1.肿瘤药物发现及新药研究

2.中药改善机体微环境、辅助治疗肿瘤机制的研究

3.中药及功能食品的研发

1.十三五重大新药创制“天然药物有效成分群间功效关联性评价关键技术研究”；

2.中国医学科学院创新工程：中药资源可持续利用关键技术和新药研发-I类新药Zeylenone注射剂抗肿瘤的新药研发

1.Li Gao, Haige Hana, Honglei Wang, Li Cao*, Wen-hai Feng*. IL-10 knockdown with siRNA enhances the efficacy of Doxorubicin chemotherapy in EBV-positive tumors by inducing lytic cycle via PI3K/p38 MAPK/NF-kB pathway. Cancer Letters.2019,(462): 12–22.

2.Zhang L, Sun X, Si J, Li G, Cao L*. Umbelliprenin isolated from Ferula sinkiangensis inhibits tumor growth and migration through the disturbance of Wnt signaling pathway in gastric cancer. PLoS One. 2019,14(7):e0207169.

3.Wang Canhong, Yang Shuxian , Gao Li , Wang Lili , Cao Li*. Carboxymethyl pachyman (CMP) reduces intestinal mucositis and regulates the intestinal microflora in 5-fluorouracil-treated CT26 tumour-bearing mice. Food Funct. 2018 May 23;9(5):2695-2704.

4.Liu D, Huo X, Gao L, Zhang J, Ni H, Cao L*. NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways contribute to the protective effect of Licochalcone A on dextran sulphate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis in mice. Biomed Pharmacother. 2018 Jun;102:922-929.

5.Cai H, Li J, Gu B, Xiao Y, Chen R, Liu X, Xie X, Cao Li*. Extracts of Cordyceps sinensis inhibit breast cancer cell metastasis via downregulation of metastasis-related cytokines expression. J Ethnopharmacol. 2018 Mar 25;214:106-112.

6.Shuxian Yang, Yonghong Liao, Liyong Li, Hong Sun, Xudong Xu, Li Cao*. Zeylenone Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Inhibits Migration and Invasion in Gastric Cancer. Molecules. 2018 Aug,23,2149.

7.Leilei Zhang, Xiaowei Huo, Yonghong Liao, Feifei Yang, Li Gao, Li Cao*. Zeylenone, a naturally occurring cyclohexene oxide, inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in cervical carcinoma cells via PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK/ERK pathways. Scientific Reports, 2017, 7: 1669 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-017-01804-21.

8.Li Gao, Jiayuan Han, Jianyong Si, Junchi Wang, Hexiang Wang, Yipeng Sun,Yuhai Bi, Jinhua Liu, Li Cao*. Cryptoporic acid E from Cryptoporus volvatus inhibits influenza virus replication in vitro. Antiviral Research, 2017, 143:106-112.

9.Xiaowei Huo, Chenqi Liu, Xuelian Bai, Wen jia Li, Jing Li, Xuefeng Hu, Li Cao*. Aqueous extract of Cordyceps sinensis potentiates the antitumor effect of DDP and attenuates therapy-associated toxicity in non-small cell lung cancer via IkBa/NFkB and AKT/MMP2/MMP9 pathways. RSC Advances, 2017,7,37743-37754.

10.Xiaowei Huo, Chenqi Liu, Li Gao, Xudong Xu, Nailiang Zhu, Li Cao*. Hepatoprotective Effect of Aqueous Extract from the Seeds of Orychophragmus violaceus against Liver Injury in Mice and HepG2 Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017,15,18(6):1197.