Medicine at the Crick | The Tumour Microenvironment - Looking Beyond T-Cells

Hosted by Dr Erik Sahai, this 11th edition of Medicine at the Crick will explore how the spread of cancer and its response to therapy is determined by the interplay of cancer cells with their environment. Furthermore, we will discuss how understanding this interplay might present opportunities for improving patient outcomes.

Genetic changes within cancer cells are central to the process of tumorigenesis. However, it is now clear that the behaviour of cancers cannot be explained solely by these changes. Contextual signals from the tumour environment, such as the presence of inflammatory cells, particular metabolites, or the extracellular matrix, can have profound effects on cancer cells. Recent years have seen the development of therapies that re-activate T-cells in tumours, with transformative results in some cancer types. The challenge ahead is to identify how changing other aspects of the tumour microenvironment might lead to further improvements in cancer treatments.

This will be a hybrid event with an in-person audience joined by others online. Register on Eventbrite and full joining details for all attendees will be sent in advance of the event.