Monther Alalwan

Dr. Monther Alalwan is a Senior Scientist dedicated to elucidating the complex biology of breast cancer, with a particular focus on drug resistance and metastasis, the two major challenges in effective cancer treatment. His research focuses on dissecting the molecular and cellular mechanisms that allow breast cancer cells to evade therapies and disseminate to distant organs, with the goal of identifying drivers of disease progression and treatment failure.

A key goal of his work is to identify novel therapeutic targets that can disrupt these processes. Through integrative approaches combining molecular biology, genomics, and advanced drug screening techniques, he strives to develop and evaluate new therapeutic strategies that are more effective and personalized. This includes the design and testing of innovative drugs and combination therapies aimed at overcoming resistance and preventing metastatic spread.

Ultimately, his research is driven by the translation of fundamental these discoveries into clinically actionable solutions that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Cancer biology

Biomarker discovery

Therapy resistance and metastasis

Tumour immunology

Translational research

Dr. Monther Alalwan is a Senior Scientist in Innovation & Research at KFSHRC and an Adjunct professor at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He earned his MSc and PhD in Immunology from Dalhousie University, Canada and completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Manitoba, where he investigated immune cell signaling. During his training, he made substantial contributions in the immunology field, including a landmark discovery highlighting the role of dendritic cells in the immunological synapse.

Since joining KFSHRC in 2007, his research has focused on cancer biology, identifying novel mechanisms regulating metastasis and chemoresistance. His current work investigates cancer stem cell signaling, therapeutic resistance and mammary gland development using knockout mouse models. Dr. Alalwan has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications, delivered several invited lectures, and serves an associate editor and reviewer for various international scientific journals.