Publications & metrics.

CDK Inhibition in Lung Cancer Alters Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition, Autophagy, and Metabolism

A Alsayyid, R Ghemrawi, N Sammani, et al

Current Cancer Drug Targets, 2026

Introducing AutoML framework for drug–drug interaction prediction: application of AutoGluon

A Abou Hajal, M Sakkal

We use AutoGluon to predict drug-drug interactions and show that automated model search with molecular fingerprints can match handcrafted pipelines while staying simple to reproduce.

Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 2026

Mapping metabolic reprogramming in lung and breast cancer through integrative bioinformatics

N Al-Damook, M Sakkal, M Khair, et al

PLoS ONE, 2026

Public perceptions of AI-assisted cancer care in Abu Dhabi, UAE: A cross-sectional survey

R Ghemrawi, M Sakkal, K Kayed, et al

Cross-sectional survey of public perceptions of AI-assisted cancer care in Abu Dhabi. Reports attitudes, trust gaps, and the demographic patterns that shape adoption.

Supportive Care in Cancer, 2026

Targeting Cancer Through Thymoquinone: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Prospects

N Al-Damook, M Sakkal, M Khair, et al

Review of thymoquinone as a targeted cancer therapy. Walks through molecular mechanisms and the clinical prospects that depend on solving the formulation problem.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2025

Inhalable nanoparticle-based drug delivery system for non-small cell lung cancer therapy: promises and challenges

M Sakkal, R W. A. Abdelmoteleb, A Ali, et al

First-author review of inhalable nanoparticle-based drug delivery for non-small cell lung cancer. Maps the design choices that improve targeting and the translational gaps still in the way.

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2025

Machine learning predictions of tumor progression: How reliable are we?

M Sakkal, A Abou Hajal

A methodological audit of tumour-progression ML papers, showing how weak validation choices inflate apparent performance and what an honest benchmark would look like in oncology.

Computers in Biology and Medicine, 2025

Synergistic Modulation of ER Stress and Insulin Potentiation Therapy for Enhanced Cancer Treatment

N Al-Damook, M Sakkal, S Kremesh, et al

Synergistic modulation of ER stress combined with insulin potentiation therapy for enhanced cancer treatment. Reports a combination strategy validated across cancer cell lines.

Cell Therapy & Engineering Connect, 2025

Large language models in drug delivery: A review of the current landscape and future perspectives

M Sakkal, A Abou Hajal

First-author review of large language models in drug delivery. Covers what LLM-powered tools currently do for formulation and what would have to be true before they replace manual triage.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025

Spatially resolved airway niches: mapping epithelial–immune microenvironments in asthma

M Sakkal, A S. Jarab, A Z. Al Meslamani

First-author work on spatially resolved airway niches in asthma, mapping epithelial-immune microenvironments that shape disease heterogeneity.

Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine, 2025

The Discovery of Small ERK5 Inhibitors via Structure-Based Virtual Screening, Biological Evaluation and MD Simulations

N Atatreh, R E. Mahgoub, R Ghemrawi, et al

Discovery of small ERK5 inhibitors through structure-based virtual screening, biological evaluation, and MD simulations. Reports candidates that survived in-vitro validation.

Molecules, 2025

Nanomedicines: Emerging Platforms in Smart Chemotherapy Treatment—A Recent Review

M Arafat, M Sakkal, R Beiram, et al

A landscape review of nanomedicine platforms used in smart chemotherapy. Maps how surface chemistry, stimulus-responsive carriers, and combination approaches are being used to lower off-target toxicity.

Pharmaceuticals, 2024

Preparation and Characterization of Theophylline Controlled Release Matrix System Incorporating Poloxamer 407, Stearyl Alcohol, and Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose: A Novel Formulation and Development Study

M Sakkal, M Arafat, P Yuvaraju, et al

First-author work on a theophylline controlled-release matrix system combining poloxamer 407, stearyl alcohol, and HPMC. Reports a formulation that survives multi-batch dissolution-profile testing.

Polymers, 2024

Effect of Hydration Forms and Polymer Grades on Theophylline Controlled-Release Tablet: An Assessment and Evaluation

M Sakkal, M Arafat, P Yuvaraju, et al

First-author follow-up on theophylline controlled-release tablets. Examines how hydration forms and polymer grades change release kinetics and how to control for them in formulation work.

Pharmaceuticals, 2024

Effect of Excipients on the Quality of Drug Formulation and Immediate Release of Generic Metformin HCl Tablets

M Arafat, M Sakkal, P Yuvaraju, et al

We show how excipient choice changes the immediate-release profile of generic metformin HCl tablets, with practical implications for formulation re-validation.

Pharmaceuticals, 2023

Enteric-coating film effect on the delayed drug release of pantoprazole gastro-resistant generic tablets

M Arafat, M Sakkal, M F. Bostanudin, et al

Effect of enteric-coating film on the delayed release of pantoprazole gastro-resistant generic tablets. Walks through the formulation choices that survived re-validation across batches.

F1000Research, 2023

Chemical Composition of the Volatile Oil from Aerial Parts ofRosmarinus officinalisL. Growing in UAE

M Hudaib, A F. Abu Hajal, M M. Sakkal

GC-MS characterisation of UAE-grown rosemary essential oil. Reports the major-constituent profile and contrasts it with regional sources.

Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 2022