Our overarching aim is to functionally define the cellular elements of a tumor through an innovative set of integrated basic, pre-clinical, translational and clinical studies. Our focus is placed on identifying specialized niches constituted by microenvironmental cell types and investigate their organizational principles, potential as therapeutic targets, and utility as biomarkers for human cancer.
Kristian Pietras
Key Publications
RAB3GAP2 is a regulator of skeletal muscle endothelial cell proliferation and associated with capillary-to-fiber ratio
Cell Reports, 2026
Mesothelial cells promote peritoneal invasion and metastasis of ascites-derived ovarian cancer cells through spheroid formation
Science Advances, 2026
Modeling anti-tumor immune responses using patient-derived melanoma organoids
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy, 2026
Systemic and local decorin levels mirror the clinical course of pancreatic cancer
The Journal of Pathology: Clinical Research, 2026
Spatial and temporal dynamics of cancer-associated fibroblast niches in breast cancer
Breast cancer research : BCR, 2026