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
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.
TGFβ-mediated MMP13 secretion drives myoepithelial cell dependent breast cancer progression Gibson SV, Tomas Bort E, Rodríguez-Fernández L et al. npj Breast Cancer (2023) 9(7)
Multiscale deep learning framework captures systemic immune features in lymph nodes predictive of triple negative breast cancer outcome in large-scale studies Verghese G, Li M, Liu F et al. Journal of Pathology (2023) 260(7) 376-389
Recent Advances in Pathology: the 2023 Annual Review Issue of The Journal of Pathology Jones JL, Poulsom R, Coates PJ Journal of Pathology (2023) 260(7) 495-497
The Future of Precision Oncology Rulten SL, Grose RP, Gatz SA et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023) 24(7)
Everybody needs good neighbours: the progressive DCIS microenvironment Gibson SV, Roozitalab RM, Allen MD et al. Trends in Cancer (2023) 9(7) 326-338
Characterization of the Immune Microenvironment in Inflammatory Breast Cancer Using Multiplex Immunofluorescence Badr NM, McMurray JL, Danial I et al. Pathobiology (2023) 90(7) 31-43
Mechanostimulation of breast myoepithelial cells induces functional changes associated with DCIS progression to invasion Hayward MK, Allen MD, Gomm JJ et al. npj Breast Cancer (2022) 8(7)
A biobank perspective on use of tissue samples donated by trial participants Speirs V, Cox A, Chelala C et al. The Lancet Oncology (2022) 23(7) e205
Detection of involved margins in breast specimens with X-ray phase-contrast computed tomography Massimi L, Suaris T, Hagen CK et al. Scientific Reports (2021) 11(7)
Exploring the potential of cycloidal computed tomography for advancing intraoperative specimen imaging Morgó ORI, Massimi L, Suaris T et al. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering (2021) 11840(7)
For additional publications, please click herePostdoctoral Researchers in this group
Dr Michael Allen
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.