In his inaugural lecture on 11 September, Noel de Miranda, Professor of Translational Oncology, spoke about the curiosity that has driven him from a young age to understand how cancer works. His research focuses on the complex interplay between cancer cells and the immune system.
What is the main message of your inaugural lecture, and why did you choose this?
'I don't think I had one main message in my inaugural lecture, but the somewhat hidden message is that curiosity and fascination with how things work are powerful driving forces behind the advancement of knowledge, including knowledge that is ultimately translated into more effective treatments for cancer patients. I also point out that we risk losing this kind of curiosity-driven science if we don't develop and protect the conditions that allow this research to flourish.
'My inaugural lecture took the audience on a journey: from the moment I first became fascinated by biology, to the way in which understanding the biology of cancer - and specifically its interaction with the immune system - has led to new and effective treatments and will lead to more treatments in the future, and ending by reflecting on how we should shape and defend the academic system so that it remains a place where this kind of knowledge can continue to be generated.'
What key research areas are you and your team are currently working on?
'The Cancer Immunogenomics research group studies tumours as complex tissues and ecosystems that consist of not only cancer cells, but also immune cells, blood vessels and other supporting cell types. The composition of this "ecosystem" varies greatly between patients. Whether certain immune cells are present and where they are located within a tumour can have a huge impact on how a cancer behaves and how well a patient responds to treatment.
'Much of our work focuses on understanding how cancer cells hide from the immune system. We are particularly interested in types of immune cells that have received less attention in cancer research to date. We use advanced technologies, including imaging techniques that allow us to see in detail where different cell types are located within a tumour and how they interact.
'Understanding this complexity could help identify new therapeutic targets and find weaknesses in cancer cells that may eventually lead to better treatments.'
What is the role of teaching and patient care in your vision for this field?
'Much of our work is translational, meaning that it is between fundamental research and patient care. Many of our key partners are clinicians who want to understand the biology behind aggressive tumour behaviour or why some patients respond to a particular type of therapy while others do not.
'For me, that's the most exciting research environment: understanding the biological mechanisms that drive clinical behaviour using that knowledge to improve clinical practice.
'Teaching has long been a passion of mine. I often find it more rewarding than research because you can see the impact on students much faster than research projects, which can take years to produce results.
'Something interesting happens when you teach: as you translate your research to non-experts, you start looking at it differently and often end up asking new questions. I think that sends your brain down different pathways, leading to new questions and answers. That's why I believe that teaching and mentoring should rank among a professor's most important responsibilities.'
Is there a moment or experience from the past few years that has stayed with you?
'Meeting patient representatives or families has had a huge impact on me. As a researcher, you usually only make a small contribution, adding one piece to a vast and complex puzzle that is being assembled by the research community as a whole.
'As that contribution can seem so small, it can be difficult to feel that your work has a direct impact on patients. There can also be a sense of frustration because you can't tell patients and their families that a solution is just around the corner.
'What has surprised me is the gratitude I encounter from families. They are deeply grateful that someone has chosen to work on this issue at all, even though they understand that the work is difficult and that progress can be slow.'
Looking ahead, where do you hope the field will be in 10 to 15 years?
'Perhaps it is a little too soon to make predictions about the next 10 to 15 years, but I firmly believe that, in the near future, we will be able to offer most cancer patients treatments that harness, or are inspired by, the body's own immune system.
'Over the past decade, immunotherapies have shown success against some of the most challenging forms of cancer. At the same time, our understanding of how cancer and the immune system interact has advanced at a rapid pace.
'The combination of these clinical successes and our growing understanding of the underlying biology gives me confidence that this field will continue to deliver new and effective treatments for cancer patients.'
