Eileen Parkes
Research groups
RESEARCH THEMES
MRC ICASE PARTNERSHIP - Student Project:
Using oncolytic viral therapy to target the tumour microenvironment in chromosomally unstable cancers
Commercial partner Theolytics have identified and developed novel oncolytic viral therapeutics shortly entering the clinical setting. However, the behaviour of these therapeutic agents in a fibroblast-rich, immunosuppressed tumour microenvironment is not currently known and of key interest as these are typically cancers resistant to other immunotherapeutic approaches. In this project, using their lead therapeutic candidates, 2D and 3D co-culture models will be used to characterise the relationship between tumour cell characteristics, fibroblast phenotype and response to oncolytic viral therapy.
Eileen Parkes
MB BCh, Ba(O) (Hons), MRCP (Onc), PhD
Associate Professor, Innate tumour immunology
- Consultant Medical Oncologist, Early Phase Trials
RESEARCH SUMMARY
- Understand resistance mechanisms to immune-targeting treatments in cancer;
- Characterise the role of the interaction of chromosomal instability and DNA repair deficiency with immune activation in tumour initiation, progression and response.
- Study tumour microenvironment, fibroblasts and extracellular matrix in chromosomally unstable cancers.
In the Parkes Lab we study intrinsic inflammatory pathways in cancer. These are important immune pathways, present in all cells, that act as emergency response pathways to viral infection. However, in cancer, these pathways can be rewired and hijacked by the tumour to promote growth, invasion and metastasis.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr Parkes was the first to describe constitutive innate immune signalling in BRCA1/2 mutant cancers activating cGAS-STING signalling. This work has subsequently led to a clinical trial investigating a biomarker for BRCA1/2 deficiency in breast cancer, as well as interest in the action of STING agonists in BRCA1/2 mutant disease. Her work on ENPP1 and chromosomal instability identified a novel mechanism whereby cGAS-cGAMP-STING signalling can be subverted to result in tumour-mediated immunosuppression. She is an international expert on cGAS-STING signalling in cancer and the impact of this signalling on the tumour microenvironment.
GROUP MEMBERS
Kathy Chan, Post-Doctoral Researcher
Su Phyu, Post-Doctoral Researcher
Bruno Beernaert, DPhil student
Matt Jackson, DPhil student
Jamie Kwon, DPhil student
Kay Shigemori, DPhil student
Ashley Jackson, MRes student
Subashan Vadibeler, MRes student
Tong Liu, Visiting researcher
GROUP ALUMNI & NEXT DESTINATIONS
Rebecca Sipthorpe (2020-2022), Research technician - Wellcome-funded PhD student at the University of Bristol
Recent publications
-
Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix in oesophageal cancer.
Journal article
Vadibeler S. et al, (2025), Matrix Biol
-
CINs of the cytoplasm: dissecting dsRNA signaling in chromosomal instability.
Journal article
Skolariki A. et al, (2025), Mol Oncol
-
Recurrent ERBB2 alterations are associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma brain metastases.
Preprint
Lawson NM. et al, (2025)
-
Open-label, phase Ia study of STING agonist BI 1703880 plus ezabenlimab for patients with advanced solid tumors.
Journal article
Harrington K. et al, (2025), Future Oncol, 21, 195 - 200
-
IGFs regulate cancer cell immune evasion in prostate cancer
Preprint
Nandakumar AM. et al, (2024)
-
Redefining PD1 as a guardian of stem-like T cells.
Journal article
Jackson M. and Parkes EE., (2024), Nat Rev Immunol
-
Validity and timeliness of cancer diagnosis data collected during a prospective cohort study and reported by the English and Welsh cancer registries: a retrospective, comparative analysis.
Journal article
Jackson A. et al, (2024), Lancet Oncol, 25, 1476 - 1486
-
A retrospective analysis of the validity and timeliness of cancer diagnosis data collected during a prospective cohort study and reported by the English and Welsh cancer registries
Journal article
Jackson A. et al, (2024), The Lancet Oncology