Journal of Cancer Chemotherapy

Dr. Meng-Yao Li is currently serving as an assistant professor at Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Tong University School of Medicine. He obtained his graduate degree from the prestigious Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, under the esteemed guidance of Prof. Guo-Qiang Lin. Li has made significant contributions to various scientific publications in renowned journals such as Aggregate, Sci. China Chem., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Nat. Commun., Green Chem., iScience, Org. Lett., and Chem. Commun. His research output comprises more than 30 SCI papers that have garnered a total citation count of 500, resulting in a personal H-index value of 13. His research interests are investigating green synthesis, solvent-free and catalyst-free reaction; exploring drug design, synthesis, and their antitumor properties; developing and utilizing patient-derived organoid models as well as patient-derived tumor xenografts; studying drug resistance mechanisms in biliary and pancreatic tumors.

• investigating green synthesis
• solvent-free and catalyst-free reaction
• exploring drug design
• antitumor properties

• Published 30+ SCI papers in high-impact journals
• H-index 13 with 500+ citations
• Actively contributing to research on cancer drug resistance and green chemistry innovations

[1] M.-Y. Li, X.-M. Nong, H. Xiao, A. Gu, S. Zhai, J. Li, G. Zhang, Z.-J. Xue, Y. Liu*, C. Li*, G.-Q. Lin, and C.-G. Feng*, Aggregation-enabled alkene insertion into carbon-halogen bonds. Aggregate 2023, 4, e346. (IF = 18.8, DOI: 10.1002/agt2.346)

[2] M.-Y. Li, J. Li, A. Gu, X.-M. Nong, S. Zhai, Z.-Y. Yue, C.-G. Feng*, Y. Liu*, and G.-Q. Lin, Solvent-free and catalyst-free direct alkylation of alkenes. Green Chem. 2023, 25, 7073–7078. (IF = 11.0, DOI: 10.1039/D3GC02685J)

[3] M.-Y. Li, S. Zhai, X.-M. Nong, A. Gu, J. Li, G.-Q. Lin*, and Y. Liu*, Trisubstituted alkenes featuring aryl groups: stereoselective synthetic strategies and applications. Sci. China Chem. 2023, 66, 1261–1287. (IF = 10.4, DOI: 10.1007/s11426-022-1515-5)

[4] M.-Y. Li, D. Wei*, C.-G. Feng, and G.-Q. Lin*, Tandem Reactions involving 1,4‐Palladium Migrations. Chem. Asian. J. 2022, 17, e202200456. (Top Cited Article in WILEY, Best Paper Awards, IF = 4.8, DOI: 10.1002/asia.202200456)

[5] M.-Y. Li, P. Han, T.-J. Hu, D. Wei, G. Zhang, A. Qin, C.-G. Feng*, B. Z. Tang, and G.-Q. Lin*, Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling Enabled by Aryl to Vinyl 1,4-Palladium Migration. iScience 2020, 23, 100966. (IF = 6.1, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.100966)

[6] M.-Y. Li*, A. Gu, J. Li, and Y. Liu*, Advanced green synthesis: Solvent-free and catalyst-free reaction. Green Synth. Catal. 2025, 6, 33-66. (IF = 8.3, DOI: 10.1016/j.gresc.2024.11.001)

[7] M.-Y. Li*, A. Gu, J. Li, N. Tang, M. Matin, G. Zhang*, A. G. Atanasov*, Food and Medicine Homology Substances in Cancer Treatment: A Focus on Resveratrol against Gastrointestinal Tumors. Food Med. Homol. (Just Accepted)

[8] M.-Y. Li*, A. Gu, J. Li, N. Tang, M. Matin, Y. Yang*, G. Zengin*, A. G. Atanasov*. Exploring food and medicine homology: potential implications for cancer treatment innovations. Acta Materia Medica 2025, 4, 200-206. DOI: 10.15212/AMM-2025-0003

[9] M.-Y. Li*, Q. Zhang, J. Li, G. Zengin*. Food and medicine homology in cancer treatment: traditional thoughts collide with scientific evidence. Food & Medicine Homology, 2025, 2(3), 9420120. https://doi.org/10.26599/FMH.2025.9420120

[10] G. Zhang,# M.-Y. Li,# W.-B. Ye, Z.-T. He, C.-G. Feng*, and G.-Q. Lin*, Borylation of Unactivated C(sp3)–H Bonds with Bromide as a Traceless Directing Group. Org. Lett. 2021, 23, 2948–2953. (co-first author, IF = 6.1, DOI: 10.1021/acs.orglett.1c00617)

[11] J. Li, A. Gu, X.-M. Nong, S. Zhai, Z.-Y. Yue, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, Six-Membered Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocyclic Anti-Tumor Agents: Synthesis and Applications. Chem. Rec. 2023, 23, e202300293. (corresponding author, Cover Paper, IF = 7.5, DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202300293)

[12] A. Gu,# J. Li,# J.-A. Wu, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, Exploration of Dan-Shen-Yin against pancreatic cancer based on network pharmacology combined with molecular docking and experimental validation. Curr. Res. Biotech. 2024, 7, 100228. (corresponding author, IF = 5.6, DOI: 10.1016/j.crbiot.2024.100228)

[13] X.-M. Nong, A. Gu, S. Zhai, J. Li, Z.-Y. Yue, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, 1,3-Diene-Based AIEgens: Stereoselective Synthesis and Applications. iScience 2024, 27, 109223. (corresponding author, IF = 6.1, DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109223)

[14] A. Gu, J. Li, S. Qiu, S. Hao, Z.-Y. Yue, S. Zhai, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, Pancreatic cancer environment: From patient-derived models to single-cell omics. Mol. Omics 2024, 20, 220–233. (corresponding author, Cover Paper, ESI Highly Cited Paper, IF = 3.0, DOI: 10.1039/D3MO00250K)

[15] J. Li, A. Gu, M.-Y. Li*, Heteroaryl Group Containing Trisubstituted Alkenes: Synthesis and Anti-tumor Activity. Chem. Biodivers. 2024, 21, e202401469. (corresponding author, Cover Paper, Excellent Author Award in WILEY, IF = 2.5, DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.202401469)

[16] J. Li, A. Gu, N. Tang, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, Efficacy and Mechanisms of Ci-Gu-Tang Against Pancreatic Cancer: A Study Using Patient-Derived Models. J. Future Foods. 2025, DOI: 10.1016/j.jfutfo.2024.10.009 (corresponding author, IF = 7.2)

[17] J. Li, A. Gu, N. Tang, Z. Sun, G. Zhang, M.-Y. Li*, Exploring anti-tumor potential of food and medicine homology substances: An in-silico evaluation of Citri Grandis Exocarpium against gallbladder cancer. Food Med. Homol. 2026, 3, 9420084. (corresponding author, DOI: 10.26599/FMH.2026.9420084)

[18] A. Gu#, J. Li#, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, Patient-derived xenograft model in cancer: establishment and applications. MedComm, 2025, 6, e70059. (IF = 10.7, corresponding author, DOI: 10.1002/mco2.70059)

[19] M. V. Cetiz, S. Ahmed, G. Zengin*, K. I. Sinan, G. Emre, K. Dolina, A. Kalyniukova, A. I. Uba, I. Koyuncu, O. Yuksekdag, M.-Y. Li*, Bioinformatic and experimental approaches to uncover the bio-potential of Mercurialis annua extracts based on chemical constituents. J. Mol. Liq. 2025, 427, 127390. DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2025.127390.

[20] A. Gu, J. Li, N. Tang, G. Zengin*, M.-Y. Li*, Food and Medicine Homology Substance in Cancer Treatment: Mechanism of Astragalus against Pancreatic Cancer. Mol. Model. Connect 2025, 1, 20250004 DOI: 10.69709/MolModC.2025.131915

[21] J. Li†, A. Gu†, N. Tang†, G. Zengin*, M.-Y. Li*, Y. Liu*, Patient-derived xenograft models in pan-cancer: From bench to clinic. Interdiscip. Med. 2025, 3, e20250016. (corresponding author, IF = 13.6, DOI: 10.1002/INMD.20250016)

[22] J. Li, A. Gu, N. Tang, J.-W. Zhou*, C. Li*, G. Zengin*, M.-Y. Li*, Unveiling Lysine Vitcylation as a Novel Mechanistic Bridge Between Immune Activation and Cancer Therapy. BIO Integration. 2025, 6, 10. DOI: 10.15212/bioi-2025-0057

[23] E. R. Boukhari, M. Matin, L. Bouissane, M. Ławiński, O. Lushchak, R. K. Singla, M.-E. Mickael, et al. Enhancing human gut health: Global innovations in dysbiosis management. iMeta. 2025, 4, e70028. DOI: 10.1002/imt2.70028. IF = 33.2

[24] G. Zhang, X.-J. Feng, M.-Y. Li, X.-M. Ji, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Synthesis of Tetrasubstituted Allenes via a 1,4-Palladium Migration/Carbene Insertion/β-H Elimination. Org. Bio. Chem. 2022, 20, 5383–5386. (IF = 3.2, DOI: 10.1039/D2OB00751G)

[25] Z.-J. Xue, M.-Y. Li, B.-B. Zhu, Z.-T. He, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, A 1,4-Palladium Migration/Heck Sequence with Unactivated Alkenes: Stereoselective Synthesis of Trisubstituted 1,3-Dienes. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2021, 363, 2089–2092. (IF = 5.4, DOI: 10.1002/adsc.202001589)

[26] G. Zhang, Y.-K. Song, F. Zhang, Z.-J. Xue, M.-Y. Li, G.-S. Zhang, B.-B. Zhu, J. Wei, C. Li, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Palladium-catalyzed allene synthesis enabled by β-hydrogen elimination from sp2-carbon. Nat. Commun. 2021, 12, 728. (IF = 16.6, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20740-w)

[27] G. Zhang, J.-G. Fu, Q. Zhao, G.-S. Zhang, M.-Y. Li, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Silver-promoted synthesis of vinyl sulfones from vinyl bromides and sulfonyl hydrazides in water. Chem. Commun. 2020, 56, 4688–4691. (IF = 4.9, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC00784F)

[28] Z.-J. Xue, M.-Y. Li, B.-B. Zhu, Z.-T. He, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Stereoselective synthesis of conjugated trienes: Via 1,4-palladium migration/Heck sequence. Chem. Commun. 2020, 56, 14420–14422. (IF = 4.9, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC06452A)

[29] D. Wei, M.-Y. Li, B.-B. Zhu, F. Zhang, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Sequential Cross-Coupling/Annulation of ortho-Vinyl Bromobenzenes with Aromatic Bromides for the Synthesis of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 16543–16547. (IF = 16.6, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201910792)

[30] S.-S. Zhang, T.-J. Hu, M.-Y. Li, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Asymmetric Alkenylation of Enones and Imines Enabled by A Highly Efficient Aryl to Vinyl 1,4-Rhodium Migration. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 3387–3391. (IF = 16.6, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201813585)

[31] T.-J. Hu, M.-Y. Li, Q. Zhao, C.-G. Feng, G.-Q. Lin, Highly Stereoselective Synthesis of 1,3-Dienes via Aryl to Vinylic 1,4-Palladium Migration/Heck Sequence. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 5871–5875. (IF = 16.6, DOI: 10.1002/anie.201801963)