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:
Device-Measured Change in Physical Activity in Primary School Children During the UK COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown: A Longitudinal Study. Scales J, Chavda J, Ikeda E et al. J Phys Act Health (2023) (2) 1-9
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37142406
Interest, Mindsets and Engagement: Longitudinal Relations in Science Orientations for Adolescents in Informal Science Programs Joy A, Mathews CJ, Zhao M et al. Journal of Youth and Adolescence (2023) 52(7) 1088-1099
Semi-supervised analysis of myeloid and T cell behavior in ex vivo ovarian tumor slices reveals changes in cell motility after treatments Laforêts F, Kotantaki P, Malacrida B et al. iScience (2023) 26(7)
Abstract 4551: Reconstructing the metastatic tumor microenvironment of high grade serous ovarian cancer: understanding the contribution of malignant cells Malacrida B, Elorbany S, Maniati E et al. Cancer Research (2023) 83(10) 4551-4551
Abstract 4576: 3D in vitro models uncover malignant cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of CAR-T cell resistance in high grade serous ovarian cancer Joy JD, Malacrida B, Laforêts F et al. Cancer Research (2023) 83(10) 4576-4576
Abstract 5913: Semi-supervised analysis of myeloid and T cell behavior in ex vivo ovarian tumor slices reveals changes in cell motility after treatments Laforets F, Kotantaki P, Malacrida B et al. Cancer Research (2023) 83(10) 5913-5913
Abstract 5957: Chemotherapy-induced extracellular matrix remodeling in HGSOC Kotantaki P, Laforêts F, Maniati E et al. Cancer Research (2023) 83(10) 5957-5957
GPs’ willingness to prescribe aspirin for cancer preventive therapy in Lynch syndrome: a factorial randomised trial investigating factors influencing decisions Lloyd KE, Hall LH, Ziegler L et al. British Journal of General Practice (2023) 73(7) E302-E309
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
A role for macrophages under cytokine control in mediating resistance to ADI-PEG20 (pegargiminase) in ASS1-deficient mesothelioma Phillips MM, Pavlyk I, Allen M et al. Pharmacological Reports (2023) (7)
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.