ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR THOMAS COX
Laboratory Head - Matrix and Metastasis, Garvan Institute of Medical Research
Associate Professor (Conjoint), School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health
ABSTRACT
Homeostasis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical for correct organ and tissue function. Both the biochemical and biomechanical properties of the matrix contribute to modulating the behaviour of resident cells and are more than just passive bystanders. In tissue diseases such as cancer, we have shown that the matrix undergoes significant change. These changes, driven by both tumour and local and recruited stromal cells, feed into the pathological progression of the disease. Work from our lab has shown that the matrix and matrix remodelling can both promote and restrict tumour progression and metastatic dissemination. Through deploying multiple approaches to characterise matrix remodelling, including the development of new technologies to visualise and catalogue the matrix over both time and space, and subsequently recapitulate these microenvironments in vitro, we are gaining insight into the factors that shape the development, evolution and cellular heterogeneity of a tumour, as well as its response to a particular therapy. The non-selective depletion of the matrix has yielded paradoxical results, often accelerating progression. Instead, we have shown that more nuanced approaches to normalising biochemistry and biomechanics, rather than depleting the matrix results in favourable outcomes. As such, co-targeting the changing matrix in cancer, as well as the cellular response to the remodelled tumour matrix offer powerful approaches to improve therapy outcome for patients.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
A/Prof. Thomas Cox is a cancer cell biologist working in the field of the extracellular matrix and matrix remodelling in the progression and metastasis of solid tumours. He graduated with a Ph.D. from the University of Durham, UK in 2008, followed by Post Doctoral research positions at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, UK and Copenhagen University, Denmark. In 2016 he was recruited to the Garvan to establish his own independent research group.
Thomas currently leads the Matrix and Metastasis Lab, Part of the Cancer Ecosystems Program at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre. His labs creative research program integrates matrix biology with precision oncology, aligning with Garvan’s strategic vision to make fundamental advances in the understanding, treatment and prevention of human disease, in this case, personalised stromal targeting in solid tumours. His work is focused on tackling the knowledge gap in and redefining our understanding of the matrix in diseases such as cancer. His lab strives to identify new matrix targets and matrix targeting approaches, as well as develop ways to maximise their effectiveness in pre-clinical small animal cancer models (breast, pancreatic, lung, bowel) for personalising novel and/or current anti-cancer agents.
