Congratulations to Professor Chris Gregory on his programme grant renewal

Congratulations to Professor Chris Gregory on the renewal of his programme grant with the funder Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The frequencies of apoptotic tumour cells and of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are each associated with poor prognosis in aggressive malignancies, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). It is hypothesized that tumour-cell apoptosis promotes oncogenic progression in NHL by driving the accumulation and pro-tumour activation state of TAMs.

Apoptotic lymphoma cells and their derived microvesicles directly produce a range of proteins that have trophic, anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic and tissue-remodeling properties of relevance to tumour progression. These funds will enable further investigation of the mechanisms underlying the potentially oncogenic properties of apoptotic lymphoma cells, including the mode of action of these proteins.

Using in vivo and in vitro models together with a combination of TAM-transcriptomics and microvesicle-proteomics approaches, the aim is to establish how apoptotic lymphoma cells affect the tumour niche and its constituent TAMs. ‘oncogenic-TAM’ signatures will be sought and their clinical application tested. The results of this Programme will further our understanding of the oncogenic effects of apoptosis and help identify novel diagnostic/therapeutic candidates.