Dr Sam Khan

Dr Khan is a medical oncology trainee based at the University Hospitals of Leicester, and an NIHR academic clinical lecturer in medical oncology at the University of Leicester.

Dr Khan’s research interests focus on cancer prevention and treatment strategies in colorectal and lung cancer.

By using 3D ex-vivo models such as patient-derived explants as a platform for screening dietary agents, repurposed drugs, and novel anti-cancer drugs; Dr Khan hopes to understand their mechanism of action and predict patient treatment response, thus allowing greater potential for precision and personalised medicine.

A Childs, SM Khan et al. Biopsy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: results of a multicentre UK audit. British Journal of Cancer 2021;125:1350-1355. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-021-01535-2.  

L Howells, SM Khan et al. A systematic review assessing the clinical utility of curcumin with a focus on cancer prevention. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 2021;(65)13:2000977   https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.202000977

RJ Lee, SM Khan et al. Longitudinal characterisation of haematological and biochemical parameters in cancer patients prior to and during COVID-19 reveals features associated with outcome. ESMO Open 2021;6(1):100005 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2020.100005

LYW Lee et al. COVID-19 prevalence and mortality in patients with cancer and the effect of primary tumour subtype and patient demographics: a prospective cohort study. The Lancet Oncology 2020;21(10):1309-1316 https://doi.org/10.1016/s1470-2045(20)30442-3 (contribution of Leicester data via UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project Team Consortium). 

J Mahale, SM Khan et al. Detection of plasma curcuminoids from dietary intake of turmeric-containing food in healthy human volunteers. Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 2018;62:1800267   https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201800267

M Openshaw, SM Khan et al. A patient with advanced oesophageal cancer requiring interventional radiology and palliative care input. Chapter 3 - Problem solving in patient-centred and integrated cancer care. EBN Health and Association of Cancer Physicians, December 2017.  https://www.ebnhealth.com/index.php/shop/problem-solving-in-patient-centred-and-integrated-cancer-care
 
SEM Bell-Syer, SM Khan and DJ Torgerson. Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017;10:CD003584  https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003584.pub2 

SM Khan et al. Targeting cancer stem-like cells using dietary-derived agents - where are we now?  Molecular Nutrition and Food Research 2016;60(6):1295-1309  https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201500887

SM Khan et al. Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015;10:CD007258. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007258.pub3

SM Khan et al. Identifying patients at risk of neutropenic sepsis. Cancer Nursing Practice 2012;11(6):16-21 https://doi.org/10.7748/cnp2012.07.11.6.16.c9200

SM Khan et al. Tremelimumab (anti-CTLA4) mediates immune responses mainly by direct activation of T effector cells rather than by affecting T regulatory cells. Clinical Immunology 2011;138(1):85-96 PMID:21056008.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clim.2010.09.011

Dr Khan co-supervises 4 PhD students with Professor Karen Brown, Professor Andrew Fry, Professor Don Jones and Professor Sylwia Bujkiewicz.

Dr Khan also supervises LINK students, BSc, MSc, and summer placement students.

Dr Khan currently teaches medical students on the Cancer Care module and Biology of Cancer student-selected module at the University of Leicester Medical School, as well as contributing to the Cancer Molecular Pathology and Therapeutics MSc course.

Cancer prevention and treatment related topics.

• 2021, ECMC Junior Investigators Network Group Steering Committee member
• 2021, NCRI Early Careers Researchers forum member
• 2021, NOTCH member
• 2020, ESMO/ ACP East Midlands representative
• 2019, Academic Clinical Lecturer East midlands representative
• 2018, NCRI screening, early detection and prevention group trainee member
• 2016, ECMC UK Therapeutic Cancer Prevention Network member
• 2013-2015, Clinical Academic Trainees Social Representative

• Poster presentation prize
  • The 10th International Conference on Polyphenols and Health, London, April 2022
  • Title: Polyphenol curcumin targets colorectal cancer stem cells (Nanog+) in human colorectal tissues)

• Best Oral Presentation Award
  • UKEMS Conference, Oxford, September 2018
  • Title: Targeting cancer stem-like cells in colorectal cancer

• Royal Society of Medicine Sylvia Lawler Oncology Prize (Scientific section)
  • Royal Society of Medicine, London, March 2018
  • Title: Targeting cancer stem-like cells in colorectal cancer

• Young Scientist Poster Award
  • UK/Dutch/Belgium Environmental Mutagen Society Conference, Leuven, Belgium, July 2017
  • Title: Developing 3D platforms for the assessment of cancer prevention strategies in colorectal cancer

• PACES Teacher of the Year Finalist
  • University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, May 2014

• Invited speaker
  • Cancer Research UK Clinical Fellows Meeting, London, 2014
  • Title: Investigating Nanog as a potential druggable target in colorectal cancer stem-like cells

• 2021, Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education, University College London/Royal College of Physicians
• 2020, Speciality Certificate in Medical Oncology, Royal College of Physicians
• 2019, PhD, University of Leicester
• 2015, MRes Clinical Sciences (Distinction), University of Leicester
• 2013, MRCP (United Kingdom), Royal College of Physicians
• 2012, MSc modules Health Economics, Qualitative Research and Quantitative Research, University of York
• 2004-2010, MBChB and MRes Medical Sciences (Merit), University of Manchester Medical School