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Cancer stem cells exhibit lineage plasticity to drive tumour metastasis and therapeutic resistance. Understanding the mechanisms underlying lineage plasticity will be crucial if we are to deliver better treatments for cancer.
We predominantly focus on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). OSCC is one of the top ten cancers worldwide, with over 300,000 cases annually, and incidence is increasing both worldwide and in the UK (in the UK, incidence has increased by 23% over the past decade). OSCC is a deadly disease with frequent metastatic spread; around 30% of patients present with metastatic spread, and this is the single most important predictor of outcome.
We model human cancer using human cancer cells growing in a dish, as this provides a well controlled system where detailed and accurate measurements are possible. To give greater physiological relevance, advanced 3D models and microfluidic systems are required, and we are actively working in this area.
Human tissue archives have the potential to provide a wealth of information on tumour behaviour in the human body, including data on the clinical course of disease. We are exploring new ways of obtaining greater information from these tumour specimens, including simultaneous measurement of multiple cancer stem cell markers, to improve their utility in cancer research.
Our funders
Our funders
We are very fortunate to have funding from some great organisations who we work with to improve treatment of oral cancer and replace animals in cancer research.
Our lab is part of the Animal Replacement Centre of Excellence at QMUL, originally funded by a 5 year programme grant from Animal Free Research UK, who now fund a PhD studentship in our lab. Learn more HERE.
Oracle cancer trust funded a recently completed PhD studentship in our lab, and we still collaborate closely with them to ensure our research helps patients. You can learn more about this project in Oracle's Summer 2018 newsletter (page 13) HERE.
The NC3Rs funded a recently completed PhD studentship in our lab. Learn more HERE. They have also funded a new project grant to develop a complex tumour-on-chip. Learn more HERE.
The MRC are funding a 3 year research project in our lab. Learn more HERE.
Our QMUL centres
Our QMUL centres
We are part of the Centre for Cell Biology and Cutaneous Research within the Blizard Institute.
We are also part of the QMUL Centre for Predictive in vitro Models. This is an exciting cross faculty initiative representing multidisciplinary research into the development and use of predictive in vitro models at QMUL.
The new Barts Centre for Squamous Cancer launched in April 2021. This is a new centre of excellence dedicated to improving detection, treatment, and quality of life for patients with squamous cancer. View the launch symposium HERE.
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