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Understanding how to manipulate a tumour's microenvironment and how can use this understanding for therapeutic gain.

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Tumours are not composed of just cancer cells. Instead, in addition to cancer cells a variety of resident and infiltrating host immune cells, secreted factors, extracellular matrix proteins, stromal and epithelial cells are present in tumours. Importantly, tumours (and all the cells in them) also experience environmental factors including low oxygen (hypoxia), acidosis and increased pressure. The term tumour microenvironment (TME) is used to refer to the cellular composition of a tumour and the tumour specific physical factors present. Several aspects of the TME have been shown to drive tumour progression and therapy response. For example, regions of hypoxia lead to therapy resistance (chemo/immuno/radiotherapy) and increased metastasis. Therefore, to understand how tumours develop, improve therapy response, and identify new therapeutic strategies it is imperative that we consider the TME, and not isolated tumour cells grown in standard conditions.

The effect of hypoxia on tumour biology in this context has long been a focus of the Department. Understanding its impact on metastasis, metabolism, DNA damage processing and immune function, and how all these factors affect response to radiation, in particular, are key elements of several programmes. The area is also a pillar of our involvement in RADNET (CRUK’s radiation network). In the Department we have the tools and model systems to map and to manipulate the tumour microenvironment, to better understand and overcome the mechanisms that govern resistance to therapy. We are interested in uncovering the dynamic crosstalk that exists between different components of the TME and how these interactions adapt in response to the selective pressures of stress or treatment. Our ability to integrate physical and traditional oncological sciences has the potential to deliver an internationally leading strength. Our in depth understanding of the consequences of hypoxia and established links with Chemistry, Mathematics and Radiology (amongst others) will allow tumour-specific effects of processes elucidated in other themes to be characterised and modelled, with a growing emphasis on spatial relationships.



Groups within this theme

Cancer Therapeutics and mRNA Dysregulation
BLAGDEN GROUP

Cancer Therapeutics and mRNA Dysregulation

Cell Cycle and Ubiquitin Signalling
D'ANGIOLELLA GROUP

Cell Cycle and Ubiquitin Signalling

Tumour Hypoxia
HAMMOND GROUP

Tumour Hypoxia

Tumour Radiosensitivity
HIGGINS GROUP

Tumour Radiosensitivity

Adjuvant Colorectal Cancer
KERR GROUP

Adjuvant Colorectal Cancer

Clinical Academic Group for Medical Physics
MCGOWAN GROUP

Clinical Academic Group for Medical Physics

Determining how microenvironments affect tumour progression and radiation responses
MOON GROUP

Determining how microenvironments affect tumour ...

Immune Radiation Biology
OLCINA GROUP

Immune Radiation Biology

Studying Inflammatory Pathways in Cancer
PARKES GROUP

Studying Inflammatory Pathways in Cancer

The effects of 'FLASH'
PETERSSON GROUP

The effects of 'FLASH'

Anticancer Viruses and Cancer Vaccines
SEYMOUR GROUP

Anticancer Viruses and Cancer Vaccines

Experimental Neuroimaging
SIBSON GROUP

Experimental Neuroimaging

Experimental Radiotherapeutics
VALLIS GROUP

Experimental Radiotherapeutics