Stromal Radiobiology Group

Dr Anna Wilkins’ group is investigating how to target the tumour microenvironment of bladder and prostate cancer to prevent treatment resistance, especially to radiation given with curative intent.

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Research and publications in this group

Our research combines comprehensive spatially-resolved profiling of patient tumours from clinical trials with a range of preclinical models for mechanistic interrogation. We have a particular focus on bladder cancer where survival is poor and curative-intent radiotherapy is an important bladder-sparing treatment for patients.

We aim to maximise scientific insight from samples collected in practice-changing clinical trials in bladder and prostate cancer, often led by the ICR. Our human translational science using these samples combines multiplex immunofluorescence with spatially-resolved transcriptomics analysis. This enables us to decipher the molecular crosstalk between non-cancerous and cancer cells that drives aggressive tumour trajectories and therapeutic resistance. A range of preclinical models enables us to manipulate this molecular crosstalk and test new therapeutic targets with a focus on cancer-associated fibroblast and myeloid populations. We prioritise reconciling emerging data from patient samples with our preclinical models to maintain clinical relevance and facilitate rapid transition of insights to novel clinical trials.

Dr Anna Wilkins

ICR Group Leader / RMH Honorary Consultant:

Stromal Radiobiology

Anna Wilkins is a Clinician Scientist at the ICR and an Honorary Consultant in Clinical Oncology at the Royal Marsden, working in the Prostate and Bladder Research Group.

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Researchers in this group

OrcID: 0000-0003-3074-6439

Phone: +442071535559

Email: [email protected]

Also on: amy-burley

Location: Sutton

I am a postdoctoral training fellow studying the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. I use multiplex immunofluorescence and digital pathology analysis to quantify the cellular composition and spatial arrangement of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the retrospective clinical trial samples.

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OrcID: 0009-0004-2465-8787

Email: [email protected]

Also on: mi-chween-chan

Location: Chelsea

I am a PhD student investigating the role of myeloid cells in responses to radiotherapy and immunotherapy in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. I will be utilising multiplexed immunofluorescence and transcriptomic techniques on clinical trial samples to gain a wider understanding of the myeloid population interactions within the tumour microenvironment.

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Phone: +442071535294

Email: [email protected]

Location: Chelsea

From enjoying Cancer and Immunology modules in my Imperial College BSc, my Cancer Biology MRes included in vitro CRAF-RAS investigations at the Crick and some unexpected COVID work. My ICR PhD investigated bladder tumour, blood and urine clinical trial samples with genomics, transcriptomics, mIF and flow cytometry, which I’m continuing as a postdoc.

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OrcID: 0009-0008-5322-8128

Email: [email protected]

Also on: katieofee

Location: Sutton

I am an HSO/PhD student investigating the roles of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the radiation response in bladder cancer using in vivo and in vitro models. I am interested in assessing radiation-induced changes to the tumour microenvironment with spatial resolution and testing methods that target CAFs to improve radiation responses.

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Phone: +44 20 3437 6437

Email: [email protected]

Location: Sutton

I am a Clinical Oncology registrar undertaking an MD focussing on improved biomarker-driven risk stratification and prediction of treatment response in Prostate Cancer. I use digital pathology analysis of diagnostic core biopsy H&E slides from large retrospective studies, along with techniques such as multiplex immunofluorescence and TCR sequencing to evaluate the Prostate Cancer tumour and immune landscape, and longitudinal response to radiotherapy.

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