The group develops, tests and optimises selective cancer treatments in vitro and in vivo, using novel antibody and vascular targeted therapies as either single or combined strategies. We have increasingly concentrated on the impact of the tumour microenvironment on therapy and vice versa, and a major part of our research concerns the development of systems for overcoming or exploiting tumour heterogeneity, in order to optimise future clinical trials. The most intensively studied tumour is colorectal carcinoma, but many of the other common tumours are also under investigation. A detailed study of the tumour microenvironment has shown extensive regional heterogeneity in many parameters, including antigen expression, blood vessel distribution and perfusion, and hypoxia. These factors in turn influence the delivery and efficacy of therapeutic agents. We are using a wide range of biomarkers and digital, multiparametric imaging systems to define these characteristics in tumours and inform the rational design of therapy. Hypoxia is one of the major tumour parameters being investigated, as this can increase radio- and chemo-resistance by approximately 3-fold compared to well oxygenated tumour regions.