancer and Its Metabolic Risk Factor: From Computational Characterization, Functional Discovery to Clinical D...

Foreword vi
Preface xvii

Mini Bio Lesson –A Quick Guide to Learn About Words Related to Cancer Biology 1

Chapter 1 Defining Cancer - A Disease Beyond Therapy
Historical Perspective of Cancer 20
Current Understanding of Cancer as a Systemic Disease 22
The Limitations of Traditional Cancer Therapies 25

Chapter 2 Four Major Characteristics of Cancer
Invasiveness 32
Metastasis 35
Heterogeneity 38
Resistance 41

Chapter 3 The Nucleolus – The Hidden Origin of Cancer
Overview of the Nucleolus in Cellular Biology 46
Nucleolar Dysfunction and Stress in Tumor Evolution 50
NPM1/B23 – A Key Player in Cancer Development 53
Why Nucleolar Balance Matters – A Prelude to NPM1’s Wider Impact 55

Chapter 4 NPM1 and Gene Co-expression Networks in Cancer
NPM1 as a Molecular Hub in Cancer Signaling 58
Gene Co-Expression Analysis in Cancer Progression 60
Identifying Potential Therapeutic Targets Through NPM1 Networks 63

Chapter 5 The QGCT® Model – A New Perspective on Cancer
Introduction to the QGCT® Model 66
Key Components and Pathways in QGCT® 68
Predicting Pathway Dysregulation Ranking for Individual Patients 71

Chapter 6 The Seven Key Pathway Classes – Shaping Cancer Phenotypes
Inflammation and Cytokine Response 74
Cellular Stress and Oxygen Response 76
Cellular Growth, Proliferation, and Survival 78
Angiogenesis and Tissue Remodeling 80
Metabolism and Lipid Signaling 82
Protein Homeostasis 84
Stemness, Differentiation, and Development 86

Chapter 7 Pathway-Based Supplements –A New Era in Supportive Therapy
Rationale Behind Developing A Pathway-Based Supplement 90
Comparison with Existing Cancer Supplements 92
Key Pathway-Targeted Ingredients and Their Mechanisms of Action 94
A Systems-Based Vision for Multi-Compound Integration 104

Chapter 8 Clinical Insights from QGCT® –Bridging Analysis and Possibility
Mapping Therapeutic Possibilities in Complex Cases 110
Informing Future Support Strategies Through Pathway Profiling 112
Long-Term Benefits of Targeting Cancer Pathways 115
Future Perspectives on Personalized Cancer Care 117

References 121
Tributes 133

Foreword vi
Preface xvii

Mini Bio Lesson –A Quick Guide to Learn About Words Related to Cancer Biology 1

Chapter 1 Defining Cancer - A Disease Beyond Therapy
Historical Perspective of Cancer 20
Current Understanding of Cancer as a Systemic Disease 22
The Limitations of Traditional Cancer Therapies 25

Chapter 2 Four Major Characteristics of Cancer
Invasiveness 32
Metastasis 35
Heterogeneity 38
Resistance 41

Chapter 3 The Nucleolus – The Hidden Origin of Cancer
Overview of the Nucleolus in C...