Tribune News Network
Doha
In 2022, Qatar University Health Cluster (QU Health) signed an agreement with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) to establish a dual PhD degree programme, providing a golden opportunity for collaboration between two prestigious institutions.
This initiative has already yielded remarkable results for Menatallah Rayan, the first student to embark on her PhD journey under this innovative programme. Menatallah’s research, supervised by Prof Hesham Korashy, professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy at QU, and Prof Jochen Prehn, professor of Physiology and Medical Physics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, focuses on the critical intersection of environmental factors and the gut microbiome in colorectal cancer (CRC).
Menatallah Rayan, who completed her BSc in Pharmacy at QU in 2021 and her MSc in Pharmacy in 2023, is a paragon of academic excellence.
Under the guidance of Prof Abdelbary El-Hissi, head of Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at QU, Menatallah’s commitment to research was honoured with the Order of Excellence and the Research Distinguish Award during her BSc and MSc studies, respectively. Her current research aims to unravel the complex dynamics between environmental toxins and the gut microbiome in CRC, a field poised to transform cancer research and treatment.
Colorectal cancer stands as the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The grim reality is that most CRC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, significantly limiting treatment options and survival rates.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental factors account for 19 percent of cancer deaths globally, encompassing processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, smoking, alcohol and obesity.
Furthermore, occupational exposure to carcinogens contributes to up to 33 percent of cancer fatalities. Recent studies have revealed that the human microbiome, a complex ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, plays a substantial role in health and disease, influencing conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and various forms of cancer. Notably, about 20 percent of cancer incidences are linked to microbial activity and its byproducts.
A significant area of interest in Menatallah’s research is the interplay between environmental toxins, specifically halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and gut microbiome composition.
These toxins, which humans encounter through food, air, water, cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust, are known for their carcinogenic properties. PAHs, in particular, disrupt gut microbiome metabolic pathways, creating a proinflammatory environment conducive to cancer development.
The activation of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) by PAHs and HAHs is well documented, yet the role of AhR in microbiome-mediated carcinogenesis remains underexplored and warrants further investigation. The collaboration between QU and RCSI brings together leading experts in their fields.
At QU, Prof Hesham Korashy’s laboratory specialises in environmental toxicology and molecular oncology, with a focus on the role of AhR and its downstream targets, Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and 1B1 (CYP1B1). His research has significantly advanced our understanding of environmental pollutant toxicity and its impact on diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, earning him recognition and substantial funding for his work.
At RCSI, Prof Jochen Prehn is renowned for his expertise in single-cell analysis. His development of the NanoString GeoMx platform for spatial transcriptomic profiling and the CellDIVE Multiplexing platform, the first of its kind in Europe, underscores his pioneering contributions to oncology.
Prof Prehn’s research focuses on identifying prognostic and predictive biomarkers and developing stratification tools to enhance chemotherapy response prediction, aiming to improve cancer treatment outcomes and survival rates.
Menatallah’s research is poised to enhance the understanding of cancer’s molecular mechanisms, potentially identifying novel therapeutic and chemopreventive targets. By elucidating the interactions between environmental factors, the gut microbiome and cancer development, this work aims to pave the way for innovative strategies to combat CRC and improve patient outcomes globally.