Dr. Zhang Wei

Dr. Zhang Wei

Deputy Chief Physician, Associate Professor
Department of Neurosurgery, Tsinghua University School of Medicine & Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital, Beijing

Profile Summary

Dr. Zhang Wei is a distinguished neurosurgeon and researcher specializing in minimally invasive surgeries for complex neurosurgical conditions, particularly central nervous system (CNS) tumors. He is internationally recognized for her pioneering work in the treatment of Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), where he leads a multidisciplinary team integrating clinical care with cutting-edge basic research at Tsinghua University.

As one of China’s foremost experts in neuro-oncology, Dr. Zhang is noted for developing epigenetic-based immunotherapies for DMG, positioning her team as trailblazers in personalized neuro-oncology treatments. Her group is the first at Tsinghua to be structured around a disease-centric research approach, deeply integrating multi-omics, molecular biology, and immunology.

Education

• Visiting Scholar (2017): Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University
• Joint Doctoral Program (2009–2012): Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University
• Direct Doctoral Program (2004–2011): Fourth Military Medical University
• Bachelor of Medicine (1999–2004): Fourth Military Medical University

Work Experience

• 2020–Present:
  • Associate Chief Physician, Department of Neurosurgery, Tsinghua Chang Gung Hospital
  • Researcher, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University
  • Assistant Professor and PhD Supervisor, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University
• 2016–2019: Associate Professor & Master Supervisor, Fourth Military Medical University
• 2011–2016: Attending Physician & Lecturer, Fourth Military Medical University
• 2011–2012: Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University

Research Focus

Dr. Zhang’s research encompasses:

• Mechanisms of malignant progression in DMG
• Epigenetic immunotherapy
• Liquid biopsy and molecular imaging in DMG
• Biomarker development for early screening and prognosis

He has led and participated in major national projects, including:

• 2 National Natural Science Foundation of China grants
• 4 National 863 Program projects
• 1 China Postdoctoral Science Foundation project

Dr. Zhang has published over 50 SCI-indexed articles, 30+ core Chinese journal articles, and holds several patents.

Contributions

Dr. Zhang Wei is a prolific academic and clinical leader advancing neuro-oncology in China. Her translational research and integration of epigenetics with immunotherapy provide hope in conditions like DMG, which traditionally have poor outcomes. Her leadership continues to shape the next generation of neurosurgeons and researchers in one of China’s top academic and medical institutions.

🧠 Specialization

Dr. Zhang Wei specializes in minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures, with a particular focus on the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) tumors. He is renowned for her expertise in managing diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a highly aggressive and challenging brain tumor. Her work integrates clinical practice with cutting-edge research, including the development of epigenetic-based immunotherapies for DMG.

🧠 List of Treatments Provided by Dr. Zhang Wei:

1. Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery

• For various CNS tumors

• Spinal cord and brainstem lesions

• Use of neuroendoscopy and neuronavigation

2. Treatment of Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)

• Comprehensive care led by a multidisciplinary team

• Individualized treatment planning

3. Epigenetic-Based Immunotherapy

• A novel approach for treating DMG

• Combines molecular profiling with immunological targeting

4. Liquid Biopsy and Molecular Imaging

• For early diagnosis, monitoring tumor progression, and recurrence detection in DMG

5. Biomarker-Driven Therapy

• Early screening and prognosis markers for CNS malignancies

6. Research-Driven Personalized Therapies

• Utilizing multi-omics and molecular diagnostics

• Integrating clinical trials for experimental therapeutics

Dr. Zhang Wei is a leading neurosurgeon and researcher at Tsinghua University, recognized for her groundbreaking work in treating Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG), a highly aggressive central nervous system tumor. Her research integrates clinical neurosurgery with advanced molecular and epigenetic studies, aiming to develop innovative therapies for DMG patients.

🧠 Research Focus

Dr. Zhang’s research encompasses several key areas:

• Mechanisms of DMG Malignancy: Investigating the molecular and epigenetic factors contributing to the aggressive nature of DMG.
• Epigenetic Agent-Based Immunotherapy: Developing novel treatments that combine epigenetic modifiers with immunotherapeutic approaches to target DMG cells.
• Liquid Biopsy and Molecular Imaging: Creating non-invasive diagnostic tools for early detection and monitoring of DMG progression.
• Biomarker Discovery: Identifying markers for early screening, tumor progression, and prognosis of DMG.

📚 Selected Publications

1. Diffuse Midline Glioma Treated with Epigenetic Agent-Based Immunotherapy
   Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 2023; 8(1):23.
   This study reports significant tumor regression in a recurrent spinal cord DMG patient with leptomeningeal metastasis treated with epigenetic agent-based immunotherapy, resulting in a 20-month survival period, which is notably longer than the typical median survival of 1.6–3.8 months for such cases.
2. HiTIP-seq Profiles Epigenomic Reprogramming of Patient-Derived Diffuse Midline Glioma Stem Cells
   Cell Reports Methods, 2024.
   This research introduces HiTIP-seq, a technique for profiling epigenetic alterations in DMG stem cells, highlighting potential biomarkers for treatment and demonstrating the efficacy of epigenetic agent-based immunotherapy in preclinical models.
3. Clinical Prognostic Factors and Molecular Characteristics of Spinal Cord Diffuse Midline Glioma
   Neurosurgery, 2025.
   This cohort study analyzes clinical and molecular features of 46 spinal cord DMG patients, providing insights into prognostic factors and aiding in the development of evidence-based treatment strategies.

🏅 Academic Contributions

• Principal Investigator at the IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University.
• Assistant Professor and PhD Supervisor at the School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University.
• Associate Chief Physician at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital.
• Recipient of multiple national research grants, including two from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and four from the National 863 Program.
• Author of over 50 SCI-indexed articles and holder of several patents related to neuro-oncology.

Dr. Zhang Wei’s integration of clinical expertise with cutting-edge research continues to advance the field of neuro-oncology, offering new hope for patients with challenging CNS tumors like DMG.

If you would like a curated list of Dr. Zhang’s publications or further information on her research, please let me know.