Nafis Rahman
MD, PhD
nafrah@utu.fi +358 29 450 4637 +358 50 477 3022 Kiinamyllynkatu 10 Turku Office: C505A ORCID identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5257-870X |
endocrine-related cancer; gonadotropins; hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis; ardenocortical tumours; novel treatment strategies
Docent of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland (2005) & Docent of Medicine, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland (2016); Doctor of Medical Sciences (Ph.D.), Medical University of Lodz, Poland (1995); Specialization in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland (1995); Licentiate in Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Poland (1991)
Working at the University of Turku: from 1996 -
Postdoctoral training: Prof Ilpo Huhtaniemi group 1996 - 1998
Visiting professorships Current: Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; Former: FIU College of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
Editor in chief from 2016 https://www.journals.elsevier.com/reproductive-biology/
Our study the underlying molecular mechanisms of hormonally regulated cancers (i.e. prostate, ovarian, testicular and adrenocortical), search for their novel biomarkers and treatment. We recently tested the potential of tumor specific zona pellucida antigen-3 immunization to enhance therapeutic effects in several hormonally regulated cancers. We have used successfully conjugated lytic peptides to eradicate only cancer cells through their specific gonadotropin receptors (such as lhcgr). We use transgenic murine endocrine cancer metastatic disease models and immortalized cell lines to test the feasibility of novel treatment strategies starting at cellular, in vivo in TG mice and finally aim for human clinical trials.
Teach at the University of Turku, Faculty of Medicine, medical curriculum students: Physiology, Endocrinology, reproductive Endocrinology; Reproductive Biology courses
Received the teacher of the year award (Vuoden Opettaja) in 2005 from the Student Union & Rector of the University of Turku.
- Progesterone and selective progesterone receptor modulator regulate tumor-associated fibroblasts in uterine leiomyomas (2026)
- Genes & diseases
(B1 Other refereed article (e.g., editorial, letter, comment) in a scientific journal) - CD8+T cell-derived CD40L mediates noncanonical cytotoxicity in CD40-expressing cancer cells (2025)
- Science Advances
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - CircSMEK1 Suppresses HCC via the hnRNPK‐IGF2‐AKT Axis: A Diagnostic Biomarker and Therapeutic TargetFunctional evidence for two distinct mechanisms of action of progesterone and selective progesterone receptor modulator on uterine leiomyomas (2025)
- Advanced ScienceFertility and Sterility
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Circular RNA CLASP1 modulates the GLI1/SNAIL axis and enhances macrophage polarization in breast cancerNovel ectopic expression of zona pellucida 3 glycoprotein in lung cancer promotes tumor growth (2025)
- OncogeneInternational Journal of Cancer
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Comment on “Atlas of Fshr Expression From Novel Reporter Mice” (2025)
- EndocrinologyAdvances in Medical Sciences
(B1 Non-refereed article in a scientific journal) - Dlk1 is a novel adrenocortical stem/progenitor cell marker that predicts malignancy in adrenocortical carcinoma (2025)
- Cancer CommunicationsMolecular Medicine
(B1 Non-refereed article in a scientific journal) - Hecate-FSHβ33-53C/S lytic peptide conjugate selectively kills targeted follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)-positive cancer cells (2025)
- Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Liquid-liquid phase separation of ATXN2L enhances mRNA translation in hepatocellular carcinomaA novel polypeptide encoded by the circular RNA ZKSCAN1 suppresses HCC via degradation of mTOR (2025)
- Cell ReportsMolecular Cancer
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - miR-423-3p inhibits CTNNBIP1/WNT preventing hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome (2025)
- Biology of ReproductionCancers
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Targeted destruction of follicle stimulating hormone receptor-positive cancer cells in vitro and in vivo by a lytic peptide Phor21-FSHβ conjugate (2025)
- Molecular Medicine
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - (2024)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - 2024
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Progesterone signaling in uterine leiomyoma biology : Implications for potential targeted therapy (2024)
(A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal ) - Revisiting the follicle-stimulation hormone receptor expression and function in human myometrium and adipose tissue (2024)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - A novel polypeptide CAPG-171aa encoded by circCAPG plays a critical role in triple-negative breast cancer (2023)
- Molecular Cancer
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - (2023)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - New Insights on the Progesterone (P4) and PGRMC1/NENF Complex Interactions in Colorectal Cancer Progression (2023)
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Role and mechanism of miR-335-5p in the pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (2023)
- Translational Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - The molecular mechanism of miR-96-5p in the pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (2023)
- Translational Research
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal) - Congenital Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism Alters Adrenal Gene Expression, Development, and Function (2022)
- Thyroid
(A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal)



