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Dr. Zeng Musheng

Chinese name: 曾木圣
Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor . Cancer Virology and Tumor Biology
Dr. Zeng Musheng is Vice Director of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. A leading cancer virologist, he studies how Epstein-Barr virus infects cells and causes nasopharyngeal carcinoma, identified key viral receptors, and is building innovative EBV vaccine systems to prevent related cancers.

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Coordinated end-to-end by Orisene

30+ years​
Research experience
100+ papers​
Academic output
3 EBV receptors identified​
Landmark discoveries

  • The Physician

About Dr. Zeng Musheng

Dr. Zeng Musheng is Vice Director of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Vice President of the hospital, Dean of Zhongshan School of Medicine and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is an internationally recognized cancer virologist focused on the mechanisms by which Epstein-Barr virus infects cells and causes cancer. His team first identified R9AP as a common receptor for EBV infection of epithelial and B cells and discovered DSC2 and EphA2 as key entry receptors, providing targets for vaccines and antiviral drugs. He has built an innovative EBV vaccine platform, is President of the International Association for EBV and Related Diseases, and was named a Changjiang Scholar.
1、Vice Director of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Vice President of the hospital and Dean of Zhongshan School of Medicine
2、Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; professor and doctoral supervisor in cancer virology
3、President of the International Association for Epstein-Barr Virus and Related Diseases and Chairman of the CACA Tumor Microenvironment Committee
4、Completed the first whole-genome sequence analysis of a nasopharyngeal carcinoma-derived EBV strain and established the first nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line
5、Identified NMHC-IIA, EphA2, NRP1, DSC2 and R9AP as key EBV receptors, with results published in Nature and Nature Microbiology
6、Named a Changjiang Scholar by the Ministry of Education and a Distinguished Scholar of Guangdong Province; built an innovative EBV vaccine system

Dr. Zeng Musheng ’s Three Key Areas of Expertise

Three areas of focused expertise, each supported by a deep subspecialty team, high case volumes and an English-speaking care pathway coordinated by Orisene.

Epstein-Barr virus related cancers

Research on how EBV infects epithelial and immune cells and drives nasopharyngeal carcinoma; his discovery of the R9AP common receptor provides new targets for early screening, prevention and antiviral therapy, opening new ways to block virus-driven tumors in high-risk populations.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Basic and translational research on EBV-driven carcinogenesis; his team built the first nasopharyngeal epithelial cell model and an efficient EBV infection model to study early tumor formation, prevention and antiviral intervention, providing a foundation for understanding how the virus starts cancer.

EBV vaccine development

Designing innovative vaccine systems against EBV and associated cancers; several candidate vaccines have signed technology transfer agreements for further development, aiming to prevent nasopharyngeal carcinoma in high-risk populations and to reduce the burden of virus-related tumors through prevention in the community.

More: EBV-associated gastric cancer and lymphoma, tumor virology, and early diagnosis of virus-related tumors

  • Clinical Practice & Publications

Selected cases, research & publications

Representative work drawn from documented clinical treatments, publicly indexed literature, and hospital project records, reflecting the depth of this physician's hands-on expertise and academic rigor.
1. R9AP is a common receptor for EBV infection in epithelial cells and B cells
Identifying R9AP as the shared receptor enabling Epstein-Barr virus to enter both epithelial and B cells overturns a long-standing paradigm in viral entry. Using highly efficient infection models and antibody blockade, this study shows R9AP peptides and monoclonal antibodies suppress infection, giving nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EBV disease patients a promising new vaccine and antiviral target.
2. Desmocollin 2 is a dominant entry receptor for Epstein-Barr virus infection of epithelial cells
Using genome-wide CRISPR–Cas9 screening, this study identifies desmocollin 2 (DSC2) as the dominant receptor mediating Epstein-Barr virus entry into epithelial cells. DSC2 binds viral gH/gL, enabling infection of nasopharyngeal and gastric cells and non-human cells, and antibodies blocking this interaction curb infection—advancing animal models and targeted therapies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
3. Neuropilin 1 is an entry factor that promotes EBV infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells
This translational study shows neuropilin 1 (NRP1) directly binds Epstein-Barr virus glycoprotein gB, functioning as an entry factor that promotes viral infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. Knockdown or soluble NRP1 suppresses infection, while upregulation enhances it, revealing a druggable host target for preventing EBV infection and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in high-risk patients.
4. Nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA mediates Epstein-Barr virus infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells
By developing an efficient in vitro model, this work identifies nonmuscle myosin heavy chain IIA (NMHC-IIA) as a host factor mediating Epstein-Barr virus infection of nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. NMHC-IIA binds viral gH/gL, and knockdown or antisera significantly block infection, offering mechanistic insight and a potential target for nasopharyngeal carcinoma prevention and diagnosis.
5. Ephrin receptor A2 is an epithelial cell receptor for Epstein-Barr virus entry
Combining microarray and RNA interference screening, this study identifies Ephrin receptor A2 (EphA2) as a critical epithelial cell receptor for Epstein-Barr virus entry. EphA2 binds viral gH/gL and gB; soluble EphA2, blocking antibodies, ligands or inhibitors efficiently prevent infection, highlighting a translational target for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EBV-associated gastric cancer patients.
6. A gB nanoparticle vaccine elicits a protective neutralizing antibody response against EBV
This study designs a gB-displaying nanoparticle vaccine that elicits potent neutralizing antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus. In mice, non-human primates and humanized mice, it blocks infection of epithelial and B cells and prevents lymphomagenesis, demonstrating strong clinical translational potential as a next-generation vaccine to prevent nasopharyngeal carcinoma and EBV-related disease.
  • Affiliated Hospital

Where Dr. Zeng Musheng practices

Guangzhou

Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center

Chinese name: 中山大学肿瘤防治中心
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, founded in 1964, is South China's leading oncology institute and the nation's top-ranked cancer center in scientific impact, ranking fifth worldwide on the 2024 Nature Index, with 6 academicians and one of Asia's finest radiotherapy centers.
Since 1964
62 years of cancer care
2,245
Licensed beds
2.56 million
Annual outpatient visits
6
Licensed beds
View Hospital Profile
Appointments with this physician are booked through official hospital channels only, coordinated end-to-end by Orisene.
  • WHY INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS CHOOSE CHINA

Why patients travel to China for treatment

Six reasons international patients now put China on their shortlist — from internationally aligned clinical capability to the policy channels that make treatment here genuinely reachable.

Clinical capability at international standard

Chinese hospitals deliver internationally aligned protocols, performing vast volumes of advanced robotic, minimally invasive, and complex transplant surgeries annually. This massive clinical data and highly specialized workforce ensure world-class outcomes, even for rare and complex cases.

Diagnostics and treatment in days, not months

A full medical workup that typically means months of waiting elsewhere is completed in China within 48–72 hours. Imaging, labs, and multidisciplinary consultations are integrated into a single visit, allowing treatment to commence immediately.

Transparent, itemised pricing

Chinese healthcare offers legally binding, itemised cost estimates before treatment begins, eliminating hidden fees or surprise billing. Due to national centralized procurement, total expenses remain 40–70% lower than comparable care in Western Europe or North America.

Policy channels that open the door

China facilitates access through 240-hour visa-free transit and dedicated medical visa routes. Policies like the Greater Bay Area drug pathway and Boao Lecheng’s pilot zone allow designated hospitals to administer innovative therapies not yet globally approved.
  • International Patient Guide

Consulting this physician, step by step

From the first message to the follow-up after you fly home, one coordinator, no paperwork on your side.
01
Day 0
  • Share your story
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02
Days 1–3
  • Records review & matching
    Orisene translates and presents your case to the right specialist. The hospital returns a tailored care plan, with costs itemised once that plan is confirmed.
03
Days 3–7
  • Your consultation
    Appointments are booked through official hospital channels only. Your navigator accompanies every visit with real-time interpretation, so you can focus on one thing: being cared for.
04
After you fly home
  • Reports & follow-up
    Translated reports and prescriptions delivered within days, remote follow-up coordination with your physicians at home, and a standing line to your navigator.
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Information Sources

This physician profile is compiled by the Orisene team from publicly available online sources and verified at the time of publication. Details may change, and physician availability is confirmed at the time of booking.

Disclaimer: This information is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personal medical guidance.

Mention of any specific product, brand, or manufacturer is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Dr. Zeng Musheng.