Dr Nekisa Zakeri
Group Leader
Overview
My group’s research is focused on developing novel immunotherapeutic strategies for patients with primary and metastatic liver cancer, with a particular emphasis on cellular therapies and tumour microenvironment targeting.
Despite recent advances in immunotherapy, the majority of patients with liver cancer do not achieve adequate responses. A central focus of our research is the therapeutic harnessing of unconventional T cells called gamma delta T cells to create more universally effective therapies. In parallel, we are studying the liver tumour microenvironment to identify targets for combination immunotherapy.
Positioned at the interface of clinical hepatology and cancer immunology, our group also leads multidisciplinary clinical research aimed at optimising therapeutic responses, enhancing quality of life, and improving survival outcomes for patients with liver cancer.
Team
My group is currently being established at Barts Cancer Institute.
We are seeking talented and motivated researchers to join us. Please get in touch if you are interested in postdoctoral, PhD, senior technician, or clinical research fellow opportunities.
Research
Immunotherapy has transformed the treatment landscape for primary liver cancer; however, the majority of patients do not achieve objective responses. Our research aims to develop more universally effective immunotherapeutic strategies through the integration of cellular immunotherapies and tumour microenvironment targeting.
• Gamma delta T cell immunotherapy for liver cancer
We have a particular interest in gamma delta T cells, which are unconventional T cells capable of MHC-independent recognition of stress-related ligands, conferring broad tumour reactivity without HLA-restriction. We are developing novel strategies to therapeutically harness gamma delta T cells for the treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancer.
• Tumour microenvironment targeting in liver cancer
The liver tumour microenvironment represents a complex and dynamic immunosuppressive network that restrains effective anti-tumour immunity. Utilising 3D tumour modelling techniques, we are studying the tumour microenvironment across primary and metastatic liver tumours, with the goal of identifying potential targets to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy.
Key Publications
- Zakeri N et al. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis of post-treatment radiology and explant histology. BJC Rep (2025). 3(1):36. PMID: 40394138
- Zakeri N et al. Characterisation and induction of tissue-resident gamma delta T cells to target hepatocellular carcinoma. Nat Commun (2022). 13(1):1372. PMID: 35296658
- Childs A, Zakeri N et al. Biopsy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma – Results of a Multicentre UK Audit. Br J Cancer (2021). 125(10):1350-1355. PMID: 34526664
Major Funding
- 2024 – 2029 – Wellcome Early Career Award, ‘Overcoming constraints on gamma delta T cell immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma’, £1,033,425.
- 2023 – 2025 – LifeArc Pathfinder Award, ‘Developing a novel gamma-delta T cell immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma’, £88,260.
- 2023 – 2026 – Cancer Research UK Postdoctoral Research Bursary, £35,715.
- 2018 – 2022 – Wellcome Trust PhD Clinical Research Fellowship, £250,000.
Other Activities
- Honorary Consultant Hepatologist, Barts Health NHS Trust, specialising in the clinical management of patients with Hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Hepatology Representative for HCC UK Committee, British Association for Study of the Liver.
- International Liver Cancer Association Communications Committee Member.
- Public engagement: Liver cancer surveillance video for the British Liver Trust, Science Bites webinar for Cancer Research UK, Article for The Conversation.
Biography
I am a Clinical Senior Lecturer and Group Leader at Barts Cancer Institute, and an Honorary Consultant Hepatologist at Barts Health NHS Trust.
I completed my specialty training in Hepatology and Liver Transplantation at the Royal Free Hospital London and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham as a NIHR Clinical Lecturer, developing my research and clinical interest in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
I obtained a PhD in Liver Immunology, Clinical and Translational Science from University College London, funded by a Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellowship. This research provided the first characterisation for tissue-resident gamma delta T cells in hepatocellular carcinoma. This work was awarded the National Cancer Research Institute Future of Research Award and the Sir Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology Award for Basic Science.
Alongside my clinical practice as a Consultant Hepatologist looking after patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, I am the current Hepatology Representative for HCC UK, and a committee member for the International Liver Cancer Association.
My group’s research vision is to translate our scientific discoveries towards clinical impact, and I am an active contributor to patient and public engagement in research.