My research is focused on the links between cancer and inflammation, being especially interested in translating knowledge of cancer biology into new biological treatments for cancer and in the role that inflammatory cytokines play in cancer promotion. We study the tumour microenvironment of ovarian cancer using a platform of human multi-cellular tissue culture models and mouse models to research biological therapies that may prevent relapse and increase patient survival.
Chemotherapy Induces Tumor-Associated Macrophages that Aid Adaptive Immune Responses in Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Immunol Res (2021) 9(6):665-681. PMID: 33839687
A human multi-cellular model shows how platelets drive production of diseased extracellular matrix and tissue invasion. iScience (2021) 24(6):102676. PMID: 34189439
TGFBI Production by Macrophages Contributes to an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer. Cancer Res (2021) 81(22):5706-5719. PMID: 34561272
Mouse Ovarian Cancer Models Recapitulate the Human Tumor Microenvironment and Patient Response to Treatment. Cell Rep (2020) 30(2):525-540.e7. PMID: 31940494
Deconstruction of a Metastatic Tumor Microenvironment Reveals a Common Matrix Response in Human Cancers. Cancer Discov (2018) 8(3):304-319. PMID: 29196464
I am Professor of Cancer Biology at Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, where I am Deputy Centre Lead for the Centre for Tumour Microenvironment. I study the links between cancer and inflammation and research ways of translating this to clinical trial.
My key research areas of interest are:
Promoting Diverse Youth’s Career Development through Informal Science Learning: The Role of Inclusivity and Belonging Zhao M, Mathews CJ, Mulvey KL et al. Journal of Youth and Adolescence (2023) 52(7) 331-343
Gender Stereotypes and Peer Selection in STEM Domains Among Children and Adolescents McGuire L, Hoffman AJ, Mulvey KL et al. Sex Roles (2022) 87(7) 455-470
The Tumor Microenvironment of Clear-Cell Ovarian Cancer Devlin MJ, Miller R, Laforets F et al. Cancer Immunology Research (2022) 10(7) 1326-1339
A Therapeutically Actionable Protumoral Axis of Cytokines Involving IL-8, TNFα and IL-1β Olivera I, Sanz-Pamplona R, Bolaños E et al. Cancer Discovery (2022) 12(7) 2140-2157
Abstract 693: TGFβ-mediated targeting of the extracellular matrix enhances the migration and cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells in 3D models of ovarian cancer Joy JD, Malacrida B, Laforêts F et al. Cancer Research (2022) 82(10) 693-693
Immune Mechanisms of Resistance to Cediranib in Ovarian Cancer Gopinathan G, Berlato C, Lakhani A et al. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (2022) 21(7) 1030-1045
Loss of mTORC2-induced metabolic reprogramming in monocytes uncouples migration and maturation from production of proinflammatory mediators Jangani M, Vuononvirta J, Yamani L et al. Journal of Leukocyte Biology (2022) 111(7) 967-980
Harnessing cytokines and chemokines for cancer therapy Propper DJ, Balkwill FR Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology (2022) 19(7) 237-253
Building in vitro 3D human multicellular models of high-grade serous ovarian cancer Malacrida B, Pearce OMT, Balkwill FR STAR Protocols (2022) 3(7)
Impact of Youth and Adult Informal Science Educators on Youth Learning at Exhibits McGuire L, Hoffman AJ, Mulvey KL et al. Visitor Studies (2022) 25(7) 41-59
For additional publications, please click herePostdoctoral Researchers in this group
Dr Eleni Maniati, Dr Ganga Gopinathan, Dr Florian Laforêts, Dr Beatrice Malacrida, Dr Panoraia Kotantaki, Dr Joash Joy
Clinical Research Fellows
Dr Owen Heath
PhD Students
Priyankaa Goordyal, Laura Lecker
Research Technician
Sam Nichols
BSU Technician
Colin Pegrum
In 2006, I was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, being elected a member of its Council later in the same year. I am a frequent plenary and keynote speaker at international meetings, such as Gordon and Keystone conferences and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
I am also actively involved in communication of science to non-specialist audiences, especially young people. I have written thirteen science books for children on cell and molecular biology, with titles such as Enjoy Your Cells and The Egg and Sperm Race.
I am the Director of the Centre of the Cell, a biomedical science centre for children, educational website, and widening participation and outreach project in Whitechapel. The website was launched in March 2007 and the physical Centre opened in September 2009. As of July 2017 there have been over 171,000 participants in Centre of the Cell activities (www.centreofthecell.org).
I am a non-parliamentary board member of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, POST and a Trustee of Bloodwise. I was awarded an OBE in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours list. In 2015 I was made a Doctor of Science honoris causa by the University of Bristol and in 2017 was awarded the Cancer Research UK Inspiring Leadership in Research Engagement Prize.