Abdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef

Dr. Abdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

5Years (2022-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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9 August 2023 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AAAbdulhameed Alfagih
Abdulhameed Alfagih
AAAbdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
Abdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
NANasser Alqahtani
Nasser Alqahtani
Michael VickersMichael Vickers
Michael Vickers
RGRachel Goodwin
Rachel Goodwin
Timothy AsmisTimothy Asmis
Timothy Asmis
(1) Aim: The prevalence and incidence of small bowel NETs have increased significantly over the past two decades. This study aims to report the 10-year experience of SB-NET management at a regional cancer center in Canada. (2) Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study of the clinical and pathological data of patients diagnosed with biopsy-proven SB-NET at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH), Ottawa, Canada between 2011 and 2021. We report the clinicopathological characteristics of these patients, as well as their outcomes data, including survival rates. (3) Results: Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 177 SB-NET cases were identified with 51% (n = 91) of cases being males. The most common sites of the tumors were the ileum 53% (n = 94), followed by the duodenum 9% (n = 16) and jejunum 7% (n = 12). Approximately 24% (n = 42) of the patients had symptoms for over six months prior to diagnosis and 18% (n = 32) had functioning SB-NET during the course of the disease. The majority of patients had locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of presentation with stage III, and stage IV representing 42% (n = 75), and 41% (n = 73) respectively. The majority of patients 84% (n = 148) had well-differentiated histology. One hundred twenty patients underwent surgical resection of the primary tumor including 28 patients (16%) with limited metastatic disease. A total of 21 patients (18%) had recurrence after curative surgery. A total of 62 patients (35%) received first-line somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy for unresectable disease and seven patients had PRRT after progression on SSA. Five years OS was 100%, 91%, 97%, and 73% for stages I, II, III, and IV respectively. In univariate analysis, carcinoid symptoms, T stage, and differentiation were significant predictors for worse overall survival, but not RFS. (4) Conclusions: Compared to published historical controls, our study suggests improvement in the 5-year survival rate of SB-NETs over the last 10 years.

29 September 2022 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
AAAbdulhameed Alfagih
Abdulhameed Alfagih
AAAbdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
Abdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
BABader Alshamsan
Bader Alshamsan
NANasser Alqahtani
Nasser Alqahtani
Timothy AsmisTimothy Asmis
Timothy Asmis
(1) Background: The management of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) has significantly evolved over the last two decades, with the introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). We aim to report 10 years of experience of GIST management at a regional cancer center in Canada. (2) Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 248 consecutive patients diagnosed with GIST between 2011 and 2021. We describe the clinical and pathological data, management, and outcome, including survival. (3) Results: The most common GIST sites were the stomach 63% (156), followed by the small bowel 29% (73). At diagnosis, 83% (206) of patients had localized disease (stage I–III). According to the modified National Institutes of Health consensus criteria (NIH) for GIST, around 45% (90) had intermediate or high-risk disease. Most patients, 86% (213), underwent curative surgical resection. Forty-nine patients received adjuvant imatinib, while forty-three patients had advanced disease and received at least one line of TKI. With a median follow-up of 47 months, the 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates for very low and low risk were 100% and 94%, respectively, while those for intermediate and high risk were 84% and 51%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for very low and low risk were 100% and 94%, while intermediate, high risk, and advanced were 91%, 88%, and 65%, respectively. Using the Kaplan–Meier method, there were statistically significant differences in RFS and OS between NIH risk groups, p < 0.0005. In univariate analysis, ECOG, site, mitosis, secondary malignancy, and size were predictors for OS. High mitosis and large size (>5 cm) were associated with worse RFS. (4) Conclusions: Curative surgical resection remains the gold standard management of GIST. Our results are comparable to the reported literature. Further research is needed to explore histology’s role in risk stratification and initiating adjuvant TKI.

30 December 2025 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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RARola Ali
Rola Ali
EMEiman M.A. Mohammed
Eiman M.A. Mohammed
Amir A AhmedAmir A Ahmed
Amir A Ahmed
AAAhmad Alsaber
Ahmad Alsaber
HAHind S. Al-Otaibi
Hind S. Al-Otaibi
AAAbdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
Abdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare, aggressive small round cell sarcoma (SRCS) that peaks in adolescence. Given its rarity, atypical age or site presentations increase the risk of misclassification. This study examines age-related clinicopathological patterns in molecularly confirmed canonical ES (FET::ETS-fused). Methods: Between 2016 and 2025, 90 tumors diagnosed as ES or Ewing-like SRCSs underwent targeted RNA sequencing and/or EWSR1 break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridization. Patients were stratified into three age groups: 0–18, 19–39, and ≥40 years. Clinical, anatomical, pathological, molecular, and treatment/outcome variables were compared across strata. Results: Canonical ES accounted for 84% (76/90) of SRCSs, dominated by EWSR1::FLI1 (89%). ES comprised 91% of SRCSs in children but declined to 75% in older adults. Tumors arose mainly in bone (63%), with a significant age association (p = 0.016): children and young adults were primarily skeletal (73% and 62%), whereas older adults were predominantly extraskeletal (78%). Renal ES clustered in adults ≥40 years (p = 0.003). Classic histology predominated; atypical patterns were more common in extraskeletal tumors but lacked age specificity. Ewing-like SRCSs (n = 14), with heterogeneous or absent fusions, displayed a broader age distribution—including infants and older adults—and a marked extraskeletal predominance (86%, p = 0.001). Metastatic presentation strongly predicted inferior survival (p = 0.025). Treatment was multimodal, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy more frequent in children (90%, p = 0.029). Conclusions: Age significantly influences anatomic presentation and certain treatment choices in ES, whereas histology and survival remain broadly similar across groups. Age-linked extraskeletal trends reinforce the importance of routine molecular testing, particularly in underreported Middle Eastern populations.

1 August 2025 in Journal of Immunotherapy and Precision Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AAAbdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
Abdulaziz AlJassim AlShareef
AKAladdin Kanbour
Aladdin Kanbour
FAFathi Azribi
Fathi Azribi
MAMuath AlNassar
Muath AlNassar
RMRiadh Mohsen
Riadh Mohsen
EAEmad Anwar
Emad Anwar
Over the past decade, the discovery of immunotherapy and targeted therapy has set new standards for the management of advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to investigate the prevalence of ALK , EGFR , KRAS , ROS1 , MET , BRAF , and HER2 mutations in patients with NSCLC within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and to assess the current state of molecular testing and targeted treatments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google searches to identify studies on the prevalence of ALK , EGFR , KRAS , ROS1 , MET , BRAF , and HER2 mutations in patients with NSCLC in the MENA region. Additionally, 10 experts from the GCC region were interviewed to provide insights into molecular mutation testing, the challenges faced, and the current approaches to targeted therapies. The prevalence of ALK , EGFR , KRAS , ROS1 , MET , and BRAF mutations was 7.9% (95% CI, 6.69–9.03%), 24% (95% CI, 22.05–25.41%), 19.7% (95% CI, 15.29–24.07%), 2.2% (95% CI, 0.77–3.57%), 4.7% (95% CI, 2.29–7.07%) and 3.7% (95% CI, 1.54–5.80%), respectively. HER2 mutation data were unavailable. Treatment generally adhered to international guidelines, with therapy selection based on tumor stage, molecular profile, and drug availability. Expert opinions highlighted significant advancements in molecular diagnostics and targeted therapies but also pointed out the challenges in standardizing and implementing these techniques across the GCC region. This review underscores the importance of personalized and region-specific approaches to NSCLC treatment, given the significant differences in mutation patterns in the MENA region. Further research is needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and effect of driver mutations across broader MENA countries to inform future treatment strategies.