The University of Sheffield
The School of Clinical Dentistry

Dr. Syed Ali Khurram- BDS, MSc., PhD., MFDS-RCS(Ed)


NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology / Honorary Specialist Registrar

Email: s.a.khurram@sheffield.ac.uk

Biography

I was appointed as a NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and honorary Specialist Registrar in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology at the University of Sheffield in August 2011. I undertook my PhD at the Dental School in Sheffield as well and successfully completed it in March 2008. Since then I have worked as a Senior House Officer in Oral Medicine/Pathology at Cardiff Dental School and Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in addition to two years with the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Research Interests

My main research interest is in the interaction of chemokine receptors and their ligands in the pathogenesis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC). During my Masters and PhD., I have studied the expression and role of various receptors including CXCR4 (receptor for CXCL12/SDF-1alpha), CXCR1 and CXCR2 (receptors for CXCL8/IL8) and XCR1 (receptor for XCL1/lymphotactin). My PhD findings showed the expression of the XCR1 receptor outside the immune system and on epithelial cells for the first time where it facilitated cancer cell signalling, migration, invasion, proliferation in addition to stimulating adhesion to ECM components and release of Matrix Metalloproteinases. I am also currently looking at the role of XCR1 and lymphotactin interaction in OSCC metastasis and involved in a study to design an antagonist for XCR1 in liaison with the Chemical Engineering department.

My main clinical research interests are studying extracapsular spread in OSCC as it reduces the 5-year patient survival by 80-85%. In addition, I have also been working on a collaborative project with Prof. Sheila MacNeil and Dr. Anthony Bullock (Kroto Institute) to design and test a method for reducing postoperative salivary leakage in Head and Neck Cancer Resection patients. This is a common problem leading to fistula formation, wound breakdown and infection and I personally saw numerous such patients whilst I was working with the Maxillofacial Surgery department.


Information for Prospective PhD Students

I am currently working on a number of possible PhD projects and enquiries from prospective students are welcome.


Teaching

I am involved in undergraduate BDS teaching and undertake numerous lectures, practicals, symposia and case based discussions. In addition, I also assist with postgraduate MMedSci. Oral Pathology teaching.


Publications (including In Press where indicated)

Solitary myofibroma of the adult mandible.
Brierley DJ, Khurram SA, Speight PM. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2012 Sep 27. pii: S2212-4403(12)00394-X. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2012.05.012. [Epub ahead of print]

IgG4-related sclerosing disease clinically mimicking oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Khurram SA, Fernando M, Smith AT, Hunter KD. . Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod, In Press.

Plate-guided distraction osteogenesis to re-create two thirds of the mandible including the symphysis.
Mohammed-Ali RI, Henry AM, Khurram SA, Yousefpour A. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, In Press.

Crystal storing histiocytosis of the tongue as the initial presentation of multiple myeloma.
Khurram SA, McPhaden A, Hislop WS, Hunter KD. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2011; 111(4):494-6].

Use of an innovative tracheostomy mask to prevent external compression of vascular pedicle and excessive humidification of neck wound.
Khurram SA, Smith AT, Yousefpour A, Mohammed-Ali RI. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2011;49(6):e44-6. Epub 2011 Feb 24.

A multidisciplinary approach to management of extensive facial injuries resulting from the use of an angle grinder.
Khurram SA, Yates JM, Smith KG, Atkins S. [Injury Extra 2011; 42(7):75-78].

Vacuum-assisted dressing for promoting granulation over the dura.
Mohammed-Ali RI, Khurram SA, Nahabedian V, Smith AT. British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 2012;50(1):88-9. Epub 2010 Dec 9.

The chemokine receptor XCR1 regulates oral epithelial cell behaviour.
Khurram SA, Whawell SA, Bingle L, Murdoch CM, Farthing PM. Published in The Journal of Pathology [J Pathol. 2010;221(2):153-63].


Completed MSc students- Research project components:


• Najla Emhmmad (2012)- Histological intranodal features in extracapsular spread.