WCM-Q study highlights potential of flavonoid-induced ferroptosis in treating cancer
The study was made possible through funding from the Biomedical Research Program at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and NPRP-Standard (NPRP-S) 14th Cycle grant NPRP14S-0311-210033 from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings herein reflect the work and are solely the responsibility of the authors.
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Al Bawaba
17 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
WCM-Q study highlights potential of flavonoid-induced ferroptosis in treating cancer
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have explored preclinical evidence on the therapeutic potential of flavonoids that induce ferroptosis in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers in a new article published in the Journal of Advanced Research (ScienceDirect), a leading applied/natural sciences cancers account for a quarter of all cancer cases and are the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In addition, the incidence of early-onset GI cancer in individuals under 50 has been rising at an alarming rate in recent advances in cancer treatment, factors like rapid globalization, changes in the distribution and prevalence of key risk factors, and demographic trends contribute to epidemiological disparities and variations in the incidence and mortality of GI cancers worldwide. Of the GI cancers, colorectal cancer is considered the most predominant, followed by cancers of the stomach, liver, esophagus, and pancreas. While most GI cancers occur sporadically, only 10 percent are hereditary. Apart from the influence of genetic and environmental factors, lifestyle and dietary habits, and multi-causal combinations like obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, are all common risk factors associated with GI treatments for GI cancers include multidisciplinary strategies based on surgical intervention, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and other therapeutic modalities. However, the efficacy of therapeutics is limited by the malignant characteristics of cancer cells, particularly their ability to resist treatment, metastasize, and promote evidence suggests that ferroptosis, a novel iron-dependent form of cell death, may be a promising target for cancer therapy. Ferroptosis is a unique, regulated form of programmed cell death driven by the overaccumulation of lipid peroxides. Numerous preclinical studies have increasingly demonstrated the effectiveness of inducing ferroptosis using natural compounds such as flavonoids as an alternative strategy in cancer article was authored by Ms. Ruqaia Shoheeduzzaman, a graduate of the WCM-Q National Internship Program (June 2024), with co-corresponding authors from WCM-Q: Dr. Dietrich Büsselberg, professor of physiology and biophysics; Dr. Samson Mathews Samuel, research associate in physiology and biophysics; and Ms. Elizabeth Varghese, a senior research specialist.'The review highlights recent studies on the anticancer potential of flavonoids, mediated through ferroptosis, in gastrointestinal cancers, including data derived from in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal model tumor systems. It hypothesizes that flavonoid-mediated ferroptosis presents a strategic intervention in cancer therapy, serving as both anticancer agents and sensitizers to enhance the efficacy of current treatments,' said Dr. Bü article also suggests that the landscape of cancer therapy is continually evolving, and with the development of new, cutting-edge technologies, there is a greater scope to understand and implement natural compounds, such as flavonoids, in cancer therapy. This would facilitate the development of tailored ferroptosis-based therapeutic strategies and help bridge gaps where conventional therapies fall short, thereby further supporting the effective translation of these strategies to clinical use. The study was made possible through funding from the Biomedical Research Program at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and NPRP-Standard (NPRP-S) 14th Cycle grant NPRP14S-0311-210033 from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The findings herein reflect the work and are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- Al Bawaba
Burgan Bank Champions Mental Wellness with Launch of Emotional Aid Workshop
Driven by its commitment to fostering a supportive work environment and leading positive change in Kuwait's banking sector, Burgan Bank hosted Emotional Aid workshop, in collaboration with Anara, at its head office. The workshop was delivered by Dr. Kim Dillen, PhD, a licensed neuropsychologist with extensive experience in mental health care, brain imaging, and neuropsychological assessment, to select senior staff members across various departments, equipping them with the necessary skills to become Burgan Bank's trusted Emotional Wellness Champions. This initiative, which was widely met with enthusiasm from across the Bank's different departments, is part of an expansive program guided by its mission to become an employer of choice and maintain its status as a Great Place to Work®.'Burgan Bank extends its ongoing commitment to instilling mental health as a fundamental pillar of its corporate work culture. Prioritizing our employees' health and safety stems from our belief that a balanced environment is a catalyst for growth and creativity.,' said Ms. Zahra Boarki, Senior Manager – Internal Communication at Burgan Bank. She added: 'We are committed to maintaining a robust a series of internal events and activities that seek to enrich all aspects of our employees' lives, bolstering their physical and mental wellbeing at all times. This comes as part of the Bank's strategy to foster flexible and sustainable work environment standards, focused on achieving a work-life balance and becoming the employer of Choice Our mission is to an employer of choice that prioritize employee development: emotionally, mentally and professionally.'The Emotional Aid workshop marks a significant step forward in promoting employee wellness and setting a new standard for employee care at Burgan Bank. To ensure its sustainability, the initiative follows a top-down design, which prepares managers and equips them with the necessary knowledge and tools to respond adequately to their team's need for personal as well as professional support and guidance. As a bank that is 'Driven by You', Burgan Bank recognizes that fulfillment is key to outstanding performance and innovation, thus sparing no effort to meet its employees' diverse needs for holistic personal and professional growth, beginning with mental, physical, and emotional wellness. It is worth noting that Burgan Bank launched numerous activities and programs to support employees' health and well-being, aiming to create a safe, comfortable and empowering work environment, this includes an internal clinic, a mother's room for new moms, reduced working hours throughout the week, as well as paid leave options such as self-care days leave, paternity leave, marriage leave and birthday leave. The bank also launched various programs to support employee talents and encourage them to be part of its strategy.
Al Bawaba
3 days ago
- Al Bawaba
AUB Inaugurates the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award
In a ceremony that honored the courage and sacrifice of healthcare professionals working in conflict zones, the American University of Beirut (AUB) inaugurated the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award. Established in 2024, this award recognizes health workers and first responders who risk their lives and livelihoods to protect and care for people facing war, siege, and event, which was hosted by the Palestine Land Studies Center at AUB, opened with a minute of silence in respect for all victims of wars and conflicts, followed by a performance by soprano and educator Ghada Ghanem, who recited short poems by Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha and sang 'If I Must Die,' by the late Refaat Alareer. Ghanem is a faculty member at AUB and collaborates with the Edward Said Conservatory to bring music to children in the opening tributes, the program continued with a recorded message from Dr. Debarati Guha-Sapir, an award-winning expert on the health impacts of disasters and conflicts. 'Warring parties are required by law to respect and protect medical personnel. Over the last few years, and as we are seeing Gaza, the complete opposite is happening," said Guha-Sapir. 'We are witnessing the attacks that are usually resulting in the casualties among not only medical workers, but health professionals as well. Ambulance drivers, nurses, paramedics, medical assistants form the foundation of the medical sector, and are the ones who are usually in the frontlines and end up being the victims of such conflicts," she continued. Guha-Sapir's message was followed by a recorded video that included testimonies from health workers who are on the ground in Gaza, explaining the dire situation there, and a thank you note from Dr. Khamis ceremony continued with remarks by Dr. Iman Nuwayhid, professor of public health and environmental and occupational health at the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUB, who spoke about the award's origins and urgency. 'The idea of this award was proposed by my colleague, Dr. Bassem Saab, and was inspired by the resilience, endurance, and resistance of the people of Gaza and the courage of two healthcare professionals–Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah and Dr. Mads Gilbert–who risked their lives and professional careers to support the people of Palestine and beyond," he said, highlighting the individuals after whom the award is of the Division of Plastic Surgery and founder of the Conflict Medicine Program at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, Dr. Ghassan Abu Sittah, is a prominent plastic and reconstructive surgeon and academic who has spent decades treating victims of war – particularly children – in some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones, while championing the rights of the injured and Mads Gilbert is a Norwegian anesthesiologist and emergency medicine specialist who has long stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and provided critical medical care in Gaza while advocating globally for justice through his medical and political reflected on the violence and horrors that have been inflicted on the people of Gaza for almost two years. He also spoke about the reasons behind the selection committee's decision to honor all healthcare professionals of Gaza as the first recipients of the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award, which came after the committee realized that the award needed to honor all who have contributed to supporting the people of Gaza, 'from paramedics, nurses, ambulance drivers, first responders, to the patriarch of a family who sought to salvage everyone from his family who he could reach."Dr. Mohamad Zeyara, who worked and lived in Gaza, received the award on their behalf. Zeyara is a plastic surgeon currently based in Lebanon and receiving further training in reconstructive surgery under the mentorship of Abu Zaina Jallad, director of the Palestine Land Studies Center and assistant professor at the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration at AUB, also spoke during the gathering, noting that the Abu Sittah-Gilbert Humanitarian Award 'is not merely a recognition of courage in the face of danger, it's a recognition of fidelity to life, care, and the irreducible dignity of every human being."Later in the program, a panel discussion brought together Dr. Gilbert and Dr. Abu Sittah, along with Dr. Ben Thomson, public health professional, nephrologist, and internal medicine physician; and Dr. Noura Erakat, human rights attorney and associate professor at the Department of Africana Studies and the Program in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Abu Sittah spoke about his role as a physician. He noted that this role had so far resulted in eight lawsuits that were intended 'not to silence you, but to paralyze you, to make an example of you, and to drain you economically and mentally where you spend your life defending yourself." Abu Sittah said that dealing with these lawsuits was 'nothing compared to the horrors that happened to others who spoke up."Gilbert highlighted the disproportionate number of attacks against the healthcare system. 'Healthcare workers in Gaza are 0.9 percent of the population, but they also make up 7 percent of the total casualties. This means that healthcare workers are being killed eight times more than civilians," he said. He added that 'these attacks are taking place to prevent people from helping in this area because healthcare is a form of resistance in areas where such oppression is taking place." The event concluded with remarks from Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president. He reflected on the emotional weight of the evening, stating, 'It's very difficult to find the words to follow what we've heard tonight from the testimonies of the voices that were nearly silenced but found a way through." Drawing from his own background in medicine, he emphasized the deeper purpose of the medical profession, 'As someone who spent most of his life in medicine, I believe that this award encapsulates what medicine is supposed to be about. Medicine is not just a science or a service, but a moral commitment to protect life – especially when it's most threatened." Khuri honored the courage and sacrifice of those the award seeks to recognize, 'Today we are honoring those who have upheld that commitment and paid the ultimate price, and also those who continue to serve under conditions that defy comprehension."
