Research

My laboratory-based research programme explores a link between alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS), a ubiquitous post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanism, and prostate cancer (PCa) phenotypes.  During AS, coding (exons) and non-coding (introns) regions of a gene are shuffled to create protein isoforms with different functions.  AS is regulated by trans-acting RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and tightly coupled to transcription. We are studying the link between dysregulation of transcriptional and intracellular signalling processes and AS, mediated by RBPs. 

Our translational research examines how blood-derived liquid biopsy molecular biomarkers can be used to improve treatment outcomes for PCa patients. With NHS colleagues, we are investigating minimally-invasive surgical alternatives to chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer to reduce the therapy burden and toxicity. In collaboration with the Wolfson Institute of Preventative Medicine, we are exploring how minimally-toxic chemo-preventative strategies may reduce PCa progression on active surveillance.

Other Activities

• 2021 to date - Deputy Programme Director, MSc in Laparoscopic Surgery & Surgical Skills, Barts Cancer Institute
• 2021 to date - Module Lead, CAN7028 Laparoscopic Skills, Barts Cancer Institute
• 2021 to date - Module Lead, CAN7026 Laparoscopic Skills Suturing Skills, Barts Cancer Institute
• 2019 to date - Member: National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Germ Cell Tumours Research Group
• 2019 to date - Member: NCRI Advanced Prostate Cancer Research Group
• 2019 to date - University College London Urology Clinical Academic Board

Major Funding

• 2021-2024 - NIHR/Health Education England Academic Clinical Fellowship, 'Machine learning-led prostate cancer liquid biopsy biomarker panel discovery,' ~£200,000 (Role: PI)
• 2021-2024 - Barts Charity Large Project Grant, THERATEST (THERApy de-escalation in TESTicular cancer), £143,000 (Role: PI)
• 2021-2023 - MRC DTP in Translational Immunology, Inflammation and Cancer, 'Identification of splicing-driven putative neoantigens using proteomics informed by transcriptomics', £80,000 (Role: PI) 

Recent Publications

Protocol for a prospective study evaluating circulating tumour cells status to predict radical prostatectomy treatment failure in localised prostate cancer patients (C-ProMeta-1) Al-Hammouri T, Almeida-Magana R, Lawrence R et al. BMC Cancer 23(10) 581

Developing and centralising a nurse‐led local anaesthetic transperineal biopsy service during COVID Winters DA, Mehmi A, Odedra A et al. BJUI Compass (2023) 4(10) 715-721

Treatment de-escalation for stage II seminoma Wood GE, Chamberlain F, Tran B et al. Nature Reviews Urology (2023) 20(10) 502-512

The potential of using circulating tumour cells and their gene expression to predict docetaxel response in metastatic prostate cancer Davies CR, Guo T, Burke E et al. Frontiers in Oncology 12(10) 1060864

Understanding and managing the cardiovascular risks of androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer Atalar K, Rajan P Nature Reviews Urology (2023) 20(10) 3-4

FOXA1 regulates alternative splicing in prostate cancer Del Giudice M, Foster JG, Peirone S et al. Cell Reports (2022) 40(10) 111404

Feasibility of aspirin and/or vitamin D3 for men with prostate cancer on active surveillance with Prolaris® testing Dinneen E, Shaw GL, Kealy R et al. BJUI Compass (2022) 3(10) 458-465

ADXBladder molecular urine testing to risk stratify and prioritise management of suspected and known bladder cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic Santiapillai J, Foster L, Allchorne P et al. Journal of Clinical Urology (10) 205141582210866

Management of stage II seminoma: a contemporary UK perspective Alifrangis C, Nicol DL, Shamash J et al. Scottish Medical Journal (2022) 67(10) 126-128

171 Developing & Centralising a Nurse-Led Local Anaesthetic (La) Transperineal (Tp) Biopsy Service During Covid: A Success Story Winters D, Mehmi A, Odedra A et al. British Journal of Surgery (2022) 109(10) znac039.102

Team

• Miss Antara Labiba (with Professor Conrad Bessant)

Clinical Research Fellows

• Mr Muhammad Haider

• Dr Pinky Kotecha

• Mr Ben Lamb
• Mr James Dilley

• Mr Kerem Atalar
• Dr Nasreen Aziz

Biography

Key qualifications