Maria Dung Cao

Norwegian version of this page Department of Nursing, Health and laboratory science

Press photo

Norwegian version of this page Position

Associate Professor

Contact

+4769608741

maria.d.cao@hiof.no

Study place

Fredrikstad

Office nr.

S-420

Academic interests

Medical biochemistry, biology and genetics
Molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics and cancer research

Courses taught

Medisinsk biokjemi (IRBIO20320)
Celle- og molekylærbiologi (IRBIO10520)
Immunologi, hematologi og transfusjonsmedisin (IRBIO20120)
Molekylær diagnostikk og bioinformatikk (IRBIO30220)

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Medicine (2008 – 2012)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway

Doctoral thesis “MR metabolic characterization of locally advanced breast cancer – treatment effects and prognosis”

Master's Degree in Molecular Medicine (2006-2008)

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway

Master’s thesis ”Effect of dietary tetradecylthioacetic acid on SW620 colon cancer xenografts – a gene expression study”

Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Science (2001 – 2004)

Østfold University College (HiØ), Norway

Bachelor’s thesis ”Screening a presumed healthy population for the T>C nucleotide substitution in the xanthine oxidoreductase gene using the dHPLC method”

Research stays abroad

Huddersfield University, UK (2004)
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA (2010 and 2013)

Tags: Biomedical laboratory scientist, medical biochemistry, biology, genetics, cancer research

Pedersen, Christine Aaserød; Cao, Maria Dung; Fleischer, Thomas; Rye, Morten Beck; Knappskog, Stian & Eikesdal, Hans Petter [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2022). DNA methylation changes in response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy are associated with breast cancer survival. Breast Cancer Research. ISSN 1465-5411. 24:43(1), p. 1–14. doi: 10.1186/s13058-022-01537-9. Full text in Research Archive
Madssen, Torfinn Støve; Cao, Maria Dung; Pladsen, Arne Valebjørg; Ottestad, Lars; Sahlberg, Kristine Kleivi & Bathen, Tone Frost [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Historical Biobanks in Breast Cancer Metabolomics — Challenges and Opportunities. Metabolites. ISSN 2218-1989. 9(11). doi: 10.3390/metabo9110278. Full text in Research Archive
Cao, Maria Dung; Cheng, Menglin; Rizwan, Asif; Jiang, Lu; Krishnamachary, Balaji & Bhujwalla, Zaver M. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2016). Targeting choline phospholipid metabolism: GDPD5 and GDPD6 silencing decrease breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. NMR in Biomedicine. ISSN 0952-3480. 29(8), p. 1098–1107. doi: 10.1002/nbm.3573.
Giskeødegård, Guro F.; Cao, Maria Dung & Bathen, Tone Frost (2015). High-Resolution Magic-Angle-Spinning NMR Spectroscopy of Intact Tissue. Methods in molecular biology. ISSN 1064-3745. 1277, p. 37–50. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-2377-9_4.
Cao, Maria Dung; Lamichhane, Santosh; Lundgren, Steinar; Bofin, Anna M.; Fjøsne, Hans Erikssønn & Giskeødegård, Guro F. [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2014). Metabolic characterization of triple negative breast cancer. BMC Cancer. ISSN 1471-2407. 14. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-941. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background The aims of this study were to characterize the metabolite profiles of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to investigate the metabolite profiles associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2/neu (HER-2) overexpression using ex vivo high resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR MAS MRS). Metabolic alterations caused by the different estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and HER-2 receptor statuses were also examined. To investigate the metabolic differences between two distinct receptor groups, TNBC tumors were compared to tumors with ERpos/PgRpos/HER-2pos status which for the sake of simplicity is called triple positive breast cancer (TPBC). Methods The study included 75 breast cancer patients without known distant metastases. HR MAS MRS was performed for identification and quantification of the metabolite content in the tumors. Multivariate partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) modeling and relative metabolite quantification were used to analyze the MR data. Results Choline levels were found to be higher in TNBC compared to TPBC tumors, possibly related to cell proliferation and oncogenic signaling. In addition, TNBC tumors contain a lower level of Glutamine and a higher level of Glutamate compared to TPBC tumors, which indicate an increase in glutaminolysis metabolism. The development of glutamine dependent cell growth or “Glutamine addiction” has been suggested as a new therapeutic target in cancer. Our results show that the metabolite profiles associated with HER-2 overexpression may affect the metabolic characterization of TNBC. High Glycine levels were found in HER-2pos tumors, which support Glycine as potential marker for tumor aggressiveness. Conclusions Metabolic alterations caused by the individual and combined receptors involved in breast cancer progression can provide a better understanding of the biochemical changes underlying the different breast cancer subtypes. Studies are needed to validate the potential of metabolic markers as targets for personalized treatment of breast cancer subtypes.
Wijnen, Jannie p; Jiang, L; Greenwood, TR; Cheng, M; Dopkens, M & Cao, Maria Dung [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2014). Silencing of the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 alters the phospholipid metabolite profile in a breast cancer model in vivo as monitored by 31P MRS. NMR in Biomedicine. ISSN 0952-3480. 27(6), p. 692–699. doi: 10.1002/nbm.3106.
Gadiya, Mayur M.; Mori, N; Cao, Maria Dung; Mironchik, Y; Kakkad, S & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2014). Phospholipase D1 and choline kinase-α are interactive targets in breast cancer. Cancer Biology & Therapy. ISSN 1538-4047. 15(5), p. 593–601. doi: 10.4161/cbt.28165.
Cao, Maria Dung; Döpkens, Mailin; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Vesuna, Farhad; Gadiya, Mayur M. & Lønning, Per Eystein [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2012). Glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain containing 5 (GDPD5) expression correlates with malignant choline phospholipid metabolite profiles in human breast cancer. NMR in Biomedicine. ISSN 0952-3480. 25(9), p. 1033–1042. doi: 10.1002/nbm.2766.
Cao, Maria Dung; Giskeødegård, Guro F.; Bathen, Tone Frost; Sitter, Beathe; Bofin, Anna M. & Lønning, Per Eystein [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2012). Prognostic value of metabolic response in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. BMC Cancer. ISSN 1471-2407. 12. doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-39. Full text in Research Archive Show summary
Background Today's clinical diagnostic tools are insufficient for giving accurate prognosis to breast cancer patients. The aim of our study was to examine the tumor metabolic changes in patients with locally advanced breast cancer caused by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), relating these changes to clinical treatment response and long-term survival. Methods Patients (n = 89) participating in a randomized open-label multicenter study were allocated to receive either NAC as epirubicin or paclitaxel monotherapy. Biopsies were excised pre- and post-treatment, and analyzed by high resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HR MAS MRS). The metabolite profiles were examined by paired and unpaired multivariate methods and findings of important metabolites were confirmed by spectral integration of the metabolite peaks. Results All patients had a significant metabolic response to NAC, and pre- and post-treatment spectra could be discriminated with 87.9%/68.9% classification accuracy by paired/unpaired partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) (p < 0.001). Similar metabolic responses were observed for the two chemotherapeutic agents. The metabolic responses were related to patient outcome. Non-survivors (< 5 years) had increased tumor levels of lactate (p = 0.004) after treatment, while survivors (≥ 5 years) experienced a decrease in the levels of glycine (p = 0.047) and choline-containing compounds (p ≤ 0.013) and an increase in glucose (p = 0.002) levels. The metabolic responses were not related to clinical treatment response. Conclusions The differences in tumor metabolic response to NAC were associated with breast cancer survival, but not to clinical response. Monitoring metabolic responses to NAC by HR MAS MRS may provide information about tumor biology related to individual prognosis.
Cao, Maria Dung; Sitter, Beathe; Bathen, Tone Frost; Bofin, Anna M.; Lønning, Per Eystein & Lundgren, Steinar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). Predicting long-term survival and treatment response in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy by MR metabolic profiling. NMR in Biomedicine. ISSN 0952-3480. 25(2), p. 369–378. doi: 10.1002/nbm.1762.

View all works in Cristin

Volchenkov, Roman; Cao, Maria Dung; Elgstøen, Katja B. Prestø; Goll, Guro Løvik; Eikvar, Kari & Bjørneboe, Olav [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2017). Metabolic profiling of synovial tissue shows altered glucose and choline metabolism in rheumatoid arthritis samples. Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology. ISSN 0300-9742. 46(2), p. 160–161. doi: 10.3109/03009742.2016.1164242.
Cao, Maria Dung (2015). MR i kliniske og prekliniske studier av brystkreft .
Cao, Maria Dung & Giskeødegård, Guro F. (2014). Behandling av aggressiv brystkreft- finnes svaret i våre metabolitter?
Giskeødegård, Guro F.; Cao, Maria Dung; Lamichane, Santosh; Sitter, Beathe; Bofin, Anna M. & Lundgren, Steinar [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2014). Metabolic characterization of triple negative breast cancer.
Cao, Maria Dung (2014). The potential and challenges of HR MAS MRS in characterization of breast cancer.
Sjøbakk, Torill Eidhammer; Hill, Deborah Katherine; Strypet, Hanne; Skjærvik, Linda; Evensmoen, Hallvard Røe & Selnæs, Kirsten Margrete [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2014). MAGNETER OG MEDISIN Stand i samarbeid med Kreftforeingen v/Linda Skjærvik.
Cao, Maria Dung; Cheng, Menglin; Jiang, Lu; Greenwood, Tiffany; Krishnamachary, Balaji & Bhujwalla, Zaver M. [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2014). Targeting choline phospholipid metabolism: GDPD5 and GDPD6 silencing decreases breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion.
Cao, Maria Dung; Bathen, Tone Frost & Giskeødegård, Guro F. (2014). Methylation, metabolomics and response.
Cao, Maria Dung (2013). Breast cancer research beyond borders.
Cao, Maria Dung (2013). The potential role of Metabolomics in breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Cao, Maria Dung; Giskeødegård, Guro F.; Santosh, Lamichhane; Sitter, Beathe; Lundgren, Steinar & Bofin, Anna M. [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2013). Metabolic characterization of triple negative breast cancer.
Cao, Maria Dung (2012). Prediksjon av behandlingsrespons og overlevelse i pasienter med lokalavansert brystkreft. Best Practice Onkologi/Hematologi.
Wijnen, Jannie p; Jiang, Lu; Blackwell, Tiffany; Cao, Maria Dung; Krishnamachary, Balaji & Klomp, Dennis WJ [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy study on the effects of stably silencing the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 in a breast cancer model in vivo.
Cao, Maria Dung; Giskeødegård, Guro F.; Bathen, Tone Frost; Sitter, Beathe; Bofin, Anna M. & Lønning, Per Eystein [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2012). Prognostic value of metabolic response in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Cao, Maria Dung & Giskeødegård, Guro F. (2012). Metabolomics of cancer tissue.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Blackwell, Tiffany; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Bhjuwalla, Zaver M. & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). siRNA-mediated silencing of the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 in breast cancer cells.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Blackwell, Tiffany; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Bhjuwalla, Zaver M. & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). siRNA-mediated silencing of the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 in breast cancer cells.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Blackwell, Tiffany; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Bhjuwalla, Zaver M. & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). siRNA-mediated silencing of the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 in breast cancer cells.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Blackwell, Tiffany; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Bhjuwalla, Zaver M. & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). Metabolic response to glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 silencing in human breast cancer cells.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Blackwell, Tiffany; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Bhjuwalla, Zaver M. & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2012). Metabolic response to glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 silencing in human breast cancer cells.
Moestue, Siver Andreas; Giskeødegård, Guro F.; Cao, Maria Dung; Bathen, Tone Frost & Gribbestad, Ingrid S (2012). Glycerophosphocholine (GPC) is a poorly understood biomarker in breast cancer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. ISSN 0027-8424. 109(38), p. E2506–E2506. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1208226109.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Doepkens, Mailin; Vesuna, Farhad & Lønning, Per Eystein [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2011). GDPD5 expression correlates with choline metabolite profiles in human breast cancer.
Cao, Maria Dung; Jiang, Lu; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Doepkens, Mailin; Bhjuwalla, Zaver M. & Gribbestad, Ingrid S [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2011). Effects of targeting the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 in breast cancer models.
Cao, Maria Dung; Sitter, Beathe; Bathen, Tone Frost; Bofin, Anna M.; Lønning, Per Eystein & Lundgren, Steinar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2010). Predicting long-term breast cancer survival in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy by MR metabolic profiling.
Cao, Maria Dung; Sitter, Beathe; Bathen, Tone Frost; Bofin, Anna M.; Lønning, Per Eystein & Lundgren, Steinar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2010). Predicting long-term survival for breast cancer patients by HR MAS metabolic profiling during neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Cao, Maria Dung; Ljiang, Lu; Doepkens, Mailin; Krishnamachary, Balaji; Blackwell, Tiffany & Bhujwalla, Zaver [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2010). Silencing the glycerophosphocholine phosphodiesterase GDPD5 reduced breast tumor growth and modulated tumor choline phospholipid metabolism.
Cao, Maria Dung (2010). Predicting treatment response and long-term breast cancer survival by HR MAS MRS metabolic profiling.
Cao, Maria Dung; Sitter, Beathe; Bathen, Tone Frost; Lønning, Per E.; Lundgren, Steinar & Gribbestad, Ingrid S (2009). Choline metabolites as biomarkers for predicting response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in local advanced breast cancer patients.
Bathen, Tone Frost; Cao, Maria Dung; Sitter, Beathe; Lønning, Per E.; Lundgren, Steinar & Gribbestad, Ingrid S (2009). MR metabolomics – a tool in detection of biomarkers for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in local advanced breast cancer?
Heldahl, Mariann Gjervik; Sitter, Beathe; Bathen, Tone Frost; Cao, Maria Dung; Lundgren, Steinar & Gribbestad, Ingrid S (2009). In vivo and ex vivo choline metabolite profiles as biomarkers for treatment response in locally advanced breast cancer.
Huynh, Bao-Mai; Selnæs, Kirsten Margrete & Cao, Maria Dung (2014). Metabolic and Histopathological characterization of Prostate cancer. NTNU.
Shiva Shojaei, Moghaddam; Cao, Maria Dung & Bathen, Tone (2013). Metabolic characterization of locally advanced breast cancer in response to NAC treatment based on HR MAS MRS. NTNU.
Cao, Maria Dung (2012). MR metabolic characterization of locally advanced breast cancer - treatment effects and prognosis. NTNU-trykk. ISSN 978-82-471-3420-7.

View all works in Cristin

Published June 12, 2018 4:17 PM - Last modified Oct. 20, 2021 3:12 PM