Cancer Biology and Immunology
Group Members
Dr. Saba Haq, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Ph.D. Life Sciences, Hanyang University, South Korea
Dr. Namrah Anwar, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Ph.D. Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan
Tunch Akmandor, Ph.D. (In progress)
Research Assistant
Ph.D. Biomedical Science (Cancer Immunopharmacology), Middlesex University, UK
MSc. Biomedical Science (Haematology and Transfusion Science), Middlesex University, UK
MSc. Biomedical Science (Cellular Pathology), Nottingham Trent University, UK
Leah Meyer, BSc.
Research Assistant
BSc. Biochemistry, University of Bristol, UK
Research Coordinator
Elisa Hampson
admin@camcid.org
Research Focus
Our research is focused on tumors, such as breast, endocrine, and lung cancers, etc. We study the cellular and molecular basis of cancer. We are involved in the areas of immunology, molecular oncology, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for cancer, and autoimmune diseases. By performing in-depth literature reviews and analysis of the data we understand the underlying disease mechanisms.
We aim to find the most effective biomarkers and cancer treatment approaches. We are also involved in research projects in collaboration with our partners.
Projects
Cancer and COVID - Shared Genetics and Therapeutics
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic originated in 2019 and caused over 1.3 million deaths. As an emerging virus, the exact pathology of the SARS-CoV-2 is not yet fully understood. Among different implicated pathways by SARS-CoV-2, some are also associated with various cancers. Our aim is to explore the role of ACE2/TPMRSS2 in the virus’s path through a cell and in different cancers. Moreover, the shared intracellular signal transduction pathways like p53, mTOR, and PI3K, and the immunoinflammatory responses are also explored. Additionally, we are identifying the current therapeutics targeting the modulation of elements of these pathways in cancers and assess the potential of repurposing these drugs for COVID-19 treatment.
Identification of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) as the Potential Biomarker in SARS-CoV-2 and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Cancers predispose individuals to exhibit high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as critical disease outcomes. The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a membrane glycoprotein expressed in various tissues like the kidney, the endothelium, the lungs, and the heart. Besides SARS-CoV-2, its varied expression has been found to be associated with different pathologies, including cancers. The heterogeneous expression of ACE2 could be attributed to epigenetic or post-transcriptional changes. We aim to analyze the expression of ACE2 in conjunction with renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) subtypes. Using computational analyses, we intend to investigate the association of ACE2 expression and clinicopathological features of RCCs. Moreover, the methylation status of the ACE2 gene promoter in RCCs, the survival analysis in RCCs patients relating to ACE2 expression and immune cell filtration will also be determined. Further, the functional analysis will explore the ACE2-mediated shared pathways in RCCs and SARS-CoV-2. These findings will evaluate the susceptibility of RCC patients to SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as predict disease prognosis. Overall, our results will indicate the importance of ACE2 as a potential biomarker in progressive kidney cancers and SARS-CoV-2.