Mohamed Bouattour

Mohamed-Bouattour
Name
Mohamed Bouattour
Organization
Beaujon Hospital
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I am born in Tunisia 45 years ago and moved in France at my 26 years old. I am board certified in Gastroenterology-Hepatology and Medical Oncology. I am currently serving as the responsible of the Liver Oncology Unit at Beaujon University Hospital, holding this position since November 2007. This Unit aims to improve the management of patients with liver cancers (including hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary tract cancers, and rare liver tumors) and to offer them all validated treatment approaches and enrollment in clinical trials. I acquired my expertise in the field of the liver tumors during these years, and I am implicated in several preclinical and clinical researches regarding these topics. I work in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary skilled team including, liver surgeons, radiologists, oncologists, hepatologists and pathologists, to improve the management of patients with liver cancers. I am an investigator and sub investigator for several phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials for patients with primary liver cancers. I am a member of several national and international societies such as AASLD, EASL, ILCA and ASCO.
Personally, I am married with a pretty oncologist; we have a very nice boy, waiting for a happy event when my beauty girl comes in this world. We love travelling, sharing cooking and meeting other cultures.
Can you share one or two of your specific research interests?
I am especially involved and interested in management of primary liver cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma, biliary tract cancers and rare liver tumors) with a dedicated Unit only to manage these diseases. I am interested in new drugs and treatments development including (systemic treatment, genetic aberration - based medicine, personalized medicine…) as well as devices advances for treatment of primary liver cancers. Our group tries also to identify biomarkers of response and resistance to systemic treatments and involved in basic and clinical researches.
Why did you decide to specialize in hepatobiliary cancers?
I was a young investigator in 2010, when I met a wonderful multidisciplinary group in Beaujon Hospital. The majority of radiologist, pathologist, oncologist and surgeons were very interested in primary liver cancer and they work a lot to improve diagnosis management and care of patients with these disease. Many of them have a very long experience in this field, involved in many impacting works and papers. They transmit me their passion of these diseases.
Can you describe one of the unforgettable moments in your patients care or research that has impacted your career?
One day, I started to follow a very young Italian-native patient, married with two young children. I have known her for 4 years, with each medical visit; she brings me a little note or a cartoon from her children, to thank me for what we are doing for her. Every Christmas, they make their typical Italian cake the Panettonne. Every time I think about it, about all my patients with their little intentions, I know why I'm fighting for them too…
Can you tell us one thing collaboration with colleagues could accomplish that you could not accomplish on your own?
I will say, probably nothing, without our fantastic collaborative team. Nurses, nurse's coordinators, doctor's colleagues, specialists… Everyone I owe him what is already accomplished and what will be accomplished. And of course, my patients, who trust us, who follow our recommendations, who are motivated to participate in a clinical trial, to be part of a cohort to improve knowledge on these diseases.
If you had access to one resource that would move your research forward, what would that resource be?
All tumor samples in the world 🙂
How did you learn about the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation?
Almost by chance, I published a paper I think 8 years ago on mixed tumors, and one day I saw that it was cited by the cholangiocarcinoma foundation and quoted ... I think... I was I was flattered :)...After that, I make researches on the internet to know about their missions...
Can you tell us why you became a member of the ICRN?
I think that without international cooperative work, patient's improved care and prognosis will not be achieved before long decades. This international cooperation, knowledge and experience sharing yield a better understanding of the disease and strengthening of our forces to fight this disease