Tumour microenvironment

We are dedicated to exploring the tumour microenvironment to find new ways to treat cancer.

Tumours are not just a collection of cancer cells. The tumour microenvironment includes the surrounding cells, blood vessels, and immune cells that all interact with a tumour.

Our researchers are making significant strides in this area. The Ali Group studies breast cancer to understand how the structure of the tumour microenvironment can predict how well immunotherapy will work. The Biffi Group focuses on pancreatic cancer, examining how different support cells, called fibroblasts, influence tumour growth. The Halim and de la Roche teams are looking at how various aspects of the immune system can affect how a tumour progresses and responds to treatment.

Large collaborative projects like the IMAXT Cancer Grand Challenge and the Wellcome Trust LEAP Delta Tissue aim to improve our understanding of spatial biology and develop new therapeutic strategies.

We aim to investigate new treatment strategies that target the tumour microenvironment’s weaknesses or change its structure to make it more responsive to therapy. Inspired by the success of treatments that block certain immune checkpoints, we believe that a better understanding of the tumour microenvironment will lead to new treatment options for patients.