Rasoul Pourebrahim, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine
About Dr. Rasoul Pourebrahimabadi
Dr. Pourebrahim studies the genetic events underlying the development of p53 mutant acute myeloid leukemia. He has engineered unique preclinical models including a p53 mutant leukemia mouse model, which offers a unique platform for investigating how mutations in p53 drive resistance to therapy, and how immunosuppressive microenvironment contributes to the drug resistance in p53 mutant leukemia. His hope is to better understand the pathophysiology of resistance to therapy in order to improve clinical practice both in terms of overcoming de novo resistance to current anti-leukemic therapies as well as identifying new targets in p53 mutant leukemia.
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Instructor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | Katholic University of Leuven (KUL), Leuven, BEL, PHD, Genetics |
| 1997 | Isfahan Univeristy of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IRN, MD, Medicine |
Experience & Service
Academic Appointments
Clinical Research Scientist, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 2002 - 2005
Other Appointments/Responsibilities
Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2013 - 2017
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Pourebrahim R, Zhang Y, Liu B, Gao R, Xiong S, Lin PP, McArthur MJ, Ostrowski MC, Lozano G. Integrative genome analysis of somatic p53 mutant osteosarcomas identifies Ets2-dependent regulation of small nucleolar RNAs by mutant p53 protein. Genes Dev 31(18):1847-1857, 2017. e-Pub 2017. PMID: 29021240.
- Laskowski TJ, Van Caeneghem Y, Pourebrahim R, Ma C, Ni Z, Garate Z, Crane AM, Li XS, Liao W, Gonzalez-Garay M, Segovia JC, Paschon DE, Rebar EJ, Holmes MC, Kaufman D, Vandekerckhove B, Davis BR. Gene Correction of iPSCs from a Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Patient Normalizes the Lymphoid Developmental and Functional Defects. Stem Cell Reports 7(2):139-48, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 27396937.
- Pourebrahim R, Houtmeyers R, Ghogomu S, Janssens S, Thelie A, Tran HT, Langenberg T, Vleminckx K, Bellefroid E, Cassiman JJ, Tejpar S. Transcription factor Zic2 inhibits Wnt/β-catenin protein signaling. J Biol Chem 286(43):37732-40, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21908606.
- Pourebrahim R, Van Dam K, Bauters M, De Wever I, Sciot R, Cassiman JJ, Tejpar S. ZIC1 gene expression is controlled by DNA and histone methylation in mesenchymal proliferations. FEBS Lett 581(26):5122-6, 2007. e-Pub 2007. PMID: 17936758.
- Larijani B, Fakhrzadeh H, Hamidi A, Heshmat R, Pourebrahim R. Household cardiovascular health education. A school-based approach. Saudi Med J 28(4):643-5, 2007. PMID: 17457499.
- Hamidi A, Fakhrzadeh H, Moayyeri A, Pourebrahim R, Heshmat R, Noori M, Rezaeikhah Y, Larijani B. Obesity and associated cardiovascular risk factors in Iranian children: a cross-sectional study. Pediatr Int 48(6):566-71, 2006. PMID: 17168975.
- Pourebrahim R, Fakhrzadeh H, Bandarian F, Tabatabaie O, Noori M, Djalilpour F, Zahedi F, Rahimi I, Heshmat R, Djavadi E, Ghotbi S, Larijani B. Household cardiovascular screening of high-risk families: a school-based study. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 13(2):229-35, 2006. PMID: 16575277.
- Fakhrzadeh H, Ghotbi S, Pourebrahim R, Nouri M, Heshmat R, Bandarian F, Shafaee A, Larijani B. Total plasma homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 status in healthy Iranian adults: the Tehran homocysteine survey (2003-2004)/a cross-sectional population based study. BMC Public Health 6:29, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16472406.
- Ebrahimpour P, Fakhrzadeh H, Pourebrahim R, Hamidi A, Larijani B. Metabolic syndrome and related insulin levels in obese children. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 4(3):172-8, 2006. PMID: 18370735.
- Fakhrzadeh H, Ebrahimpour P, Pourebrahim R, Heshmat R, Larijani B. Metabolic Syndrome and its Associated Risk Factors in Healthy Adults: A Population-Based Study in Iran. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 4(1):28-34, 2006. PMID: 18370767.
- Fakhrzadeh H, Ghotbi S, Pourebrahim R, Heshmat R, Nouri M, Shafaee A, Larijani B. Plasma homocysteine concentration and blood pressure in healthy Iranian adults: the Tehran Homocysteine Survey (2003-2004). J Hum Hypertens 19(11):869-76, 2005. PMID: 16049520.
- Larijani B, Fakhrzadeh H, Mohaghegh M, Pourebrahim R, Akhlaghi MR. Burden of coronary heart disease on the Iranian oil industry (1999-2000). East Mediterr Health J 9(5-6):904-10, 2003. PMID: 16450520.
Abstracts
- Pourebrahim R, Luong A, Ostermann L, Montoya RH, Alaniz Z, Ruvolo P, Kornblau S, Khouri J, Bueso-Ramos CE and Andreeff M.. p53 Mediated Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Expansion Supports Acute Myeloid Leukemia Development (Oral Presentation). Blood 134, 2019.
- Pourebrahim R, Ruvolo PP, Kornblau SM, Bueso-Ramos CE, Andreeff M. Genetic Dissection of p53 Driven Senescence of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Blood 132(Sup 1), 2018.
Grant & Contract Support
| Title: | The role of Mdm2/p53 pathway in endosteal niche in normal hematopoiesis and leukemia |
| Funding Source: | Mike Hogg Fund |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |
| Title: | Targeting Minimal Residual Disease and Stem-like Cells in High Risk AML |
| Funding Source: | MDACC Moonshot Program |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Immunosuppressed Microenvironment |
| Funding Source: | Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) |
| Role: | Co-Investigator |
| Title: | Understanding the protective mechanism of the bone marrow microenvironment as a sanctuary for MRD |
| Funding Source: | UTMDACC Leukemia SPORE Career Enhancement Program |
| Role: | Principal Investigator |