My research in breast cancer focuses on the progression of in situ to invasive disease with the aims of identifying 1) markers which can predict behaviour and 2) novel therapeutic targets.
Germline BRCA mutation and outcome in young-onset breast cancer (POSH): a prospective cohort study. Lancet Oncol (2018) 19(2):169-180. PMID: 29337092
The 100 000 Genomes Project: bringing whole genome sequencing to the NHS. BMJ (2018). PMID: 29691228
Loss of MMP-8 in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)-associated myoepithelial cells contributes to tumour promotion through altered adhesive and proteolytic function. Breast Cancer Res (2017) 19(1). PMID: 28330493
Altered microenvironment promotes progression of preinvasive breast cancer: myoepithelial expression of αvβ6 integrin in DCIS identifies high-risk patients and predicts recurrence. Clin Cancer Res (2014) 20(2) 344-357. PMID: 24150233
Pathology Lead for North, East & West London Genomic Laboratory Hub
Lead for Molecular Pathology for Genomics England
The focus of my research is breast cancer and in particular the factors involved in the progression of in situ to invasive disease with the aims of identifying 1) markers which can predict behaviour, and 2) novel therapeutic targets. Current research involves development of in vitro models of Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and their use to investigate the influence of the microenvironment on tumour cell behaviour, focusing on the functional significance of altered myoepithelial and fibroblast phenotype in DCIS.
We have strong links with The Breast Unit at Barts Cancer Centre.
In parallel with our work on the microenvironment, we are investigating the molecular diversity of in situ and invasive breast cancer in different populations (e.g. different ethnic groups, high risk patients) and its therapeutic implications.
I am also the Course Director for the MSc Cancer & Molecular Pathology and Genomics Course.
Survey of UK histopathology consultants' attitudes towards academic and molecular pathology Brockmoeller S, Young C, Lee J et al. Journal of Clinical Pathology (2019) 72(7) 399-405
Stanniocalcin 2 expression is associated with a favourable outcome in male breast cancer. Coulson-Gilmer C, Humphries MP, Sundara Rajan S et al. J Pathol Clin Res (2018) 4(2) 241-249
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29956502
Time for change: A new training programme for morpho-molecular pathologists? Moore DA, Young CA, Morris HT et al. Journal of Clinical Pathology (2018) 71(7) 285-290
PHLDA1 Mediates Drug Resistance in Receptor Tyrosine Kinase-Driven Cancer Fearon AE, Carter EP, Clayton NS et al. Cell Reports (2018) 22(7) 2469-2481
Differential Expression of MicroRNAs in Breast Cancers from Four Different Ethnicities. Pollard J, Burns PA, Hughes TA et al. Pathobiology (2018) 85(2) 220-226
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29791912
Deconstruction of a metastatic tumor microenvironment reveals a common matrix response in human cancers. Pearce OMT, Delaine-Smith R, Maniati E et al. Cancer Discov (2017) (1)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29196464
Hit-and-run epigenetic editing prevents senescence entry in primary breast cells from healthy donors Saunderson EA, Stepper P, Gomm JJ et al. Nature Communications (2017) 8(7)
Morphomolecular pathology: Setting the framework for a new generation of pathologists Jones JL, Oien KA, Lee JL et al. British Journal of Cancer (2017) 117(7) 1581-1582
The growth of molecular diagnostics: Stratified Medicine Programme, the 100,000 Genomes Project and the future Nelan RL, Hayward MK, Jones JL Diagnostic Histopathology (2017) 23(7) 458-467
A Case-Matched Gender Comparison Transcriptomic Screen Identifies eIF4E and eIF5 as Potential Prognostic Markers in Male Breast Cancer. Humphries MP, Sundara Rajan S, Droop A et al. Clin Cancer Res (2017) 23(2) 2575-2583
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27986751
Postdoctoral Researchers in this group
Dr Michael Allen, Dr Jennifer Gomm, Dr Linda Haywood
PhD Students
Ms Ohud Alsalmi, Mr Sarantos Kaptanis, Ms Niki Prekete, Dr Fred John Nnaemeka Obiajulu
Clinical Research Fellows
Dr Natalie Allen, Dr Kathryn Hawkesford, Dr Philip Elliott
I joined Barts Cancer Institute in April 2004. I trained in Medicine at Leicester University and specialised in Breast Pathology, undertaking a PhD at the Breast Cancer Research Unit in Leicester analysing the tumour-suppressor role of breast myoepithelial cells.