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Get to know Hematologist-Oncologist Dr. Mohammed Najeeb Al Hallak, who serves patients in Detroit, Michigan.

A skilled hematologist-oncologist, Dr. Al Hallak is affiliated with Gastrointestinal and Neuroendocrine Oncology and the Phase I Clinical-Pharmacology Program at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan. He has profound clinical expertise in managing gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, particularly pancreatic cancer.

Karmanos Cancer Institute specializes in providing cancer care that patients cannot get anywhere else. It is one of just 51 cancer centers throughout the country designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This prestigious designation means patients can access treatments exclusive to the center including clinical trials, cancer prevention programs and multidisciplinary teams of cancer specialists.

With a broad educational background, Dr. Al Hallak graduated with his medical degree from the University of Aleppo Faculty of Medicine in Syria. After relocating to the United States, he completed his residency at the University of North Dakota, and his fellowship at the Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Subsequent to his education, the doctor attained board certification in hematology, medical oncology, and internal medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). The ABIM is a physician-led, non-profit, independent evaluation organization driven by doctors who want to achieve higher standards for better care in a rapidly changing world.

Among his professional affiliations, he is an active member of the American Society of Hematology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Association of Cancer Research.

As for his academic appointment, Dr. Al Hallak serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Oncology at the Wayne State University School of Medicine

An enthusiastic researcher, the goal of his research is to better understand the molecular biology and microenvironment of GI cancers, discover new treatments and prevent treatment-induced toxicities. He is able to translate passion for improving treatment outcomes for GI cancer patients via conducting clinical trials (phase I-III), investigator-initiated and pharma-sponsored.

The doctor works through translational research to identify new biomarkers that help to individualize the treatment choice for patients and provide them with an accurate prediction of the treatment effect as well as a prognosis of their cancer. He is leading the initiative to start a postmortem rapid autopsy program for pancreatic cancer patients in Detroit.

Additionally, Dr. Al Hallak is a co-principal investigator on the Translational Pilot Trial to study the role of different microRNAs in predicting response and resistance to Gemcitabine and Nab-Paclitaxel when used as first-line therapy for metastatic or locally advanced unresectable Pancreatic cancer patients. He is also a co-leader for the Phase II Clinical Trial to study the effect of adding XPO1 inhibitor (Selinexor) to Gemcitabine as a second-line treatment for patients with metastatic or locally advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer patients after non-Gemcitabine regimen failure.

Hematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. A hematologist-oncologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancer, malignant blood diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, and blood disorders such as iron-deficiency anemia, clotting abnormalities, hemophilia, and sickle-cell disease.

Among his most notable achievements, Dr. Al Hallak has been the recipient of the Awesome Job Award (2016), Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (2013), and Excellence in Research Award (2011).

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