Dr Oliver Pearce

Oliver Pearce

Reader in Tumour Extracellular Matrix

Centre for Tumour Microenvironment, Barts Cancer Institute
Queen Mary University of London
07708 124699
www.bci.qmul.ac.uk/staff/dr-oliver-m-pearce/

Research

Extracellular matrix, Immunity, decellularised tissue models

Cancer Models

Interests

We make decellularised models from human cancer tissues to explore how the tumour immune infiltrate is orientated and activated by the extracellular matrix. I run a service providing access to decellularised models and associated assays. www.matrixdynamics.co.uk

Publications

solid heart iconPublications of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models

2024

Abstract C045: The extracellular matrix glycoprotein periostin supports chemotherapy resistance by modulating macrophage recruitment and phagocytosis in triple negative breast cancer
Tarantola L, Keklikoglou I, Pearce OM
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 84 (22_Supplement), c045-c045.  
17-11-2024
Tumor's Digest: Macrophage Metabolism Creates a Barrier to T Cells.
Tyler EJ, Pearce OMT
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 84 (20), 3322-3323.  
26-08-2024
Versican Associates with Tumor Immune Phenotype and Limits T-cell Trafficking via Chondroitin Sulfate
Hirani P, McDermott J, Rajeeve V, Cutillas PR, Jones JL, Pennington DJ, Wight TN, Santamaria S et al.
Cancer Research Communications, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 4 (4), 970-985.  
03-04-2024
A Self‐Assembled 3D Model Demonstrates How Stiffness Educates Tumor Cell Phenotypes and Therapy Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer
Liu Y, Okesola BO, de la Peña DO, Li W, Lin M, Trabulo S, Tatari M, Lawlor RT et al.
Advanced Healthcare Materials, Wiley vol. 13 (17) 
22-03-2024

2023

A Novel Primary Cilium‐Mediated Mechanism Through which Osteocytes Regulate Metastatic Behavior of Both Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells
Verbruggen SW, Nolan J, Duffy MP, Pearce OMT, Jacobs CR, Knight MM
Advanced Science, Wiley vol. 11 (2), 2305842-2305842.  
15-11-2023
Opposing roles for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14 in myofibroblast differentiation and function
Carter EP, Yoneten KK, Gavara N, Tyler EJ, Gauthier V, Murray ER, Dijke PT, Cameron AJ et al.
The Journal of Pathology, Wiley vol. 262 (1), 90-104.  
06-11-2023
Opposing roles for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14 in myofibroblast differentiation and function
Carter E, Yoneten K, Gavara N, Tyler E, Gauthier V, Murray E, Dijke PT, Cameron A et al.
Pancreatology, Elsevier vol. 23 (4), e13-e14.  
01-06-2023
Extracellular matrix educates an immunoregulatory tumor macrophage phenotype found in ovarian cancer metastasis
Puttock EH, Tyler EJ, Manni M, Maniati E, Butterworth C, Burger Ramos M, Peerani E, Hirani P et al.
Nature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 14 (1) 
15-05-2023
Abstract 5841: Exploring the role of versican in immune exclusion within triple negative breast cancer
Hirani P, Alonge KM, Pennington DJ, Cutillas PR, Wight TN, Pearce OM
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 83 (7_Supplement), 5841-5841.  
04-04-2023
Abstract 1339: Targeting specific extracellular matrix proteins to reactivate T cell trafficking in triple-negative breast cancer
Gauthier V, Tyler E, Sharp TV
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 83 (7_Supplement), 1339-1339.  
04-04-2023
Organ-on-a-Chip and Microfluidic Platforms for Oncology in the UK
Nolan J, Pearce OMT, Screen HRC, Knight MM, Verbruggen SW
Cancers, Mdpi vol. 15 (3) 
19-01-2023

2022

YAP activation inhibits inflammatory signalling and cartilage breakdown associated with reduced primary cilia expression
Meng H, Fu S, Ferreira MB, Hou Y, Pearce OM, Gavara N, Knight MM
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, Elsevier vol. 31 (5), 600-612.  
08-11-2022
Targeting cancer glycosylation repolarizes tumor-associated macrophages allowing effective immune checkpoint blockade
Stanczak MA, Rodrigues Mantuano N, Kirchhammer N, Sanin DE, Jacob F, Coelho R, Everest-Dass AV, Wang J et al.
Science Translational Medicine, American Association For The Advancement of Science (Aaas) vol. 14 (669), eabj1270-eabj1270.  
02-11-2022
Editorial: Glycans: Masters of immunity, from cancers to inflammatory disease
Beatson R, Läubli H, Pearce OMT, Reis CA
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers vol. 13 
17-08-2022
Multi-Scale Analysis of the Composition, Structure, and Function of Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Human Skin and Wound Healing Models
Sarmin AM, Moussaid NE, Suntornnond R, Tyler EJ, Kim Y-H, Di Cio S, Megone WV, Pearce O et al.
Biomolecules, Mdpi vol. 12 (6) 
16-06-2022
Building in vitro 3D human multicellular models of high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Malacrida B, Pearce OMT, Balkwill FR
Star Protocols, Elsevier vol. 3 (1) 
11-01-2022
Disruption of pancreatic stellate cell myofibroblast phenotype promotes pancreatic tumor invasion
Murray ER, Menezes S, Henry JC, Williams JL, Alba-Castellón L, Baskaran P, Quétier I, Desai A et al.
Cell Reports, Elsevier vol. 38 (4) 
01-01-2022

2021

TGFBI Production by Macrophages Contributes to an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Ovarian CancerTGFBI and Ovarian Cancer
Lecker LSM, Berlato C, Maniati E, Delaine-Smith R, Pearce OMT, Heath O, Nichols SJ, Trevisan C et al.
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 81 (22), 5706-5719.  
24-09-2021
Targeting Versican as a Potential Immunotherapeutic Strategy in the Treatment of Cancer
Hirani P, Gauthier V, Allen CE, Wight TN, Pearce OMT
Frontiers in Oncology, Frontiers vol. 11 
30-08-2021
Abstract 2642: Using 3-Dimensional in vitro models to unravel the complexity of the metastatic microenvironment in high-grade serous ovarian cancer
Malacrida B, Delaine-Smith R, Nichols S, Maniati E, Jones RL, Knight MM, Pearce OM, Balkwill FR
 
01-07-2021
Mechanical Stimulation Modulates Osteocyte Regulation of Cancer Cell Phenotype
Verbruggen SW, Thompson CL, Duffy MP, Lunetto S, Nolan J, Pearce OMT, Jacobs CR, Knight MM
Cancers, Mdpi vol. 13 (12) 
10-06-2021
A human multi-cellular model shows how platelets drive production of diseased extracellular matrix and tissue invasion
Malacrida B, Nichols S, Maniati E, Jones R, Delanie-Smith R, Roozitalab R, Tyler EJ, Thomas M et al.
Iscience, Elsevier vol. 24 (6) 
29-05-2021
Modelling TGFβR and Hh pathway regulation of prognostic matrisome molecules in ovarian cancer
Delaine-Smith RM, Maniati E, Malacrida B, Nichols S, Roozitalab R, Jones RR, Lecker LSM, Pearce OMT et al.
Iscience, Elsevier vol. 24 (6) 
29-05-2021
Modelling TGFβR and Hh pathway regulation of prognostic matrisome molecules in ovarian cancer
Delaine-Smith R, Maniati E, Malacrida B, Nichols S, Roozitalab R, Jones R, Lecker L, Pearce O et al.
Biorxiv.Org 
02-02-2021
Basement membrane stiffness determines metastases formation
Reuten R, Zendehroud S, Nicolau M, Fleischhauer L, Laitala A, Kiderlen S, Nikodemus D, Wullkopf L et al.
Nature Materials, Springer Nature vol. 20 (6), 892-903.  
25-01-2021

2020

A Sweet Approach to Heat Up Cancer Response to Immunotherapy
Pearce OMT, Läubli H
Cancer Discovery, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 10 (12), 1789-1790.  
01-12-2020
FAK activity in cancer-associated fibroblasts is a prognostic marker and a druggable key metastatic player in pancreatic cancer
Zaghdoudi S, Decaup E, Belhabib I, Samain R, Cassant-Sourdy S, Rochotte J, Brunel A, Schlaepfer D et al.
Embo Molecular Medicine vol. 12 (11) 
06-11-2020
FAK activity in cancer‐associated fibroblasts is a prognostic marker and a druggable key metastatic player in pancreatic cancer
Zaghdoudi S, Decaup E, Belhabib I, Samain R, Cassant‐Sourdy S, Rochotte J, Brunel A, Schlaepfer D et al.
Embo Molecular Medicine, Springer Nature vol. 12 (11) 
07-10-2020
Versican—A Critical Extracellular Matrix Regulator of Immunity and Inflammation
Wight TN, Kang I, Evanko SP, Harten IA, Chang MY, Pearce OMT, Allen CE, Frevert CW
Frontiers in Immunology, Frontiers Media vol. 11 
24-03-2020
Mouse Ovarian Cancer Models Recapitulate the Human Tumor Microenvironment and Patient Response to Treatment
Maniati E, Berlato C, Gopinathan G, Heath O, Kotantaki P, Lakhani A, McDermott J, Pegrum C et al.
Ssrn Electronic Journal, Elsevier Bv 
14-01-2020

2018

Characterization of the Extracellular Matrix of Normal and Diseased Tissues Using Proteomics
Naba A, Pearce OMT, Del Rosario A, Ma D, Ding H, Rajeeve V, Cutillas PR, Balkwill FR et al.
Journal of Proteome Research vol. 16 (8), 3083-3091.  
01-12-2018
Abstract A31: Mutant p53 increases integrin-ECM interactions in early HGSOC
Lecker LS, Trevisan C, Delaine-Smith R, Maniati E, Pearce O, Meinert C, Iwanicki M, Drapkin R et al.
 
01-08-2018
Cancer Immunotherapy
Pearce OMT
Glycobiology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 28 (9), 638-639.  
10-07-2018
Cancer glycan epitopes: biosynthesis, structure, and function.
Pearce OM
Glycobiology 
13-03-2018
Investigating the tumour ECM in the inhibition of anti-tumour immunity
Puttock E, Rastrick J, White A
 
01-01-2018
Investigating drivers of the tumour matrisome, and their role in disease progression
Pearce OMT, Nichols S, Delaine-Smith R, Jones RR, Maniati E, Rootizalab R, Mackerodt J, Knight MM et al.
 
01-01-2018

2017

Deconstruction of a metastatic tumor microenvironment reveals a common matrix response in human cancers.
Pearce OMT, Delaine-Smith R, Maniati E, Nichols S, Wang J, Böhm S, Rajeeve V, Ullah D et al.
Cancer Discov 
01-12-2017
N-glycolyl groups of nonhuman chondroitin sulfates survive in ancient fossils.
Bergfeld AK, Lawrence R, Diaz SL, Pearce OMT, Ghaderi D, Gagneux P, Leakey MG, Varki A
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A vol. 114 (39), E8155-E8164.  
26-09-2017
Abstract 5558: Deconstruction of a human tumor microenvironment
Balkwill FR, Pearce OM, Delaine-Smith R, Maniati E, Nichols S, Wang J, Bessant C, Knight M
 
01-07-2017

2016

A strong B cell response is part of the immune landscape in human high-grade serous ovarian metastases.
Montfort A, Pearce OMT, Maniati E, Vincent B, Bixby LM, Bo hm S, Dowe T, Wilkes EH et al.
Clinical Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research 
27-06-2016
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy modulates the immune microenvironment in metastases of tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma
BALKWILL F, Anne Montfort, Oliver Pearce
Clinical Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research 
01-04-2016

2015

Sialic acids in cancer biology and immunity
Pearce OMT, Läubli H
Glycobiology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 26 (2), 111-128.  
30-10-2015
Interleukin-6 Stimulates Defective Angiogenesis
Gopinathan G, Milagre C, Pearce OMT, Reynolds LE, Hodivala-Dilke K, Leinster DA, Zhong H, Hollingsworth RE et al.
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 75 (15), 3098-3107.  
01-08-2015
Abstract 4162: Interleukin–6 stimulates defective angiogenesis
Gopinathan G, Milagre C, Pearce OMT, Reynolds L, Hodivala-Dilke K, Zhong H, Hollingsworth RE
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 75 (15_Supplement), 4162-4162.  
01-08-2015
Rapid Trimming of Cell Surface Polysialic Acid (PolySia) by Exovesicular Sialidase Triggers Release of Preexisting Surface Neurotrophin*
Sumida M, Hane M, Yabe U, Shimoda Y, Pearce OMT, Kiso M, Miyagi T, Sawada M et al.
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 290 (21), 13202-13214.  
06-03-2015
Reply to Mackenzie: A comparison of Neu5Gc and α-gal xenoantigens
Pearce OMT, Samraj AN, Läubli H, Varki NM, Varki A
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences vol. 112 (12), e1405-e1405.  
20-02-2015
Siglec receptors impact mammalian lifespan by modulating oxidative stress
Schwarz F, Pearce OM, Wang X, Samraj AN, Läubli H, Garcia JO, Lin H, Fu X et al.
Elife, Elife vol. 4 
01-01-2015

2014

A red meat-derived glycan promotes inflammation and cancer progression
Samraj AN, Pearce OMT, Läubli H, Crittenden AN, Bergfeld AK, Banda K, Gregg CJ, Bingman AE et al.
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences vol. 112 (2), 542-547.  
29-12-2014
Abstract 3659: Engagement of myelomonocytic siglecs by tumor-associated ligands modulates innate immune responses to cancer
Läubli H, Pearce OMT, Schwarz F, Deng L, Stanczak M, Verhagen A, Lusk C, Varki N et al.
 
01-10-2014
Abstract 1063: Inverse hormesis of cancer growth mediated by narrow ranges of tumor-directed antibodies
Pearce OMT, Läubli H, Verhagen A, Secrest P, Zhang J, Crocker PR, Varki N, Bui J et al.
 
01-10-2014
Abstract LB-156: A diet-derived sialic acid promotes inflammation and hepatocellular cancer
Samraj AN, Laubli H, Pearce O, Secrest P, Varki A
 
01-10-2014
Engagement of myelomonocytic Siglecs by tumor-associated ligands modulates the innate immune response to cancer
Läubli H, Pearce OMT, Schwarz F, Siddiqui SS, Deng L, Stanczak MA, Deng L, Verhagen A et al.
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences vol. 111 (39), 14211-14216.  
15-09-2014
Hormesis in cancer immunology
Pearce OM, Läubli H, Bui J, Varki A
Oncoimmunology, Taylor & Francis vol. 3 (6) 
01-06-2014
Inverse hormesis of cancer growth mediated by narrow ranges of tumor-directed antibodies
Pearce OMT, Läubli H, Verhagen A, Secrest P, Zhang J, Varki NM, Crocker PR, Bui JD et al.
Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences of The United States of America, Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences vol. 111 (16), 5998-6003.  
07-04-2014
Discovery of novel monosaccharides in animal glycans: natural occurrence of N‐glycolylhexosamines (607.6)
Bergfeld A, Lawrence R, Diaz S, Pearce O, van Vleet J, Esko J, Choudhury B, Varki A
The Faseb Journal, Wiley vol. 28 (S1) 
01-04-2014

2013

Enhanced T Cell Function in a Mouse Model of Human Glycosylation
Buchlis G, Odorizzi P, Soto PC, Pearce OMT, Hui DJ, Jordan MS, Varki A, Wherry EJ et al.
The Journal of Immunology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 191 (1), 228-237.  
01-07-2013

2012

Metabolism of Vertebrate Amino Sugars with N-Glycolyl Groups ELUCIDATING THE INTRACELLULAR FATE OF THE NON-HUMAN SIALIC ACID N-GLYCOLYLNEURAMINIC ACID*
Bergfeld AK, Pearce OMT, Diaz SL, Pham T, Varki A
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 287 (34), 28865-28881.  
12-06-2012
Metabolism of Vertebrate Amino Sugars with N-Glycolyl Groups RESISTANCE OF α2–8-LINKED N-GLYCOLYLNEURAMINIC ACID TO ENZYMATIC CLEAVAGE*
Davies LRL, Pearce OMT, Tessier MB, Assar S, Smutova V, Pajunen M, Sumida M, Sato C et al.
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 287 (34), 28917-28931.  
12-06-2012
Metabolism of Vertebrate Amino Sugars with N-Glycolyl Groups INCORPORATION OF N-GLYCOLYLHEXOSAMINES INTO MAMMALIAN GLYCANS BY FEEDING N-GLYCOLYLGALACTOSAMINE*
Bergfeld AK, Pearce OMT, Diaz SL, Lawrence R, Vocadlo DJ, Choudhury B, Esko JD, Varki A
Journal of Biological Chemistry, Elsevier vol. 287 (34), 28898-28916.  
12-06-2012
Intracellular fate of the non‐human sialic acid N‐glycolylneuraminic acid
Bergfeld AK, Pearce OMT, Diaz S, Pham T
 
01-04-2012
Unusual chemical and enzymatic stability of polysialic acid containing N‐glycolylneuraminic acid
Davies L, Pearce O, Tessier M, Assar S, Smutova V, Varki A
The Faseb Journal, Wiley vol. 26 (S1), 610.1-610.1.  
01-04-2012
Natural occurrence of N-glycolyl-hexosamines in chondroitin/dermatan sulfates in mammalian tissues, derived from the metabolism of N-glycolylneuraminic acid
Bergfeld AK, Diaz SL, Lawrence R, Esko JD
 
01-01-2012

2010

Intrinsically Hyperactive and Hyperproliferative CD8+ T Cells In Cmah-/- Mice as a Model of Human Gene Transfer Responses.
Buchlis G, Mingozzi F, Soto PC, Pearce O, Hui DJ
Blood, American Society of Hematology vol. 116 (21) 
19-11-2010
Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of the carbohydrate antigen N-glycolylneuraminic acid from glucose
Pearce OMT, Varki A
Carbohydrate Research, Elsevier vol. 345 (9), 1225-1229.  
09-04-2010

2005

Glycoviruses: Chemical Glycosylation Retargets Adenoviral Gene Transfer
Pearce OMT, Fisher KD, Humphries J, Seymour LW, Smith A, Davis BG
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 44 (7), 1057-1061.  
01-02-2005
Cover Picture: Glycoviruses: Chemical Glycosylation Retargets Adenoviral Gene Transfer (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 7/2005)
Pearce OMT, Fisher KD, Humphries J, Seymour LW
Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Wiley vol. 44 (7), 983-983.  
01-02-2005
Titelbild: Glycoviruses: Chemical Glycosylation Retargets Adenoviral Gene Transfer (Angew. Chem. 7/2005)
Pearce OMT, Fisher KD, Smith A
Angewandte Chemie, Wiley vol. 117 (7), 1005-1005.  
01-02-2005

Targeting cancer glycosylation repolarizes tumor-associated macrophages allowing effective immune checkpoint blockade
In Biorxiv 
Extracellular matrix educates a tumor macrophage phenotype found in ovarian cancer metastasis
Puttock EH, Tyler EJ, Manni M, Maniati E, Butterworth C, Peerani E, Hirani P, Gauthier V et al.
In Biorxiv 
Opposing roles for ADAMTS2 and ADAMTS14 in myofibroblast differentiation and function
Carter EP, Yoneten KK, Gavara N, Tyler EJ, Gauthier V, Murray ER, Cameron AJ, Pearce O et al.
In Biorxiv 

Grants

solid heart iconGrants of specific relevance to Predictive in vitro Models
solid heart iconEpigenetic targeting in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to overcome resistance to ICB
Oliver Pearce
£252,508 Barts and the London Charity
01-09-2023 - 31-08-2026
solid heart iconEpigenetic targeting of cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to
Oliver Pearce and Angus Cameron
£390,550 Barts and the London Charity
01-06-2023 - 31-05-2026
solid heart iconRestoring response to immunotherapy by targeting the extracellular matrix
Oliver Pearce
£813,041 CR-UK Cancer Research UK
01-07-2019 - 31-12-2025

bullet iconNeobe Stipend Topup to MRC iCASE
Oliver Pearce
£9,889 NEOBE THERAPEUTICS LTD
26-03-2025 - 30-09-2025
solid heart iconLaverock - Tumour models
Oliver Pearce, Elly Tyler, Marcos Burger Ramos and Katie Thornton
£121,315 Laverock Therapeutics Ltd
24-04-2024 - 30-09-2025
solid heart iconKTP with LiftBioSciences: 3D TME model to study neutrophil cytotoxicity (PI: Luigi Ombrato)
Luigi Ombrato and Oliver Pearce
£232,790 Innovate UK
30-08-2023 - 29-08-2025
bullet iconIdentifying a breast ageing ECM signature to inform a 3D ageing tissue model.
Elly Tyler and Oliver Pearce
£4,897 BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
01-04-2023 - 31-12-2023
bullet iconIdentifying opportunities for targeting HLA-G immune checkpoint axis
Oliver Pearce and David Propper
£189,483 UCB Pharma SPRL
02-05-2022 - 01-05-2023
bullet iconEngineering a new versican remodeling recombinant bacterial product to enable immunotherapy success in triple negative breast cancer
Oliver Pearce
£133,227 Innovate UK
01-05-2022 - 30-04-2024
solid heart iconOrgan-on-a-chip model of breast cancer bone metastases
Martin Knight and Oliver Pearce
£268,711 CR-UK Cancer Research UK
01-01-2021 - 30-06-2024
bullet iconInvestigating how versican structure relates to its immunological function - tuition fees
Oliver Pearce
£17,500 Against Breast Cancer
01-10-2020 - 30-09-2024
bullet iconCiTI-Pro-senescence therapies for basal-like breast cancer: A novel therapeutic innovation
Cleo Bishop, Oliver Pearce and John Connelly
£242,221 Barts and the London Charity
01-07-2020 - 31-05-2024
bullet iconInvestigating how versican structure relates to its immunological function
Oliver Pearce
£141,847 Barts and the London Charity
01-10-2019 - 30-09-2023
bullet iconCharacterising the glycan shield of the tumour extracellular matrix
Oliver Pearce
£45,256 Against Breast Cancer
01-01-2018 - 31-12-2018
bullet iconInvestigating the tumour extracellular matrix in the inhibition of anti-tumour imunity
Oliver Pearce and Fran Balkwill
£113,891 UCB Pharma SPRL
01-10-2017 - 28-02-2021