The overall goal of my research activity is the development of cellular immunotherapy for malignancy. Currently, I lead the “CAR Mechanics” research group, which consists of 1 MRC funded iclinician scientist, 3 post-doctoral research fellows, 3 non-clinical PhD students, 3 technicians, in additin to regular MRes, MSc and BSc students.

A major focus of our work entails the design and testing of genetically delivered “Chimeric Antigen Receptors” (CAR) to re-target T-cell specificity against designated native tumour antigens. My research group has generated CARs with specificity against prostate-specific membrane antigen, MUC1, ErbB2, the extended ErbB kinase family, the epithelial-specific integrin a_vb₆, the receptor for CSF-1, the receptor for IL-3, IGF-1 receptor and CD19. Projects are focused upon pre-clinical testing of these molecules in models of several malignancies, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, malignant mesothelioma, prostate cancer, selected lymphomas, acute myeloid leukaemia and pancreatic cancer. We collaborate with several groups at King’s College London (Imaging, Immunobiology, Haematological Oncology, Head & Neck Cancer, Breast Cancer, Novel vectors for gene transfer), St Bartholomew’s Hospital (Imaging) and Imperial College London (Gynaecological Oncology, Haematology).

Our first clinical trial of CAR-based immunotherapy was initiated in 2015 in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer. Twleve patients have now been treated on this study.

We also work on the development of adoptive immunotherapy using ex-vivo expanded gd T-cells and collaborate with a group based in the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel who produce liposomal amino-bisphosphonates which can be used to potentiate this therapeutic approach. 

Some other studies involving tumour immunology are also undertaken in our group, primarily focused upon the measurement of tumour-specific effector molecules and cells and the assessment of possible targets or other molecules that may be exploited using cellular immunotherapy.

Recently developed proprietary CAR technologies developed by the group have been patented and will be developed through a spin out company named Leucid Bio.