Metastatic disease is the main cause of death in patients diagnosed with cancer and in our lab, we are interested in studying the evolutionary and biological processes associated with cancer metastasis by analysing tumours from early to late stage disease.  In particular, we work with research autopsy samples from the PEACE study, which provides a unique opportunity to study the landscape of metastatic disease in the context of the tumour microenvironment.  

Using a multi-omics approach, we aim to trace the dynamics of the cancer genome, transcriptome, metabolome and host immune system to identify the underlying mechanisms driving the metastatic process and the impact these have on clinical outcome and ultimately death.  Whilst it is known that cancer cells tend to use pathways of energy metabolism that are distinct from normal healthy cells, little is known about how cancer metabolism can impact tumour evolution and the host immune response. To explore this, we are investigating the metabolic mediators that play a role in metastases and that associate with a catabolic state and altered body composition suggestive of cancer-associated cachexia.  

By identifying the features and behaviour of aggressive cancers destined to metastasise and the drivers of metastatic disease despite treatment, we have the potential to identify mechanisms of drug resistance and novel therapeutic opportunities that may benefit future patients. Furthermore, gaining insights into the tumour- and host-specific factors driving altered body composition in early to late stage disease may help identify predictive and/or prognostic biomarkers to guide early interventional strategies and novel therapeutic opportunities to prevent or delay the development of cancer-associated cachexia and subsequent disease progression. 

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/research/department-oncology/cancer-metastasis-lab