The cancer biology research laboratory at Cairo University, Egypt, was established by Prof. Dr. Mona Mostafa Mohamed in 2007 when she got fund from Cairo University and Avon Foundation (USA) to establish the first breast cancer biology lab in Egypt (.http://cbrl.sci.cu.edu.eg/about-us/). In 2012 Dr. Sherif A. Ibrahim (GLYCANC project leader) got fund from DAAD to study the role of the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, Syndecan-1 (Sdc-1), in breast cancer progression (http://syndecan1.com/teaching/). We are interested in defining distinct molecular signature and deciphering novel molecular mechanisms which governing inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and its tumor microenvironment (http://cbrl.sci.cu.edu.eg/research/). We are working at cellular/molecular levels and specific topics related to cancer initiation/progression and metastasis (http://cbrl.sci.cu.edu.eg/publications/). This will aid in paving the way for innovations in experimental treatment and improve patient outcome. IBC is of particular interest to our lab as this is a breast cancer that occurs in young women, is invariably fatal and one that occurs somewhat more frequently in Northern Africa. Our extensive work on the potential role of the cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, Syndecan-1 (Sdc-1), in breast cancer progression suggests its role in the pathogenesis of the IBC, through modulation of (lymph) angiogenesis, and the activity of angiogenesis factors which influence the progression of the IBC. We have multiinstitutional and multidisciplinary teams of clinicians and basic scientists and faculty members. Our laboratory is internationally oriented and possesses collaboration partners from Germany and USA.
Personnel
a. Prof. Mohamed has an excellent experience in IBC research. Prof. Mohamed made fundamental contributions to our knowledge of the cancer cell and inflammatory cell interactions that are integral to the Pathobiology of IBC. Prof. Mohamed is a PI of many grants funded by avon foundation (USA), Science & Technology Development Fund (Egypt) and Cairo University (Egypt). b. Prof. Mohamed El-Shinawi, professor of Surgery in Ain Shams University, is responsible for patient recruitment, enrolment, diagnosis, filling clinical data sheets, collecting blood and tissue samples during surgery as well as patients follow-up. Prof. El-Shinawi is a Co-PI of many grants funded by avon foundation (USA), Science & Technology Development Fund (Egypt). Prof. El-Shinawi participates in the study design, select patients appropriate for the study, convince patients to participate in the study, obtain IRB approval and consent form. Prof. El-Shinawi works closely with prof. Mohamed and Dr. Ibrahim to clinically translate their research results from bench side to bed side. c. Dr. Ibrahim studied the role of Syndecan-1 in breast cancer progression. Recently, he addressed Syndecan-1 as a master regulator of breast cancer stem cells. From 2013-now, he is a lecturer in Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt. Dr. Ibrahim is a PI of DAAD Al Tawasul Project ID 56808461, grant Title: ‘’ Syndecan-1 in inflammation’’. d. Students. We currently have 5 master students, 3 PhD students, and 1 postdoc
Dr. Sherif Ibrahim at work
