Dr Panoraia Kotantaki
Postdoctoral Researcher
BCI/Centre for Tumour Microenvironment/Prof Frances Balkwill group
Barts Cancer Institute
Barts Cancer Institute
Research
Bone Marrow Organoids, Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Haematopoiesis, Tumour Microenvironment, Extracellular Matrix, AMs and NAMs, Metastasis, 3D in vitro models
Interests
My research focuses on developing human bone marrow organoids as patient-specific models to study breast cancer metastasis to bone. Previously, I investigated the ovarian tumour microenvironment, particularly the extracellular matrix and its response to treatment, using patient biopsies, pre-clinical and in vitro models. I have extensive experience developing and characterising both animal and non-animal models, including complete and conditional knockout mice, as well as advanced 3D culture systems eg collagen gels, tricultures and tetracultures. My expertise spans stem cell and developmental biology, molecular immunology and haematopoiesis. I am currently working in the group of Professor F.BalkwillPublications
2026
3D pentaculture model unveils malignant cell-driven macrophage polarization in high-grade serous ovarian cancerMalacrida B, Elorbany S, Laforêts F, Karim F, Bryan-Ravenscroft RC, Sideris M, Joy JD, Kotantaki P et al.
Nature Communications, Springer Nature vol. 17 (1)
25-03-2026
Matrix structure and microenvironment dynamics correlate with chemotherapy response in ovarian cancerLaforêts F, Kotantaki P, Elorbany S, Hartlebury J, Joy JD, Malacrida B, Bryan-Ravenscroft RC, Berlato C et al.
Iscience, Elsevier vol. 29 (3)
09-02-2026
2024
Human 3D Ovarian Cancer Models Reveal Malignant Cell–Intrinsic and –Extrinsic Factors That Influence CAR T-cell ActivityJoy JD, Malacrida B, Laforêts F, Kotantaki P, Maniati E, Manchanda R, Annibaldi A, Hopkins S et al.
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 84 (15), 2432-2449.
31-05-2024
Abstract B079: Human 3D ovarian cancer models reveal malignant cell intrinsic and extrinsic factors that influence CAR-T cell activityJoy JD, Malacrida B, Laforets F, Kotantaki P, Maniati E, Manchanda R, Hopkins S, Garrobo-Calleja I et al.
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 84 (5_Supplement_2), b079-b079.
04-03-2024
2023
Abstract 5957: Chemotherapy-induced extracellular matrix remodeling in HGSOCKotantaki P, Laforêts F, Maniati E, Berlato C, Malliouri A, Devlin MJ, Malacrida B, Elorbany S et al.
04-04-2023
Abstract 5913: Semi-supervised analysis of myeloid and T cell behavior in ex vivo ovarian tumor slices reveals changes in cell motility after treatmentsLaforets F, Kotantaki P, Malacrida B, Elorbany S, Manchanda R, Donnadieu E, Balkwill F
04-04-2023
Abstract 4576: 3D in vitro models uncover malignant cell intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of CAR-T cell resistance in high grade serous ovarian cancerJoy JD, Malacrida B, Laforêts F, Kotantaki P, Maniati E, Hopkins S, Garrobo-Calleja I, Gautrot J et al.
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 83 (7_Supplement), 4576-4576.
04-04-2023
Semi-supervised analysis of myeloid and T cell behavior in ex vivo ovarian tumor slices reveals changes in cell motility after treatmentsLaforêts F, Kotantaki P, Malacrida B, Elorbany S, Manchanda R, Donnadieu E, Balkwill F
Iscience, Elsevier vol. 26 (4)
29-03-2023
2022
The tumour microenvironment of clear cell ovarian cancerDevlin M-J, Miller R, Laforets F, Kotantaki P, Garsed DW, Kristeleit R, Bowtell DD, McDermott J et al.
Cancer Immunology Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 10 (11), 1326-1339.
12-09-2022
Abstract 693: TGFβ-mediated targeting of the extracellular matrix enhances the migration and cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells in 3D models of ovarian cancerJoy JD, Malacrida B, Laforêts F, Kotantaki P, Maniati E, Hopkins S, Calleja I, Brett S et al.
Cancer Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 82 (12_Supplement), 693-693.
15-06-2022
Disruption of pancreatic stellate cell myofibroblast phenotype promotes pancreatic tumor invasionMurray 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
Semi-Supervised Analysis of Myeloid and T Cell Behaviour in ex vivo Ovarian Tumour Slices Reveals Changes in Cell Motility After TreatmentsLaforêts F, Kotantaki P, Malacrida B, Elorbany S, Manchanda R, Donnadieu E, Balkwill F
01-01-2022
TGFß-mediated targeting of the extracellular matrix enhances the migration and cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells in 3D models of ovarian cancerJoy JD, Malacrida B, Laforets F, Kotantaki P, Maniati E, Hopkins S, Calleja I, Brett S et al.
01-01-2022
2021
Abstract 2748: Impact of ARID1A mutation on the tumor microenvironment of advanced clear cell ovarian cancerDevlin M-J, Kristeleit RS, McDermott J, Maniati E, Laforêts F, Kotantaki P, Miller R, Balkwill F
01-07-2021
Abstract 2745: Murine high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) models replicate the human tumor microenvironment and suggest anti-tumor activities of macrophages after chemotherapyBerlato C, Heath O, Maniati E, Gopinathan G, Kotantaki P, Elorbany S, McDermott J, Pegrum C et al.
01-07-2021
Chemotherapy Induces Tumor-Associated Macrophages that Aid Adaptive Immune Responses in Ovarian CancerHeath O, Berlato C, Maniati E, Lakhani A, Pegrum C, Kotantaki P, Elorbany S, Böhm S et al.
Cancer Immunology Research, American Association For Cancer Research (Aacr) vol. 9 (6), 665-681.
10-04-2021
Murine high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) models replicate the human tumor microenvironment and suggest anti-tumor activities of macrophages after chemotherapy.Berlato C, Heath O, Maniati E, Gopinathan G, Kotantaki P, Elorbany S, McDermott J, Pegrum C et al.
01-01-2021
Impact of ARID1A mutation on the tumor microenvironment of advanced clear cell ovarian cancer.Devlin M-J, Kristeleit RS, McDermott J, Maniati E, Laforets F, Kotantaki P, Miller R, Balkwill F
01-01-2021
2020
Mouse Ovarian Cancer Models Recapitulate the Human Tumor Microenvironment and Patient Response to TreatmentManiati E, Berlato C, Gopinathan G, Heath O, Kotantaki P, Lakhani A, McDermott J, Pegrum C et al.
Cell Reports, Elsevier vol. 30 (2), 525-540.e7.
01-01-2020
2019
Mouse Ovarian Cancer Models Recapitulate the Human Tumor Microenvironment and Patient Response to TreatmentManiati E, Berlato C, Gopinathan G, Heath O, Kotantaki P, Lakhani A, McDermott J, Pegrum C et al.
, Elsevier
01-01-2019
2016
The expression of tumor suppressor gene Cyld is upregulated by histone deacetylace inhibitors in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell linesKotantaki P, Mosialos G
Cell Biochemistry and Function, Wiley vol. 34 (7), 465-468.
29-08-2016
Inactivation of CYLD in intestinal epithelial cells exacerbates colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis - a short reportKaratzas DN, Xanthopoulos K, Kotantaki P, Pseftogas A, Teliousis K, Hatzivassiliou EG, Kontoyiannis DL, Poutahidis T et al.
Cellular Oncology, Springer Nature vol. 39 (3), 287-293.
04-04-2016
2014
Geminin deletion increases the number of fetal hematopoietic stem cells by affecting the expression of key transcription factorsKaramitros D, Patmanidi AL, Kotantaki P, Potocnik AJ, Bähr-Ivacevic T, Benes V, Lygerou Z, Kioussis D et al.
Development, The Company of Biologists vol. 142 (1), 70-81.
16-12-2014
CYLD downregulation in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells antagonizes p53-mediated apoptosisKotantaki P, Mosialos G
01-01-2014
2012
Reduced Geminin levels promote cellular senescenceIliou MS, Kotantaki P, Karamitros D, Spella M, Taraviras S, Lygerou Z
Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, Elsevier vol. 134 (1-2), 10-23.
08-11-2012
2011
T Cell Proliferation and Homeostasis: An Emerging Role for the Cell Cycle Inhibitor GemininKaramitros D, Kotantaki P, Lygerou Z, Kioussis D, Taraviras S
Critical Reviews in Immunology, Begell House vol. 31 (3), 209-231.
01-01-2011
2010
Life without gemininKaramitros D, Kotantaki P, Lygerou Z, Veiga-Fernandes H, Pachnis V, Kioussis D, Taraviras S
Cell Cycle, Taylor & Francis vol. 9 (16), 3201-3205.
15-08-2010
Differential Geminin Requirement for Proliferation of Thymocytes and Mature T CellsKaramitros D, Kotantaki P, Lygerou Z, Veiga-Fernandes H, Pachnis V, Kioussis D, Taraviras S
The Journal of Immunology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 184 (5), 2432-2441.
01-03-2010
2008
Cdt1 and Geminin in cancer: markers or triggers of malignant transformation?Petropoulou C, Kotantaki P, Karamitros D, Taraviras S
Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, Imr Press vol. 13 (13), 4485-4494.
01-01-2008
2007
Licensing regulators Geminin and Cdt1 identify progenitor cells of the mouse CNS in a specific phase of the cell cycleSpella M, Britz O, Kotantaki P, Lygerou Z, Nishitani H, Ramsay RG, Flordellis C, Guillemot F et al.
Neuroscience, Elsevier vol. 147 (2), 373-387.
29-05-2007
2006
Investigating geminin's role in the immune systemKotantaki P, Garefalaki A, Petropoulou C, Tolaini M, Lygerou Z, Flordellis C, Kioussis D, Taraviras S
06-06-2006
Matrix structure and microenvironment dynamics correlate with chemotherapy response in ovarian cancerLaforêts F, Kotantaki P, Elorbany S, Hartlebury J, Joy JD, Malacrida B, Bryan-Ravenscroft RC, Berlato C et al.
In Biorxiv