Projects | Pepper Lab

Stratifying and targeting apoptosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) using a systems biology approach.

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 08:21:22 +0000

This PhD studentship is funded by a local philanthropist, Paul Stanforth. The project is designed to use NF-κB fingerprinting and link them to the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins to stratify diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The ultimate aim is to identify the best drugs for each individual patient.

Primary Supervisor: Simon Mitchell (mitchell.science)

Co-supervisors: Andrea and Chris Pepper

Stratification and selective targeting based on anti-apoptotic gene expression and NF-κB signalling in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 08:15:35 +0000

This PhD studentship is funded by a local philanthropist, Paul Stanforth. The project is designed to use NF-κB fingerprinting and link them to the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins to stratify chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). The ultimate aim is to identify the best drugs for each individual patient.

Primary Supervisor: Andrea Pepper

Co-supervisors: Simon Mitchell (mitchell.science) and Chris Pepper

Using NF-kB ‘fingerprints to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities within subsets of B cell malignancies

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 08:13:11 +0000

This exciting Blood Cancer UK funded project grant utilises the novel NF-kB fingerprinting technology developed by a collaboration between the Pepper and Mitchell team (www.mitchell.science) to predict the best drugs for patients with B cell malignancies.

In vitro modelling and therapeutic targeting of tumour cell migration in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:07:13 +0100

This programme continuity grant is funded by Blood Cancer UK.

Tumour cells migrate to protective niches in the body to avoid destruction by conventional therapies. We are modelling this in the laboratory in order to identify the mechanisms tumour cells use to migrate. The aim of this project is to identify novel therapeutic targets to prevent tumour cell migration and promote their destruction.

Modelling and targeting Acute Myeloid Leukaemia cells in the bone marrow protective niche

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:07:13 +0100

This project grant is funded by a British Society of Haematology start-up grant and the Sussex Cancer Fund.

Acute Myeloid Leukaemia is an aggressive disease with poor survival outcomes. The tumour cells remain anchored in the protective niche of the bone marrow where they can avoid destruction by conventional therapies. In this project we are modelling the AML bone marrow to investigate the mechanisms the tumour cells use to anchor themselves and identifying ways to force them out and into the peripheral blood. Here they will be more susceptible to destruction by conventional therapies.

Overcoming ibrutinib and venetoclax resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:07:13 +0100

This project grant is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Ibrutinib and venetoclax have revolutionised treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). However, they are non-curative and some patients remain refractory or develop resistance. This project has two main aims; A. to develop a simple assay to predict which patients will respond well to these drugs, and which will not, and B. to investigate resistance mechanisms utilised by the tumour cells of non-responsive patients. This will enable us identify novel therapeutic targets for those with more challenging disease.

Preferential stem cell targeting using ProTide nucleoside analogues

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 17:07:13 +0100

This project grant is funded by the pharmaceutical company, Nucana.

Although conventional anti-cancer approaches can frequently eradicate a large proportion of the bulk tumour, the most primitive stem cells are frequently chemo-resistant. ProTide modification of some nucleoside drugs has the potential to preferentially target leukaemic stem cells. Chris Pepper has had a long-standing interest in both cancer biology and drug development and has partnered with Nucana to create this project developing and testing novel ProTide nucleoside analogues on AML stem cells.