Tang Lab

Research

Our research focuses on the clinical development of novel therapeutics and clinical trials for rare monogenic diseases, including Epidermolysis Bullosa, Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome, and most recently, Netherton Syndrome. We utilize pre-clinical mouse models, epidemiology, genomics, and investigator-initiated clinical trials to identify new treatments for our patients.

Epidermolysis Bullosa

We collaborate with Dr. Peter Marinkovich, Dr. Albert Chiou, Dr. Joyce Teng, and Dr. Anthony Oro in our work on Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). We focus on molecular correction of the disease and are currently conducting several clinical trials and research studies. We are also investigating therapeutics for itch associated with EB. We continue to collaborate with EB researchers across the country and internationally to improve the lives of patients with this devastating disease.

Learn More About EB Research at Stanford

Stanford Medicine Magazine Feature on EB

Netherton syndrome

Netherton syndrome is a rare disorder that affects skin, hair, and the immune system. Common manifestations include chronic redness and inflammation of the skin, often with a scaling pattern known as ichthyosis linearis circumflexa, and brittle bamboo‑like hair. We are currently running clinical research study of an experimental therapy applied to the skin. The investigational medicine, known as ATR12-351, is a topical ointment containing a modified bacterial strain that is intended to improve the skin barrier by correcting certain enzyme activity in the skin and reducing underlying inflammation.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

We work together with Dr. Kavita Sarin and Dr. Eleni Linos in our research on basal cell carcinoma (BCC). We are investigating new therapeutics to treat and prevent non-melanoma skin cancer, especially by targeting the Hedgehog signaling pathway for BCC tumors. We aim to provide treatment to patients with advanced or non-resectable BCC or patients with Basal Cell Nevus Syndrome (also known as Gorlin’s Syndrome) who develop hundreds of BCCs. Dr. Tang was involved in the first clinical trials testing a drug known as vismodegib, an oral hedgehog pathway inhibitor used to treat BCC and she continues to investigate this medication and other methods to treat BCC. Dr. Tang and her team have also studied itraconzole, an anti-fungal drug, and how can be used to treat BCC.

We are also investigating genomic analysis of cancers that are resistant to vismodegib and other chemotherapeutic agents.

Recent Papers

A scalable and cGMP-compatible autologous organotypic cell therapy for Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. Neumayer, Gernot et al. (2024) Nature communications

Phase 1/2a clinical trial of gene-corrected autologous cell therapy for recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Eichstadt, S., Barriga, M. et al. (2019). JCI insight

Inhibition of the hedgehog pathway in patients with basal-cell nevus syndrome: final results from the multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial Tang, J. Y., Ally, M. S. et al. (2016). Lancet Oncology

Safety and Wound Outcomes Following Genetically Corrected Autologous Epidermal Grafts in Patients With Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa. Siprashvili, Z., Nguyen, N.T., et al. (2016) JAMA