Research groups
RESEARCH THEMES
Eileen Parkes
MB BCh, Ba(O) (Hons), MRCP (Onc), PhD
Associate Professor, Innate tumour immunology
- Consultant Medical Oncologist, Early Phase Trials
RESEARCH SUMMARY
- Understand resistance mechanisms to immune-targeting treatments in cancer;
- Characterise the role of the interaction of chromosomal instability and DNA repair deficiency with immune activation in tumour initiation, progression and response.
- Study tumour microenvironment, fibroblasts and extracellular matrix in chromosomally unstable cancers.
In the Parkes Lab we study intrinsic inflammatory pathways in cancer. These are important immune pathways, present in all cells, that act as emergency response pathways to viral infection. However, in cancer, these pathways can be rewired and hijacked by the tumour to promote growth, invasion and metastasis.
BIOGRAPHY
Dr Parkes was the first to describe constitutive innate immune signalling in BRCA1/2 mutant cancers activating cGAS-STING signalling. This work has subsequently led to a clinical trial investigating a biomarker for BRCA1/2 deficiency in breast cancer, as well as interest in the action of STING agonists in BRCA1/2 mutant disease. Her work on ENPP1 and chromosomal instability identified a novel mechanism whereby cGAS-cGAMP-STING signalling can be subverted to result in tumour-mediated immunosuppression. She is an international expert on cGAS-STING signalling in cancer and the impact of this signalling on the tumour microenvironment.
GROUP MEMBERS
Bruno Beernaert, Postdoctoral Researcher
Matt Jackson, Postdoctoral Researcher
Shannique Clarke, DPhil Student (Cancer Sciences)
Alfie Carter, DPhil Student (MRC iCASE)
Aglaia (Lia) Skolariki, DPhil Student (Cancer Sciences)
Erkin Erdal, DPhil Student (Cancer Sciences)
Juliet Martin, Research Assistant
Recent publications
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Nanotechnology for immuno-oncology.
Journal article
Grippin AJ. et al, (2025), Nat Cancer
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Interactions between cancer-associated fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix in oesophageal cancer.
Journal article
Vadibeler S. et al, (2025), Matrix Biol
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Chromosomal instability shapes the tumor microenvironment of esophageal adenocarcinoma via a cGAS-chemokine-myeloid axis.
Preprint
Beernaert B. et al, (2025)
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CINs of the cytoplasm: dissecting dsRNA signaling in chromosomal instability.
Journal article
Skolariki A. et al, (2025), Mol Oncol
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Recurrent ERBB2 alterations are associated with esophageal adenocarcinoma brain metastases.
Preprint
Lawson NM. et al, (2025)
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Open-label, phase Ia study of STING agonist BI 1703880 plus ezabenlimab for patients with advanced solid tumors.
Journal article
Harrington K. et al, (2025), Future Oncol, 21, 195 - 200
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IGFs regulate cancer cell immune evasion in prostate cancer
Preprint
Nandakumar AM. et al, (2024)
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Redefining PD1 as a guardian of stem-like T cells.
Journal article
Jackson M. and Parkes EE., (2024), Nat Rev Immunol