As Chief of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center, Medical Director of the Cockrell Center for Advanced Therapeutics (CCAT) Phase I Program, and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, Dr. Abdelrahim is leading efforts to shape the strategic direction of GI and transplant oncology. He integrates cutting-edge clinical trials with patient-centered care to drive transformative outcomes. Under his leadership, CCAT has established a robust pipeline for early-phase clinical trials, including novel CAR T cell therapies for gastrointestinal cancers such as cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and colorectal cancer (CRC). He oversees the design, scientific review, and execution of these trials while fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation across oncology and research teams.

Dr. Abdelrahim played a significant role at the inaugural International Transplant Oncology Conference  in Rotterdam and spearheaded subsequent North American and global conferences. These initiatives have advanced transdisciplinary guidelines for liver cancer and fostered worldwide collaboration. As lead principal investigator, he secured major funding for North America’s first trial of using immunotherapy in pre-liver transplantation for  patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond Milan criteria, alongside trials exploring Lenvima and TACE for large HCC. His translational research has identified novel compounds, including tolfenamic acid, now in Phase I trials for pancreatic cancer, with a patent application for its use in gastrointestinal cancers. Dr. Abdelrahim was the first to demonstrate Sp1,4 protein overexpression in gastrointestinal cancers, reshaping therapeutic approaches.

Dr. Abdelrahim has driven innovative research in CAR T cell therapy for CCA and CRC, targeting tumor-specific antigens to enhance efficacy and survival outcomes. His leadership in this field complements a broader immunotherapy portfolio focused on addressing unmet needs in aggressive gastrointestinal malignancies. With over 300 publications in high-impact journals, he serves as Editor-in-Chief of Transplant Oncology at Cancers and he is the editor of the first book in Transplant Oncology titled Transplant Oncology: A Frontier in Multidisciplinary Cancer Care. He is an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, European Society for Medical Oncology, and International Liver Transplant Society. As Site Principal Investigator for the Southwest Oncology Cooperative Group, he aligns research with institutional priorities, supporting Houston Methodist’s pursuit of NCI designation.

Dr. Abdelrahim earned his PharmD, followed by a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, and subsequently an MD from Texas A&M University. He completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine and a fellowship in Medical Oncology at Duke University. His success in securing substantial federal, industry, and philanthropic funding has propelled research on checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T cell therapies, and combination treatments for Gastrointestinal cancers , significantly enhancing Houston Methodist’s research portfolio.

• CAR T cell therapy for Gastrointestinal cancers (cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer)
• Targeted therapy in Gastrointestinal cancers
• Transplant oncology
• Immunotherapy

Dr. Abdelrahim bridges laboratory discoveries and clinical applications with a focus on novel therapies for GI cancers, particularly CAR T cell therapy for CCA and CRC, and HCC. His leadership in trial design, resource allocation, and investigator recruitment equips him to oversee the Cancer Center’s Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee, ensuring scientific rigor and inclusivity in research. Committed to ICARE values, he fosters collaboration, mentorship, and innovation, having developed training programs to empower physician-scientists. Dr. Abdelrahim’s vision aligns with Houston Methodist’s mission to advance clinical excellence, pioneering research, and academic leadership, positioning him to be deeply involved at the Neal Cancer Center toward transformative cancer care.