Dr Ning Wang

Dr. Ning Wang is a Lecturer in Cancer Metabolism and Prevention with specific research interests in the prevention of cancer metastasis.

Dr. Wang undertook his undergraduate (BSc) and postgraduate (MRes) training in biology at Ocean University of China. After moving to the UK in 2004, he studied the trend of Biotech-industry development at Loughborough University and gained his MSc in Management the following year. He then joined Professor Alison Gartland’s group in Sheffield and was awarded his PhD in 2010 for his contribution to investigating the roles of purinergic signalling in osteoporosis.

Dr. Wang was subsequently appointed as a Post-doctoral Research Associate in Dr. Colby Eaton’s lab and took a leading role in developing the models used in the identification of dormant metastasis-initiating tumour cells in a Cancer Research UK programme grant. He was then employed as a Senior Post-doctoral Research Associate in Professor Tim Skerry’s group in 2014 and worked on the Wellcome Trust sponsored programme in the development of novel agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

In 2017, he established his own independent research group in the Cancer theme within the Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, and led the research on defining the impact of exercise on the initiation and progression of prostate/breast cancer skeletal metastasis using pre-clinical models.

In early 2024, Dr. Wang moved to Leicester Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, and continued his glucose metabolism-centered cancer research, meanwhile continuing to hold an Honorary Research Fellow position at the Division of Clinical Medicine, University of Sheffield.

My research interests are focused on discovery research in cancer prevention and treatment, particularly in cancer induced bone disease. Currently, multiple on-going projects are focused on characterizing metastasis initiating cancer cells, investigating interactions between these cells and the bone microenvironment, and exploring novel approaches (exercise, targeting purinergic signalling and glycosylation) to mitigate cancer aggressiveness and bone metastasis. I’m also interested in mechanistic research of other musculoskeletal diseases such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The purposes of these innovative studies are to conduct world-leading research but more importantly to translate research results into clinical benefits for patients at the earliest opportunity. 

Current research projects

• Revolutionising prostate cancer bone metastasis treatment using novel glycan targeting therapies (Prostate Cancer Research Project Grant)
• Targeting GALNT7 to develop new drugs for the personalised treatment of prostate cancer (Prostate Cancer UK Research Innovation Award)
  

Previous research projects

• Using glycan targeting drugs to block prostate cancer bone metastasis (Prostate Cancer Research Project Grant)
• Determining the impact of mechanical loading induced bone remodelling on the initiation and progression of prostate cancer skeletal metastasis (Prostate Cancer UK Research Innovation Award)
• Determining the impact of exercise on the initiation of breast cancer skeletal metastasis using pre-clinical models (Weston Park Cancer Charity Large Grant)
• Defining the role of P2X7 receptor in the prostate cancer metastasizing into the skeleton (The Royal Society International Exchange Scheme)

K Hodgson, M Orozco-Moreno, EA Goode, M Fisher, R Garnham, R Beatson, H Turner, K Livermore, Y Zhou, L Wilson, EA Visser, JFA Pijnenborg , N Eerden, SJ Moons, E Rossing, G Hysenaj, R Krishna, Z Peng, KP Nangkana, EN Schmidt, A Duxfield, EP Dennis, R Heer, MA Lawson, M Macauley, DJ Elliott, C Bull, E Scott, TJ Boltje, RR Drake, N Wang*, J Munkley*. eBioMedicine. 2024;104: 105163. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105163.

BC Roberts, VS Cheong, S Oliviero, HM Arrendondo, N Wang, A. Gartland, Enrico Dall'Ara. Combining PTH(1-34) and mechanical loading has increased benefit to tibia bone mechanics in ovariectomised mice. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. 2024 Jun;42(6):1254-1266. doi: 10.1002/jor.25777.

M Orozco-Moreno, EA Visser, K Hodgson, ALH Ederveen, K Bastian, EA Goode, O Ozturk, JFA Pijnenborg, M Eerden, SJ Moons, E Rossing, N Wang, N Haan, C Bull, TJ Boltje, J Munkley. Targeting aberrant sialylation and fucosylation in prostate cancer cells using potent metabolic inhibitors. Glycobiology, 2023 October cwad085. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwad085.

K Hodgson, M Orozco-Moreno, E Scott, R Garnham, K Livermore, H Thomas, Y Zhou, J He, A Bermudez, FJG Marques, K Bastian, G Hysenaj, EA Goode, R Heer, S Pitteri, N Wang, DJ Elliott, J Munkley. The role of GCNT1 mediated O-glycosylation in aggressive prostate cancer. Scientific Reports, 2023 Oct 9;13(1):17031. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-43019-8.

E Scott, R Garnham, EA Goode, K Hodgson, M Orozco-Moreno, KP Nangkana, H Turner, K Livermore, F M. Frame, Al Bermudez, FJ Garcia Marques, UL. McClurg, L Wilson, H Thomas, A Buskin, A Hepburn, A Duxfield, K Bastian, HM Arredondo, G Hysenaj, B Knight, P McCullagh, J McGrath, M Crundwell, L Harries, R Heer, NJ. Maitland, S Pitteri, DA Troyer, N Wang, DJ Elliott, RR Drake, J Munkley. ST6GAL1-mediated aberrant sialylation promotes prostate cancer progression. The Journal of Pathology 2023 Aug 7. doi: 10.1002/path.6152

EA Goode, N Wang, J Munkley. Prostate cancer bone metastases biology and clinical management. Oncology Letters. 2023 Apr; 25(4): 163. doi: 10.3892/ol.2023.13749.

E Scott, K Hodgson, B Calle, H Turner, K Cheung, A Bermudez, F Marques, H Pye, EC Yo, K Islam, HZ Oo, UL. McClurg, L Wilson, H Thomas, FM Frame, M Orozco-Moreno, K Bastian, HM Arredondo, C Roustan, MA Gray, L Kelly, A Tolson, E Mellor, G Hysenaj, EA Goode, R Garnham, A Duxfield, Sn Heavey, U Stopka-Farooqui, A Haider, A Freeman, S Singh, EW Johnston, S Punwani, B Knight, P McCullagh, J McGrath, M Crundwell, L Harries, D Bogdan, D Westaby, G Fowler, P Flohr, W Yuan, A Sharp, J DeBono, N Maitland, S Wisnovsky, C Bertozzi, R Heer, R Hurtado-Guerrero, M Daugaard, J Leivo, H Whitaker, S Pitteri, N Wang, D Elliott, B Schumann, J Munkley. Upregulation of GALNT7 in prostate cancer modifies O-glycosylation and promotes tumour growth. Oncogene. 2023 Mar;42(12):926-937. doi: 10.1038/s41388-023-02604-x.

H Song, HM Arrendondo, A Sprules, Y Ji, T Zhang, J He, E Lawrence, A Gartland, J Luo, N Wang*. C-terminal variants of P2X7 receptor are associated with prostate cancer progression and bone metastasis – evidence from clinical and pre-clinical data. Cancer Communications (Lond). 2022 Dec 29.doi: 10.1002/cac2.12391.

Y Jin, Q Liu, P Chen, S Zhao, W Jiang, F Wang, P Li, Y Zhang, W Lu, T Zhong, X Ma, X Wang, A Gartland, N Wang, KM Shah, H Zhang, X Cao, L Yang, M Liu, J Luo. A Novel Prostaglandin E Receptor 4 (EP4) Small Molecule Antagonist Induces Articular Cartilage Regeneration. Cell Discovery. 2022 December 8:24. doi: 10.1038/s41421-022-00382-6.

A Agrawal, M Ellegarrd, KA Haanes, N Wang, A Gartland, M Ding, H Praetorius, NR Jorgensen. Absence of P2Y 2 Receptor Does Not Prevent Bone Destruction in a Murine Model of Muscle Paralysis-Induced Bone Loss. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 May 26;13:850525. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.850525.

W Jiang, Y Jin, S Zhang, Y Ding, K Huo, J Yang, L Zhao, B Nian, T Zhong, W Lu, H Zhang, X Cao, K Shah, N Wang, M Liu. J Luo. PGE2 Activates EP4 in Subchondral Bone Osteoclasts to Regulate Osteoarthritis. Bone Research. 2022 March 10:27. doi: 10.1038/s41413-022-00201-4.

R Li, Z Guan, S Bi, F Wang, L He, X Niu, Y You, Y Liu, Y Ding, S Siwko, N Wang, Z Zhang, Y Jin, and J Luo. The Proton-Activated G Protein-Coupled Receptor GPR4 Regulates the Development of Osteoarthritis via Modulating CXCL12/CXCR7 Signaling. Cell Death & Disease. 2022 Feb 14;13(2):152. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-04455-4.

F Wang, M Liu, N Wang*, J Luo*. G Protein-Coupled Receptors In Osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 Jan 28;12:808835.  doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.808835.

Y Zhou, HM Arredondo, N Wang*. P2Y receptors in bone - anabolic, catabolic, or both? Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 Jan 7;12:818499. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.818499.

S Pacharne, M Livesey, M Kadmiel, N Wang, KM Caron, GO Richards and TM Skerry. Accelerated development with increased bone mass and skeletal response to loading suggest receptor activity modifying protein-3 as a bone anabolic target. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2022 12:807882. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.807882.

Z Yue, X Niu, Z Yuan, Q Qin, W Jiang, L He, J Gao, Y Ding, Y Liu, Z Xu, Z Li, Z Yang, R Li, X Xue, Y Gao, F Yue, X H-F Zhang, G Hu, Y Wang, Y Li, G Chen, S Siwko, A Gartland, N Wang, J Xiao, M Liu, J Luo. RSPO2/RANKL-LGR4 signaling regulates osteoclastic pre-metastatic niche formation and bone metastasis. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2022 Jan 18;132(2):e144579. doi: 10.1172/JCI144579.

J Zirimwabagabo, ABA Jailani, P Avgoustou, MJ Tozer, KR Gibson, PA. Glossop, JEJ Mills, RA Porter, P Blaney, N Wang, TM Skerry, GO Richards, JPA Harrity. Discovery of a First-In-Class Small Molecule Antagonist against the Adrenomedullin-2 Receptor: Structure-Activity Relationships and Optimization. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 2021 Mar 5. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c02191.

J He, Z Yu, HM Arrendondo, A Sprules, R Neagu, SA Zarkesh, C Eaton, J Luo, A Gartland, N Wang*. Inhibiting the P2X4 Receptor Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth In Vitro and In Vivo, Suggesting a Potential Clinical Target. Cells 2020, 9(11), 2511; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9112511.

N Wang, C Niger, N Li, GO Richards, TM Skerry. Cross-species RNA-Seq study comparing transcriptomes of enriched osteocyte populations in the tibia and skull. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2020 Sep 24;11:581002. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.581002.

P Avgoustou, ABA Jailani, J Zirimwabagabo, MJ Tozer, KR Gibson, PA. Glossop, JEJ Mills, RA Porter, P Blaney, PJ Bungay, N Wang, AP Shaw, KJA Bigos, JL Holmes, JI Warrington, TM Skerry, JPA Harrity, and GO Richards. Discovery of a First-in-Class Potent Small Molecule Antagonist against the Adrenomedullin-2 Receptor. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science. 2020, 3, 4, 706–719. doi: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00032.

RT Bishop, S Marino, G Carrasco, B Li, RJ Allen, A Sparatore, PD Ottewell, P Mollat, AH Sims, M Capulli, N Wang, A Idris. Combined administration of a small-molecule inhibitor of TRAF6 and Docetaxel reduces breast cancer skeletal metastasis and osteolysis. Cancer Letter. 2020 Sep 488:27-39. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.05.021.

BC Roberts, HM Arrendondo, S Oliviero, M Boudiffa, N Wang, A. Gartland, Enrico Dall'Ara. PTH(1–34) treatment and/or mechanical loading have different osteogenic effects on the trabecular and cortical bone in the ovariectomized C57BL/6 mouse. Scientific Reports, 2020; 10: 8889. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-65921-1.

BC Roberts, M Giorgi, S Oliviero, N Wang, M Boudiffa, E Dall'Ara. The longitudinal effects of ovariectomy on the morphometric, densitometric and mechanical properties in the murine tibia: A comparison between two mouse strains. Bone, 2019 127:260–270. doi: 10.1016/j.bone.2019.06.024.

G Allocca, R Hughes, N Wang, HK Brown, PD Ottewell, NJ Brown, I Holen. The bone metastasis niche in breast cancer-potential overlap with the haematopoietic stem cell niche in vivo. Journal of Bone Oncology. 2019 Jun 7;17:100244. doi: 10.1016/j.jbo.2019.100244.

RT Bishop, S Marino, D de Ridder, RJ Allen, DV Lefley, AH Sims, N Wang, PD Ottewell, A Idris. Pharmacological inhibition of the IKKε/TBK-1 axis potentiates the anti-tumour and anti-metastatic effects of Docetaxel in mouse models of breast cancer. Cancer Letter. 2019 Feb 18;450:76-87. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.02.032.

HK Brown, G Allocca, P Ottewell, N Wang, NJ Brown, PI Croucher, CL Eaton, I Holen. Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) Increases Skeletal Tumour Growth and Alters Tumour Distribution in an In Vivo Model of Breast Cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018 Sep. 19:2920. doi:10.3390/ijms19102920.

N Wang, Agrawal A, Jørgensen NRA Gartland. P2X7 receptor regulates osteoclast function and bone loss in a mouse model of osteoporosis. Scientific Reports. 2018 Feb 22;8(1):3507. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21574-9.

M Ellegaard, C Agca, S Petersen, A Agrawal, LS Kruse, N Wang, A Gartland, JB Jensen, NR Jørgensen, Y Agca. Bone turnover is altered in transgenic rats overexpressing the P2Y2 purinergic receptor. Purinergic Signalling. 2017 Dec;13(4):545-557. doi:10.1007/s11302-017-9582-3. 

JI Warrington, GO Richards*, N Wang*. The Role of the Calcitonin Peptide Family in Prostate Cancer and Bone Metastasis. Current Molecular Biology Reports. 2017 Aug 3(3): 197–203. doi:  10.1007/s40610-017-0071-9.

G Allocca, AP Kusumbe, SK Ramasamy, N Wang*. Confocal/two-photon microscopy in studying colonisation of cancer cells in bone using xenograft mouse models. BoneKEY Reports. 2016 Dec 7;5:851. doi: 10.1038/bonekey.2016.84.

J Dai^#, J Hensel^#, N Wang^#, et al. Mouse models for studying prostate cancer bone metastasis. BoneKEy Reports 2016 Feb, 5: 777. doi:10.1038/bonekey.2016.4.

N Wang*, K Reeves, H Brown, et al. The frequency of osteolytic bone metastasis is determined by conditions of the soil, not the number of seeds; evidence from in vivo models of breast and prostate cancer.  Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research. 2015, Oct 20;34:124. doi: 10.1186/s13046-015-0240-8.

P Ottewell, N Wang, H Brown, A Fowles, PI Croucher, CLEaton, I Holen. OPG-Fc inhibits ovariectomy-induced growth of disseminated breast cancer cells in bone. International Journal of Cancer. 2015 Aug, 15;137(4):968-77. 

N Wang, F Docherty, H Brown, et al. Mitotic quiescence, but not ‘stemness’, marks the phenotype of bone metastasis initiating cells in prostate cancer. The FASEB Journal. 2015 29(8):3141-50. doi:10.1096/fj.14-266379.

P Ottewell, N Wang, J Meek, A Fowles, PI Croucher, CL Eaton, I Holen. Castration-induced bone loss triggers growth of disseminated prostate cancer cells in bone. Endocrine-Related Cancer. 2014 Oct; 21(5):769-81. doi: 10.1530/ERC-14-0199.

P Ottewell, N Wang, H Brown, K Reeves, A Fowles, PI Croucher, CL Eaton, I Holen. Zoledronic acid has differential anti-tumor activity in the pre-and postmenopausal bone microenvironment in vivo. Clinical Cancer Research. 2014 Jun 1; 20 (11):2922-32. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-13-1246. 

N Wang, F Docherty, H Brown, et al. Prostate cancer cells preferentially home to osteoblast-rich areas in the early stages of bone metastasis –evidence from in vivo models. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2014 Jun 23 29(12):2688-96. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.2300.

N Wang, A Gartland. Targeting P2 receptors -current progress in treating musculoskeletal diseases. Current Opinion in Pharmacology. 2014 Jun;16:122-6. doi:10.1016/j.coph.2014.05.004.

N Wang, B Robaye, F Gossiel, et al. The P2Y13 receptor regulates phosphate metabolism and FGF-23 secretion with effects on skeletal development. The FASEB Journal. 2014, 28(5):2249-59. doi:10.1096/fj.13-243626.

G Biver, N Wang, A Gartland, IR Orriss, TR Arnett, JM Boeynaems, B Robaye. Role of the P2Y13 receptor in the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Stem Cell. 2013, 31(12):2747-2758. doi: 10.1002/stem.1411. 

N Wang, A Gartland. Role of the P2X7 receptor in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells and in osteoclast fusion. Purinergic Signalling. 2013, 9(3):281-284. doi: 10.1007/s11302-013-9384-1.

N Wang, RMH Rumney, L Yang, et al. The P2Y13 receptor regulates extracellular ATP metabolism and the osteogenic response to mechanical loading. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2013, 28(6):1446-56. doi: 10.1002/jbmr.1877.

N Wang, B Robaye, A Agrawal, et al. Reduced bone turnover in mice lacking the P2Y13 receptor. Molecular Endocrinology. 2012, 26(1):142-152 (Highlighted by the Editor of Molecular Endocrinology). doi: 10.1210/me.2011-1083.

RMH Rumney, N Wang, A Agrawal, A Gartland. Purinergic signalling in bone. Frontiers in Bone Research. Frontiers in Endocrinology. 2012, 3:116. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2012.00116. 

IR Orriss, N Wang, G Burnstock, TR Arnett, A Gartland, B Robaye, JM Boeynaems. The P2Y6 Receptor Stimulates Bone Resorption by Osteoclasts. Endocrinology. 2011, 152(10):3706-3716. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-1073.

Dr. Wang has supervised three PhD students to completion as their primary supervisor and three more PhD students as their secondary supervisor. Additionally, he provides high-quality research projects for MSc students on a yearly basis.

If you are interested in carrying out a research project, please get in touch directly with Dr. Wang.

I have gained recognition of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in 2016. I actively contribute to the Departmental teaching –designing and deliver various lectures to PGR, MSc and MBChB students. I also provide research projects for both postgraduates (PhD and MSc) and undergraduates.

Membership of learned Societies

European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), ECTS Academy (2019-2024)

Lifelong member of International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS)

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR), Cancer and Bone Society,

Metastasis Research Society, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR),

British Association for Cancer Research.

COST Action (CA21130) - P2X receptors as a therapeutic opportunity (PRESTO)

Invited reviewer for funding applications

Molecular & Cellular Medicine Board (MCMB), MRC, UK; Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), KWF Kankerbestrijding – Dutch Cancer Society (DCS); National Science Center, Poland; and JGW Patterson Foundation, UK.

Invited reviewer for journals

Nature Communication, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Scientific Reports, Bone, Anti-Cancer Drugs, International Journal of Cancer, Calcified Tissue International, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Journal of Bone Oncology, Purinergic Signalling, PLoS ONE, Frontiers in Endocrinology, Anti-Cancer Drugs.