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.
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)
Subcellular mRNA localization regulates ribosome biogenesis in migrating cells DERMIT M, Dodel M, Lee F et al. Developmental Cell (2020) 55(1) 298-313
Cancer Burden Is Controlled by Mural Cell-β3-Integrin Regulated Crosstalk with Tumor Cells Wong PP, Muñoz-Félix JM, Hijazi M et al. Cell (2020) 181(7) 1346-1363.e21
A novel use of random priming-based single-strand library preparation for whole genome sequencing of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Saunderson EA, Baker A-M, Williams M et al. Nar Genomics and Bioinformatics (2020) 2(1) lqz017-lqz017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31867579
Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL): an overview of presentation and pathogenesis and guidelines for pathological diagnosis and management Jones JL, Hanby AM, Wells C et al. Histopathology (2019) 75(7) 787-796
A compact system for intraoperative specimen imaging based on edge illumination x-ray phase contrast Havariyoun G, Vittoria FA, Hagen CK et al. Physics in Medicine and Biology (2019) 64(1)
CM-Path Molecular Diagnostics Forum—consensus statement on the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic tests in the United Kingdom Macklin PS, Pillay N, Lee JL et al. British Journal of Cancer (2019) 121(7) 738-743
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
Laboratory-based x-ray phase contrast CT technology for clinical intra-operative specimen imaging Massimi L, Hagen CK, Endrizzi M et al. Progress in Biomedical Optics and Imaging - Proceedings of SPIE (2019) 10948(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.