Sidra Medicine Honoured with Award-Winning Imaging Achievement

BRIO-8 Award highlights hope and transformative advancements in personalized cancer care for children with Neuroblastoma

12 February 2025, Doha, Qatar – Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, was recently honored with the BRIO-8 Award¹ from Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council. BRIO, which stands for ‘Best Representative Image of an Outcome’ is a competition that provides a bridge between art and science to showcase stimulating images that represent outcomes of QRDI funded research.

The BRIO-8 award recognized the Advanced Imaging Core at Sidra Medicine for its outstanding imaging and for advancing findings in pediatric cancer research. The winning image, titled ‘The Guardians of Hope’, features a Neuroblastoma patient sample from an ongoing QDRI-funded study. The Neuroblastoma study reflects Sidra Medicine’s commitment to offering personalized cancer treatments for pediatric patients in Qatar.  

Dr. Abbirami Sathappan, Lead of the Advanced Imaging Core Facility, said: “We chose to submit this image because we felt it truly encapsulates hope. While the vibrant colors seem artistic and captivating, it also highlights the harsh reality of Neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood tumour. For patient families, such a diagnosis can feel overwhelming and scary. And brings the question, how can they find hope?”

“The answer lies in the remarkable resilience of the immune system. In the image, the tumor cells are green. Yet, interwoven amongst these cells are what we believe are the true guardians of hope—our immune cells, which are seen in red and yellow. These are the body’s natural defenders, and with the power of multimodal therapies, including immunotherapy, they can be armed to recognize, target, and fight this relentless disease. Even in the midst of this cellular battleground, hope shines through. With advancements in cancer immunotherapy, we continue to move closer to empowering these guardians, turning the tide in the fight against Neuroblastoma,” continued Dr. Sathappan.

Sidra Medicine’s oncology research program is under its Pediatric Precision Oncology Initiative, which leverages research, including whole genome sequencing, to personalize cancer care for each of its young patients. The initiative includes researchers, oncology and hematology physicians, anatomical pathologists and neurosurgeons. By tailoring therapies to children’s unique genetic and molecular profiles, the initiative aims to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing adverse effects. 

Dr. Wouter Hendrickx, Principal Investigator of the Laboratory of Pediatric Cancer Omics, said: “This award-winning BRIO-8 image symbolizes the powerful fusion of clinical and research expertise, a collaboration that drives our commitment to transforming pediatric oncology. We are dedicated to pioneering new approaches that improve treatment and outcomes for young patients, setting a new standard in personalized pediatric cancer care.  Sharing this in the lead up to International Childhood Cancer Day which annually falls on 15 February is timely, as it highlights our advancements in the field of pediatric oncology research and reinforces our commitment to innovation in the field and how we customize our research and care for children fighting cancer.”

The QRDI-funded Neuroblastoma study team also includes Dr. Erdener Ozer, Division Chief of Anatomical Pathology, and Farhia Abdullahi Ali, Lab Assistant at the Advanced Imaging Core Facility. The study consists of two papers, which are set to be published later this year and in 2026. 

Sidra Medicine’s Advanced Imaging Core Facility plays a vital role in supporting its Pediatric Precision Oncology Initiative, providing state-of-the-art imaging solutions for diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and translational research. From high-resolution microscopy for tumor characterization to advanced spatial proteomics for precision medicine, its imaging technologies empower clinicians and researchers with data-driven insights to improve patient outcomes.

The Initiative has established critical resources, including the Qatar Pediatric Cancer Registry and the Sidra Pediatric Cancer Biorepository, to support innovative research and clinical applications. To view the Pediatric Oncology 2023 report, please click here.