Dr Sam Khan

I am a medical oncology trainee based at the University Hospitals of Leicester and NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology based at the University of Leicester. 

My research interests focus on cancer prevention and treatment strategies in colorectal and lung cancer. 

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

(0) Childs, A. et al Biopsy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: results of a multicentre UK audit. British Journal of Cancer (2021) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-021-01535-2.  

Howells, L. et al A systematic review assessing the clinical utility of curcumin with a focus on cancer prevention. Mol Nutr Food Res (2021) 7(65)13 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202000977. 

Lee, R.J. 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) DOI:10.1016/j.esmoop.2020.100005. 

Lee, L.Y.W. 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) DOI: https://doi.org/10/1016/S1470-2045(20)30442-3 (contribution of Leicester data via UK Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project Team Consortium). 

Mahale, J. 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 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201800267. 

Openshaw, M. 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.
 
Bell-Syer, S.E.M, et al Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017, Issue 10 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003584.pub2. 

Khan, S et al Targeting cancer stem-like cells using dietary-derived agents - where are we now?  Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, June 2016 DOI:10.1002/mnfr.201500887. 

Khan, S.M. et al Wound drainage after plastic and reconstructive surgery of the breast. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, Issue 10. Art. No.: CD007258. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007258.pub3.

Khan, S. et al Identifying patients at risk of neutropenic sepsis. Cancer Nursing Practice, July 2012. DOI.org/10.7748/cnp2012.07.11.6.16.c9200.

Khan, S., et al Tremelimumab (Anti- CTLA-4) mediates immune responses mainly by direct activation of T effector cells rather than by affecting T regulatory cells. Clinical Immunology, Jan 2011. PMID:21056008. DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2010.09.011.

I co-supervise 4 PhD Students with Professor Karen Brown, Professor Andrew Fry, Professor Don Jones and Professor Sylwia Bujkiewicz. 

I also supervise LINK students, BSc, MSc and summer placement students. 

I currently teach medical students on the Cancer Care module and Biology of Cancer student-selected module at the University of Leicester Medical School. In addition I contribute 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 

‘Best Oral Presentation Award’ at UKEMS Conference (Oxford, September 2018) (Title: Targeting cancer stem-like cells in colorectal cancer)

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

‘Young Scientist Poster Award’ at 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, UK, May 2014)

Invited speaker at Cancer Research UK Clinical Fellows Meeting, London 2014 - 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