Washington University in St Louis · BiologyBreast Cancer Microenvironment Lab
Sheila A Stewart · Saint Louis, Missouri
Research Focus
Dr. Sheila A Stewart's lab at Washington University focuses on understanding how specific types of cells in the breast cancer environment, especially senescent cancer-associated fibroblasts (senCAFs), contribute to the progression of breast cancer. By studying the interactions between these cells and tumor cells, the lab seeks to uncover new strategies for improving cancer treatments. Their research aims to reveal how senCAFs alter the immune response and the physical properties of the tissue around tumors, potentially opening avenues for innovative therapies.
breast cancercancer-associated fibroblastssenescent cellstumor microenvironmentmetastasisimmune responseextracellular matrixcancer progressiontherapeuticsbiophysical properties
Research Aims
3AIM 01Investigate the role of senescent CAFs in breast cancer recurrence and progression.
AIM 02Analyze the effects of senCAFs on the extracellular matrix and tumor cell migration.
AIM 03Examine how senCAFs influence natural killer (NK) cell function in breast cancer.
Skills the Lab Values
immunological techniquesgenetically engineered mouse modelscell culturetumor cell migration assaysin vivo imagingAtomic Force Microscopy (AFM)data analysisflow cytometrytranslational research3D tissue modeling
Output against the department
Publications343top 15% of dept.150th of 1,033
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations19ktop 21% of dept.217th of 1,033
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.