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Kwanhak Baek

Sungkyunkwan University · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

About the Lab

Professor Kwanhak Baek's research lab focuses on identifying and characterizing bioactive natural compounds with antitumor potential, particularly in lung cancer. The lab investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor suppression, including oncogene-induced senescence, p53-dependent pathways, and the role of endogenous factors like thrombospondin-1. A key direction involves exploring natural products—such as those from *Poria cocos*, *Pulveroboletus ravenelii*, and *Pinus koraiensis* pinecones—as novel therapeutic agents with selective cytotoxicity toward cancer cells, irrespective of p53 status. The lab also examines the biochemical links between mitotic checkpoint regulation and apoptosis, aiming to understand how prolonged mitotic arrest leads to cell death and prevents chromosomal instability in cancer.

natural anticancer compoundslung canceroncogene-induced senescencep53 pathwaymitotic checkpoint

Research Overview

Papers
68
Total Citations
2,508
Papers (5y)
15
Primary Field
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Research Output Trend

Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.

Publications per year (5y)
15total
2019
2020
2023
2024
2025
Citations per year (5y)
30total
20192020202320242025

Selected Papers

15
1
Article|377 citations·2009
Down's syndrome suppression of tumour growth and the role of the calcineurin inhibitor DSCR1
Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, A. Zaslavsky, Ryan C. Lynch, Carmella Britt, Yoshiaki Okada, Richard J. Siarey, M. William Lensch, In‐Hyun Park, Sam S. Yoon, Takashi Minami, Julie R. Korenberg, Judah Folkman
SJR Q1NatureOA
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
2
Article|56 citations·2013
Thrombospondin-1 mediates oncogenic Ras–induced senescence in premalignant lung tumors
Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Dong‐Ha Bhang, A. Zaslavsky, Liang-Chuan Wang, Anil Vachani, Carla F. Kim, Steven Μ. Albelda, Gérard I. Evan, Sandra Ryeom
SJR Q1Journal of Clinical InvestigationOA

Progression of premalignant lesions is restrained by oncogene-induced senescence. Oncogenic Ras triggers senescence in many organs, including the lung, which exhibits high levels of the angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). The contribution of TSP-1 upregulation to the modulation of tumorigenesis in the lung is unclear. Using a mouse model of lung cancer, we have shown that TSP-1 plays a critical and cell-autonomous role in suppressing Kras-induced lung tumorigenesis independent of it

PhysiologyMedicine
3
Article|52 citations·2017
Bioactivity-guided isolation and chemical characterization of antiproliferative constituents from morel mushroom (Morchella esculenta) in human lung adenocarcinoma cells
Seoung Rak Lee, Hyun‐Soo Roh, Seul Lee, Hyun Bong Park, Tae Su Jang, Yoon‐Joo Ko, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Ki Hyun Kim
SJR Q1Journal of Functional FoodsOA
PharmacologyMedicine
4
Article|50 citations·2016
Low-Grade Salivary Gland Cancers: Treatment Outcomes, Extent of Surgery and Indications for Postoperative Adjuvant Radiation Therapy
Jae‐Keun Cho, Byungwoo Lim, Eun‐Hye Kim, Young Hyeh Ko, Dongryul Oh, Jae Myoung Noh, Yong Chan Ahn, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Han‐Sin Jeong
SJR Q1Annals of Surgical Oncology
SurgeryMedicine
5
Article|46 citations·2018
Treatment outcomes in metastatic and localized high-grade salivary gland cancer: high chance of cure with surgery and post-operative radiation in T1–2 N0 high-grade salivary gland cancer
Jeon Yeob Jang, Nayeon Choi, Young Hyeh Ko, Man Ki Chung, Young‐Ik Son, Chung‐Hwan Baek, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Han‐Sin Jeong
SJR Q2BMC CancerOA

Despite of an overall unfavorable prognosis in high-grade salivary gland cancer, patients with early-stage disease are expected to have excellent prognosis (over 90% survival rates) with surgery plus adjuvant radiation, which may implicate the patients' consultation, therapeutic decision making, and the need for early detection of the disease.

SurgeryMedicine
6
Article|43 citations·2018
Cytotoxic Constituents from the Sclerotia of Poria cocos against Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells by Inducing Mitochondrial Apoptosis
Seulah Lee, Seul Lee, Hyun‐Soo Roh, Seong-Soo Song, Rhim Ryoo, Changhyun Pang, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Ki Hyun Kim
SJR Q1CellsOA

Previous studies have revealed the antitumor potential of Poria cocos Wolf against a broad spectrum of cancers. However, the biological activity of P. cocos against lung cancer, which is known as the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and its underlying chemical and molecular basis, remain to be investigated. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity of P. cocos toward human lung adenocarcinoma cells with different p53 statuses, to identify the bioactive constituents of P. cocos,

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
7
Article|42 citations·2006
Overexpression of Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Protein Induces Chromosome Instability via Mitotic Cell Cycle Dysregulation
Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Hye-Young Park, Chang‐Mo Kang, Sojung Kim, Sook-Jung Jeong, Eun-Kyung Hong, Joong‐Won Park, Young‐Chul Sung, Tetsuro Suzuki, Chang‐Min Kim, Chang‐Woo Lee
SJR Q1Journal of Molecular Biology
HepatologyMedicine
8
Article|38 citations·2013
Depletion of ERK2 but not ERK1 abrogates oncogenic Ras-induced senescence
Jimin Shin, Jiwon Yang, Jang Choon Lee, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek
SJR Q2Cellular Signalling
Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
9
Article|33 citations·2017
Vulpinic acid contributes to the cytotoxicity of Pulveroboletus ravenelii to human cancer cells by inducing apoptosis
Sil Kim, Hae Min So, Hyun‐Soo Roh, Jin Kim, Jae Sik Yu, Seul Lee, Soon‐Ja Seok, Changhyun Pang, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Ki Hyun Kim
SJR Q1RSC AdvancesOA

We identified vulpinic acid as the main constituent that contributes to the cytotoxic activity of<italic>Pulveroboletus ravenelii</italic>, which has novel biological activity against human cancer cells.

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
10
Article|31 citations·2016
Pinecone of Pinus koraiensis Inducing Apoptosis in Human Lung Cancer Cells by Activating Caspase‐3 and its Chemical Constituents
Tae Kyoung Lee, Hyun‐Soo Roh, Jae Sik Yu, Jiwon Baek, Seul Lee, Moonjin Ra, Sun Young Kim, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Ki Hyun Kim
SJR Q3Chemistry & Biodiversity

Pinecones from Pinus koraiensis Siebold &amp; Zucc . (Pinaceae), which have historically been treated as an undesired waste by‐product in the processing of seeds, have recently been shown to contain ingredients with potent biological activities, such as polyphenols exhibiting antitumor activity. With this study, we seek to broaden our understanding of antitumor compounds contained in these pinecones beyond just polyphenols. We found that the water extract of P. koraiensis pinecones exhibits sign

Molecular BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
11
Article|26 citations·2005
Caspases-Dependent Cleavage of Mitotic Checkpoint Proteins in Response to Microtubule Inhibitor
Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Hyunjin Shin, Sook-Jung Jeong, Joong‐Won Park, Frank McKeon, Chang‐Woo Lee, Chang‐Min Kim
SJR Q1Oncology Research Featuring Preclinical and Clinical Cancer TherapeuticsOA

The mitotic checkpoint ensures the fidelity of chromosomal segregation by delaying the onset of anaphase until all chromosomes are aligned on the metaphase plate. After sustained mitotic arrest, however, cells eventually exit mitosis without the mitotic checkpoint being silenced. These cells then undergo apoptosis, an event that is important for prevention of the chromosomal instability observed in human cancers. An interesting question is to establish the biochemical link between the mitotic ch

Cell BiologyBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
12
Article|23 citations·2003
p53 deficiency and defective mitotic checkpoint in proliferating T lymphocytes increase chromosomal instability through aberrant exit from mitotic arrest
Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Hyunjin Shin, Jae‐Kwang Yoo, Jae-Ho Cho, Yo-Han Choi, Young‐Chul Sung, Frank McKeon, Chang‐Woo Lee
SJR Q1Journal of Leukocyte Biology

During the proliferation of T cells for successful immune responses against pathogens, the fine regulation of cell cycle is important to the maintenance of T cell homeostasis and the prevention of lymphoproliferative disorders. However, it remains to be elucidated how the cell cycle is controlled at the mitotic phase in proliferating T cells. Here, we show that during the proliferation of primary T cells, the disruption of the mitotic spindle leads to cell-cycle arrest at mitosis and that prolon

OncologyMedicine
13
Article|21 citations·2017
Antiproliferative effect of Momordica cochinchinensis seeds on human lung cancer cells and isolation of the major constituents
Jae Sik Yu, Hyun‐Soo Roh, Seul Lee, Kiwon Jung, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Ki Hyun Kim
SJR Q2Revista Brasileira de FarmacognosiaOA

Gac, Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng., Cucurbitaceae, is an indigenous South Asian edible fruit and has been used therapeutically in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Previous studies have shown that M. cochinchinensis seed (Momordicae Semen) has various pharmaceutical properties such as antioxidant and anti-ulcer effects as well as contains secondary metabolites with potential anticancer activities such as triterpenoids and saponins. However, its biological activities in cancer have not ye

Endocrinology, Diabetes and MetabolismMedicine
14
Article|16 citations·2017
Discrepancy between cTNM and pTNM staging of oral cavity cancers and its prognostic significance
Nayeon Choi, Yangseop Noh, Eun Kyu Lee, Manki Chung, Chung‐Hwan Baek, Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Han‐Sin Jeong
SJR Q1Journal of Surgical Oncology

INTRODUCTION: Accurate tumor-node-metastasis(TNM) staging of oral cavity cancer(OCC) is very important in the management of this dismal disease. However, stage migration from cTNM to pTNM was found in a portion of OCC patients. The objective of this study was to determine the possible causes of discrepancy between cTNM and pTNM in OCC and the clinical impacts of stage migration. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data of 252 OCC patients were retrospectively reviewed and compared each other. Cli

OtorhinolaryngologyMedicine
15
Article|14 citations·2016
Detection of Oncogene-Induced Senescence In Vivo
Kwan‐Hyuck Baek, Sandra Ryeom
SJR Q4Methods in molecular biology
PhysiologyMedicine

Research Areas

Molecular BiologyCell BiologyOncologyOtorhinolaryngologyPharmacologyHepatology

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