The tumour microenvironment plays a crucial role in cancer development, influencing tumour growth, immune responses, and treatment outcomes. Understanding how tumour cells interact with surrounding immune and stromal cells is essential for identifying new therapeutic opportunities, particularly in paediatric cancers where the tumour microenvironment remains poorly understood.
This project uses advanced spatial proteomics technologies to map the cellular composition and organisation of paediatric tumours while preserving their tissue architecture. By analysing multiple protein markers simultaneously within tumour samples, we can gain a detailed understanding of the complex interactions that occur within the tumour microenvironment.
Our research focuses on:
- Characterising the spatial distribution of tumour, immune, and stromal cell populations in paediatric cancer tissues.
- Identifying spatial biomarkers associated with disease progression, treatment response, and patient outcomes.
- Investigating tumour–immune interactions that may reveal new therapeutic targets.
- Developing robust spatial scoring approaches with potential clinical applications.
Through this work, we aim to improve our understanding of the paediatric tumour microenvironment and support the development of more precise, effective treatments for childhood cancers.