Associate Professor, Loma Linda University, United States
Dr. Salma Khan is an accomplished Associate Professor at Loma Linda University, specializing in gynecologic oncology and molecular medicine. 🧬 With both MD and PhD credentials, she brings a rich blend of clinical expertise and cutting-edge research experience. Since 2006, Dr. Khan has focused on cancer biology, particularly studying survivin — a protein involved in cancer cell survival — and its role in cancer progression through exosomal pathways. Her work advances early cancer detection and highlights health disparities, making her a respected leader in cancer research and education. 🌟
Professional Profile
Scopus Profile
ORCID
Google Scholar
🎓 Education
Dr. Khan earned her MBBS/MD degree from Gandhi Medical College in Bhopal, India, followed by residency and fellowship training in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Kumamoto University, Japan. 🇮🇳🇧🇩🇯🇵 She completed her PhD in Gynecologic Oncology at Kumamoto University, where she specialized in molecular mechanisms of cancer. Her diverse international education has given her a broad, multidisciplinary perspective that informs her research and clinical work. 🎓📚
💼 Experience
Dr. Khan’s extensive experience spans clinical practice and academic research. She currently holds faculty positions at Loma Linda University in Basic Sciences, Internal Medicine, and Otolaryngology. 🏥 She has contributed as a postdoctoral fellow at prestigious institutions like Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and LLU, focusing on molecular oncology. Additionally, Dr. Khan plays an active role in academic leadership, serving on committees for faculty promotion, research symposia, and diversity initiatives. 🏆
🔬 Research Interests
Her primary research explores the molecular biology of cancer, with a special focus on survivin — a protein that inhibits apoptosis (cell death) and promotes tumor growth and metastasis. 🔍 Dr. Khan investigates how survivin is released via exosomes (small vesicles secreted by cells) and how this process contributes to cancer progression and immune system evasion. She also studies the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors in breast and thyroid cancers, emphasizing health disparities among ethnic groups. 🌍
🏅 Awards and Honors
Dr. Khan’s groundbreaking work has earned her several prestigious awards, including the Best Mentor Award from the Bangladesh Medical Association of Northern America (BMANA) in multiple years and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Health Disparities Award in 2024. 🏅 She has been recognized consistently with travel awards from the American Thyroid Association and the Endocrine Society for her scientific contributions and leadership in cancer research. 🎖️
📚 Publications Top Notes
1. Plasma-derived exosomal survivin, a plausible biomarker for early detection of prostate cancer
Authors: S Khan, JMS Jutzy, MMA Valenzuela, D Turay, JR Aspe, A Ashok, et al.
Journal: PLOS ONE
Year: 2012
Summary:
This study investigates survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, released via exosomes in plasma and its potential as an early biomarker for prostate cancer. The authors demonstrate that survivin can be detected in plasma-derived exosomes from prostate cancer patients, suggesting that exosomal survivin could serve as a non-invasive, early detection biomarker for prostate cancer. The study highlights the significance of exosome-mediated communication in cancer progression and supports further development of survivin-based diagnostic tools.
2. Survivin is released from cancer cells via exosomes
Authors: S Khan, JMS Jutzy, JR Aspe, DW McGregor, JW Neidigh, NR Wall
Journal: Apoptosis
Year: 2011
Summary:
This publication identifies that survivin, a key protein involved in inhibiting cell death and promoting tumor survival, is actively secreted from cancer cells through exosomes. This finding reveals a novel mechanism of survivin release that may contribute to cancer cell communication, survival, and metastasis. Understanding the exosomal release of survivin opens new pathways for targeting survivin-mediated tumor progression.
3. Early diagnostic value of survivin and its alternative splice variants in breast cancer
Authors: S Khan, HF Bennit, D Turay, M Perez, S Mirshahidi, Y Yuan, NR Wall
Journal: BMC Cancer
Year: 2014
Summary:
This study evaluates survivin and its splice variants as potential early diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer. The authors explore expression patterns of survivin variants in breast cancer tissues and show that some variants correlate with early stages of the disease, making them promising candidates for early detection. The study emphasizes the importance of alternative splicing of survivin in cancer biology and its diagnostic implications.
4. Extracellular, cell-permeable survivin inhibits apoptosis while promoting proliferative and metastatic potential
Authors: S Khan, JR Aspe, MG Asumen, F Almaguel, O Odumosu, et al.
Journal: British Journal of Cancer
Year: 2009
Summary:
This research shows that extracellular survivin, which is capable of entering cells, inhibits programmed cell death and enhances cancer cell proliferation and metastatic capacity. This dual role of survivin not only promotes tumor growth but also increases metastatic potential, providing insight into how extracellular survivin contributes to cancer progression and resistance to therapy.
5. PTEN promoter is methylated in a proportion of invasive breast cancers
Authors: S Khan, T Kumagai, J Vora, N Bose, I Sehgal, PH Koeffler, S Bose
Journal: International Journal of Cancer
Year: 2004
Summary:
This study examines the methylation status of the PTEN gene promoter in invasive breast cancers and finds that a subset of these cancers shows hypermethylation leading to PTEN silencing. Since PTEN is a tumor suppressor, its inactivation through promoter methylation can contribute to breast cancer progression. The study highlights epigenetic modifications as an important mechanism in breast cancer development.
✨ Conclusion
Dr. Salma Khan’s career embodies dedication to advancing cancer biology through innovative research on survivin and exosomal pathways. Her interdisciplinary expertise bridges clinical medicine and molecular science, addressing both biological mechanisms and health equity in cancer care. As a mentor, researcher, and clinician, she continues to impact cancer diagnostics, therapeutics, and education, shaping the future of oncology research. 🚀🎓