Environment and Cancer Research

Environment and role of different environmental factors and to identify novel therapeutic modalities. We intend to investigate the molecular effects of common environmental toxins on human cells, their relationship to cancer development, and the signalling pathways involved in the development of different cancers. The impact of various cancer risk factors, such as obesity and the presence of other chronic noncommunicable diseases, is also investigated. In addition, the effect of dietary chemopreventive action of some nutritional elements on cancer is being studied in our group.

Goal 1: Analyze the Influence of Exposure to Common Environmental Toxins and Risk Factors on Human Cells and Their Relation to Cancer Development at the Molecular Level.

1. Characterize the specific genetic mutations and epigenetic changes induced by common environmental toxins.
2. Investigate the dose-response relationship between toxin exposure and molecular alterations in human cells.
3. Explore the temporal dynamics of toxin-induced molecular changes during cancer initiation and progression.

Goal 2: Dissect Signaling Pathways and Mechanisms of Disease Development with a Focus on Carcinogenesis.

1. Identify key oncogenic signaling pathways involved in the development of different cancer types.
2. Determine the crosstalk and interactions between multiple signaling pathways in carcinogenesis.
3. Investigate the role of genetic and epigenetic alterations in pathway dysregulation.

Goal 3: Analyze the Impact of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidants on Vascular Remodeling and Human Health.

1. Quantify oxidative stress markers in different vascular disease models and patient populations.
2. Assess the effects of antioxidant treatments on vascular remodeling and related health outcomes.
3. Investigate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of specific vascular diseases (e.g., atherosclerosis).

Goal 4: Explore the Effects of Nutritional Intervention, Fasting, and Dietary Chemoprevention on Health and Diseases such as Cancer.

1. Conduct clinical trials to evaluate the impact of specific diets on cancer prevention and treatment.
2. Investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of fasting on disease management.
3. Identify and characterize dietary components with chemopreventive and therapeutic potential.

Goal 5: Explore the Use of Environmental and Other Agents in Treating Cancer and Other Diseases.

1. Screen a library of environmental agents for their potential as anticancer therapies.
2. Investigate the mechanisms of action of promising agents in cancer cell lines and animal models.
3. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of selected agents in preclinical and clinical trials.

Goal 6:Study Corrosion Prevention to Promote Environmental Factors on Human Health.

1. Assess the environmental and health impacts of corrosion in specific regions and industries.
2. Develop and implement corrosion prevention strategies in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
3. Monitor and measure the health improvements resulting from reduced environmental corrosion.

Current Projects & Future Directions

1. Analyze the influence of exposure to common environmental toxins on normal mammary, colonic or skin epithelial cells and isogenic breast or colon cancer cells harboring common molecular alterations.

2. Analyze the role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in colon and breast carcinogenesis and identify novel mediators of this phenomenon.

3. Role of p53 & microRNA in apoptosis, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and chemo-resistance.

4. Carcinogenic mechanisms and predisposition to familial and Eastern subsets of colon cancer. This involves international collaboration with Finland and Egypt.

It is widely acknowledged that our environment is becoming increasingly contaminated with man-made chemicals. Mammals, as well as lower organisms, are vulnerable to exposure to these agents through a variety of different sources and routes and there are concerns that they may be having a detrimental effect on ecological and population health.

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) have been described as exogenous agents that interfere with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action or elimination of the natural ligands responsible for maintaining homeostasis and regulating body development. Many different EDs are present in the various compartments of the environment (air, water and land) and in foods (of plant and animal origin). They may originate from food packaging, combustion products, plant health treatments, detergents and the chemical industry in general.

Children obesity is a colossal concern as it  predisposes to various health problems,  which are linked later with adult morbidity  and mortality. Previously, the child obesity  prevention programs were mainly focusing on promoting the physical exercise and  cutting down calories, while it has been proposed recently that endocrine disrupters  such as Phthalate and BPA have a significant role in the drastic increment of  child obesity incidence. Various studies have proved the relation between the levels of urinary phthalates and BPAs to children obesity; however, more validation is required by relating the active forms levels in the serum with the child obesity.

The research group is dedicated to understanding how various environmental factors, both natural and man-made, influence cancer development and impact overall human health. The research encompasses multiple interrelated areas:

Environmental Toxins and Cancer: Investigating the molecular effects of common environmental toxins on human cells and their role in the development of different cancers. This includes identifying specific toxins, characterizing their mechanisms of action, and exploring their links to genetic mutations and cancer initiation.

Signaling Pathways in Carcinogenesis: Delving into the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms that drive cancer development, with a specific focus on how environmental factors disrupt these pathways. This research aims to uncover key targets for potential therapeutic interventions.

Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, and Vascular Health: Examining the impact of oxidative stress on vascular remodeling and overall human health, particularly in the context of chronic diseases like cardiovascular diseases. Research explores how antioxidants can mitigate oxidative damage and improve vascular function.

Nutritional Interventions and Dietary Chemoprevention: Investigating the effects of nutrition, dietary patterns, fasting regimens, and specific dietary components on cancer risk and health outcomes. This research seeks to identify dietary strategies that can prevent cancer and enhance the well-being of cancer patients.

Environmental Agents as Therapies: Exploring the potential of environmental agents and compounds for treating cancer and other diseases. This includes screening and evaluating the safety and efficacy of such agents in preclinical and clinical settings.

Corrosion Prevention and Environmental Health: Studying corrosion prevention methods to protect environmental factors and promote human health. This research assesses the environmental and health impacts of corrosion, develops preventive strategies, and measures improvements in public health resulting from reduced corrosion. 

Active Internal Projects:

Prof. Eman Abu-Gharbieh (2024) Hamdan Award for Best Research in Healthcare. "PneumoMLPred: Innovating Pneumonia Management with Guideline Adherence Review and Explainable Machine Learning-based Mortality Prediction"