Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary cancer research

Research Programs

Gastrointestinal and Genitourinary cancer research

Over a third of all diagnosed cancers in Lebanon are gastrointestinal or genitourinary cancers as per the 2015 National Cancer Registry data. Gastrointestinal cancers account around 2,000 cases per year, with colorectal cancer accounting to more than half of them. Similarly, genitourinary cancers account for over 2,000 cases annually with bladder and prostate cancer constituting over 75% of them.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly reported cancer in males, a surge in cases was noted upon the promotion of screening of prostate cancer that began in 1994.

Bladder cancer incidence ranks second in Lebanon, is highest in the region and compares with Western rates. This rate is explained by the high proportion of smokers, especially females, over the past few decades.

Colon cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in younger age groups which intensifies its burden. Colon cancer risk increases if lifestyle related activities were associated with poor diet and lack of exercise. However, the largest proportion of colon cancers can be avoided with early detection of polyps through colonoscopy. In the Middle East region, most patients present with late stage disease due to the lack of screening.

Our mission is to improve on the quality and survival rate of genitourinary and gastrointestinal cancer patients by collaborating with international and regional bodies. Be the leading institution in seeking breakthrough and personalized therapy in clinical research and to encourage the multidisciplinary case discussion meetings. We aim at improving on outcomes through further exploring translational clinical research in a multidisciplinary setting.

Our Goals:

Further determine genetic mutations that can lead to aggressive GastroIntestinal and GenitoUrinary cancers
Determine distinctive cancer specific changes in GI and GU cancer types that can lead to adapted treatment
Provide the best precision/personalized medical care and treatment for our patients.
Make a difference in cancer education and awareness in patient through spreading the highlights of our research
Studying the epidemiology and different environmental factors that can be different from other regions

Research Collaborations

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: MSKCC
MD Anderson Cancer Center: MD Anderson
King Hussein Cancer Center: KHCC
Oncodistinct Clinical Trials Network: Oncodistinct
PRACTICAL prostate cancer research institute: PCRI

Ongoing gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancer research projects include:

Colorectal

Observational Prospective Study In Management of 1st line KRAS Wildtype mCRC with Erbitux™ (Cetuximab) – OPTIM1SE

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Sally Temraz

Prostate

Multi-Center, Observational, Retrospective Study of Prostate Cancer in Real Practice within Middle Eastern and North African Countries: Patients’ Characterization, Disease Prognosis and Treatment Patterns in Prostate Cancer in Real Practice in the Middle East and North Africa (PROCARE)

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Ali Shamseddine

PARACHUTE: Pazopanib Real-world assessment of clinical effectiveness and safety in patients who have undergone treatment in different settings in advanced renal cell carcinoma; a prospective, non-interventional, observational study (CPZP034AIC04)

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Bladder

Determination of Mutational Profile of Waterpipe Smoking Bladder Cancer Patients

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Ali Shamseddine

Waterpipe smoking among Bladder Cancer Patients: A cross-sectional study in a Lebanese population

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Ali Shamseddine

Characterization of bladder normal and cancer cells response to radiotherapy

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Youssef Zeidan

Colorectal

Outcome and prognostics factors in patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer treated with preoperative chemo radiation at a single institution

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Fady Geara

Colorectal Cancer Outcome Study

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Sally Temraz

Predictive and Prognostic value of inflammatory markers and microRNA in stage IV colorectal cancer: A single institution experience BIO-2018-0041

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Sally Temraz

Determinants of complete clinical and pathologic response in rectal cancer treated by preoperative chemoradiation

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Zeina Ayoub

Gastric

Expression of HER2 in Signet Ring Gastric Cancer

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Evaluation of morphology, HER2 status and its clinical and prognostic correlation in advanced gastric cancer

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Epstein-Barr status and Immune Activation in Middle Eastern Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Liver

The Combination of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Immunotherapy in Primary Liver Tumors: A Review

Methodology: Review

Ali Shamseddine

Predictors of Oxaliplatin-Induced Hepatotoxicity: Increase in Spleen Volume or Liver Fibrosis and Steatosis?

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Ali Shamseddine

Combination of SBRT and Immunotherapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma

Methodology: Review

PI: Ali Shamseddine

REFINE: Regorafenib observational study in hepatocellular Carcinoma

Methodology: Review

PI: Ali Shamseddine

Splenic volume vs fibroscane for detection of early oxaliplatin liver toxicity

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Ali Shamseddine

Pancreas

Changes in body composition in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with FOLFIRINOX

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Neo-adjuvant FOLFIRINOX in borderline-respectable/locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Sally Temraz

Modified GTX second-line therapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Sally Temraz

A Single Institution Study of Predictive Biomarkers for GEMCITABINE ABRAXANE and FOLFIRINOX treatment in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Patients

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Sally Temraz

Prostate

Collaborative Prostate Cancer Translational Research Project: Development of pre-clinical models of disease and non-invasive biomarkers of treatment response

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Prostate cancer urinary biomarkers

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Prostate cancer at AUBMC: Stage at presentation and utilization of chemotherapy

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy versus 3D Radiation Therapy to Treat Prostate Cancer: A Study Based on Individual Patient-Reported Normal Tissue Constraints

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Fady Geara

Prostate cancer treated by risk adjusted radiation therapy and androgen ablation

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Fady Geara

Three dimensional vs intensity modulated radiotherapy plans for prostate cancer patients

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Fady Geara

Genetic predisposition to prostate cancer in a cohort of Lebanese men

Methodology: Observational (cohort/cross-sectional..)

PI: Deborah Mukherji

Quality of life in men with prostate cancer treated by Lutetium 177 PSMA radionuclide therapy at AUBMC