Alan Serrels Research Group

Research in a Nutshell

The focus of our lab is to understanding how cancer cells contribute to regulating the composition of the tumour immune environment to promote evasion of the anti-tumour immune response. In this context, we recently identified a new role for the adhesion linked kinase Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) in regulating chemokine and cytokine expression in cancer cells, resulting in elevated levels of intra-tumoural Tregs and suppression of the CD8 T-cell anti-tumour immune response. Our current aim is to understand in greater detail the extent of FAKs immuno-modulatory activity, and to identify optimal combinations with current / emerging immunotherapies for translation to the clinic.