Khandoker Usran Ferdous, BPharm, PhD

Affiliate Member

Research Program:

Cancer Therapeutics

Faculty Rank:

Research Associate I

Campus:

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

College:

College of Medicine

Department:

Pathobiology

Cancer Research Interest

Disease Site Focus: GI
Research Focus Area: Treatment
Type of Research: Translational
Research Keywords: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Liver Cancer, Colon Cancer
Research Interest Statement: My research has focused on understanding and therapeutically targeting the tumor microenvironment in solid cancers. During my Ph.D., I investigated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), developing and characterizing novel oncolytic vesiculoviruses engineered to remodel the stroma, enhance immune infiltration, and improve antitumor efficacy. This work provided mechanistic insight into how tumor–stroma–immune interactions shape therapeutic response. Building upon this foundation, my current research explores the role of neutrophils in breast cancer dissemination and metastatic niche formation, particularly in the lung and bone microenvironments. By combining molecular, cellular, and in vivo approaches, I aim to elucidate how neutrophil-mediated signaling promotes metastatic colonization and immune evasion. In parallel, I am working to develop immunotherapeutic strategies to stimulate and enhance antitumor immunity. Ultimately, my goal is to translate mechanistic insights into effective therapeutic interventions for aggressive solid cancers.

Watters CR, Barro O, Gabere M, [et al., including Ferdous KU]. Resistance signatures to oncolytic vesiculoviruses in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Molecular therapy. Oncology. 2025 33(1):200937. PMID: 40123977. PMCID: PMC11930419.
Omolekan TO, Folahan JT, Tesfay MZ, [et al., including Ferdous KU]. Viral warfare: unleashing engineered oncolytic viruses to outsmart cancer's defenses. Frontiers in immunology. 2025 16:1618751. PMID: 40927720.
Tesfay MZ, Zhang Y, Ferdous KU, [et al.]. Enhancing immune response and survival in hepatocellular carcinoma with novel oncolytic Jurona virus and immune checkpoint blockade. Molecular therapy. Oncology. 2024 32(4):200913. PMID: 39758249. PMCID: PMC11697550.
Ferdous KU, Tesfay MZ, Cios A, [et al.]. Enhancing Neoadjuvant Virotherapy's Effectiveness by Targeting Stroma to Improve Resectability in Pancreatic Cancer. Biomedicines. 2024 12(7). PMID: 39062169. PMCID: PMC11275208.
Zhang Y, Gabere M, Taylor MA, [et al., including Ferdous KU]. Repurposing live attenuated trivalent MMR vaccine as cost-effective cancer immunotherapy. Frontiers in oncology. 2022 12:1042250. PMID: 36457491. PMCID: PMC9706410.