Professor John Gribben
Centre Lead: Haemato-Oncology
Professor of Medical Oncology
Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Fellow 1987-89, UCL Fogarty International Fellowship 1989-1991 Harvard
Overview
My primary research interests include the immunotherapy of cancer (including stem cell transplantation), the identification of B-cell-tumour antigens; and the detection and treatment of minimal residual disease in leukaemia and lymphoma.
Team
Dr Katherine Baines
Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Harshita Goradia
Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Lou Salome Herman
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr Pete Johnstone
Clinical Research Fellow
Alexander Pawsey
Clinical Research Fellow
Research
The research interest of my group focuses on immunological approaches to the treatment of haematological cancers. In particular, we are interested in understanding:
- The molecular mechanisms whereby cancer cells induce changes in the host immune system
- The use of allogeneic stem cell bone marrow transplant to induce a graft versus leukaemia effect
- Identification of the antigenic targets expressed by cancer cells
- Use of agents that will make tumour cells more susceptible to immune cell mediated killing, without impacting on the host immune system
Key Publications
Expression of FOXP3, CD68 and CD20 at Diagnosis in the Microenvironment of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma is Predictive of outcome. J Clin Oncol (2013) 31(2):256-62. PMID: 23045593
E(mu)-TCL1 mice represent a model for immunotherapeutic reversal of chronic lymphocytic leukemia-induced T-cell dysfunction. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (2009) 106(15):6250-5. PMID: 19332800
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia T cells show impaired immunological synapse formation that can be reversed with an immunomodulating drug. J Clin Invest (2008) 118(7):2427-37. PMID: 18551193
SAGE analysis demonstrates increased expression of TOSO contributing to Fas-mediated resistance in CLL. Blood (2008) 112(2):394-7. PMID: 18434611
See recent publicationsMajor Funding
- 2016-2019- Wellcome Trust, Understanding the rise of HIV-assoicated Hodgkin Lymphoma despite HAART; the role of immune dysregulation
- 2016-2019- Janssen Biotech Inc, Targeting PD-LI/PD-1 mediated inbhibitory signaling with BTK inhibitors
- 2014-2019- NCI/NIH Programme Grant – CLL Research Consortium, Understanding the impact of CLL on T cell immune responses
Other Activities
- European Hematology Association (EHA), President 2019-2021
- President-elect 2017-2019
- EHA Governing Board, 2015-
- International workshop for NHL – Chair 2014-
- MRC Molecular and Cellular Medicine Board (MCMB), 2007-2012
Biography
I hold the Gordon Hamilton Fairley Chair of Medical Oncology at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary, University of London. My doctoral studies were performed at University College London as the recipient of a Wellcome Trust Fellowship Award. I continued post-doctoral training with Professor Lee Nadler at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School.
In 1992, I was appointed to the Faculty at Harvard Medical School, where I remained as Associate Professor of Medicine and an Attending Physician at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, until returning to London in 2005. I am a founding member of the CLL Research Consortium, Associate Editor of Blood and was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Science.
Related News
Blood Cancer Awareness Month: how can we personalise treatments to improve care?
For Blood Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Lou Herman reflects on the current challenges facing blood cancer patients and how we’re addressing them.
Interviews 30 September 2024
Prof John Gribben in BBC’s The Diagnosis Detectives
Professor John Gribben, Lead for the Centre for Haemato-Oncology at Barts Cancer Institute and Consultant Haematologist at Barts Health NHS Trust, is part of a new BBC Two series called The Diagnosis Detectives. Professor Gribben is one of a panel of 12 of the UK’s leading medical experts who have been assembled to diagnose patients with life-changing symptoms that have puzzled other doctors and remained undiagnosed.
General News 15 September 2020
New EHA President
Congratulations to Professor John Gribben who has been announced as the new President for the European Hematology Association (EHA). The Presidency was handed over to Professor Gribben on the 16th June, the final day of the 24th EHA Congress.
General News 28 June 2019