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Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide, with more than two million new cases each year. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and invasive subtype of breast cancer, making up over 15 per cent of all cases. While chemotherapy is the main treatment for TNBC, many patients develop resistance to the treatment, which limits its long-term success and leads to relapse. Understanding the factors behind chemotherapy resistance is essential for developing better, more effective treatments that can improve patient outcomes.

Scientists at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) in the United Arab Emirates are examining the key challenges in cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy resistance in patients with TNBC. “We are investigating the factors that drive cancer progression and why some patients respond differently to treatment or develop resistance,” says Fahad Ali, assistant professor of molecular biology at MBRU. “A deeper understanding of these mechanisms will help us advance personalised treatment and develop more effective targeted therapies.”

 

Ali and his team have identified a protein complex linked to chemotherapy resistance in TNBC. “By targeting this complex, we were able to enhance TNBC’s responsiveness to chemotherapy,” says Ali. “We utilised a compound that inhibits this complex. When used alongside chemotherapy, it significantly reduces the required dosage of chemotherapy. This approach to cancer treatment has the potential to minimise side effects and enhance effectiveness.”

MBRU has established state-of-the-art research facilities to support its researchers and provides funding and resources to advance scientific discoveries. “MBRU and the Al Jalila Foundation play a key role in supporting our research through grants and postdoctoral fellowship awards,” says Ali. Additionally, the university offers dedicated research time, allowing scholars to focus on their research. 

MBRU is part of Dubai Health, which is an integrated academic health system comprising several speciality hospitals, medical centres and the Biomedical Research Center in Dubai. 

MBRU bridges the gap between basic science research and clinical application by fostering collaboration among scientists and clinicians across Dubai Health. “Bringing together experts with diverse skills leads to more impactful research,” Ali says. “Collaborating with oncologists and surgeons across Dubai Health hospitals is essential as their clinical insights help shape research that directly benefits patients.” 

Dubai Health is set to open the Hamdan Bin Rashid Cancer Hospital, which will be a state-of-the-art, specialised cancer hospital dedicated to advancing cutting-edge cancer research and treatment. “This facility will seamlessly integrate basic and translational research with clinical research, bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world treatments to drive innovation in oncology,” Ali says.

about the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences.