We are using a variety of in vitro and in vivo approaches to address how the tumour microenvironment impacts on the efficacy of anti-angiogenic therapy.

The leading angiogenesis inhibitors in clinical usage are inhibitors of the VEGF-VEGFR2 signalling system, which is a major pathway that drives tumour angiogenesis. However, the tumour microenvironment contains other factors and cells types which can also promote angiogenesis. We are investigating whether these components of the tumour microenvironment can compromise the efficacy of anti-angiogenic agents and exploring the mechanisms that permit this to happen. By understanding these processes, which play a central role in therapy resistance, we hope to devise more effective anti-angiogenic therapies for cancer treatment.