The role of novel mast cell-derived SAMD14 in prostate cancer progression and tumour immunity

Mast cell infiltration is associated with poor patient outcomes from solid cancers, but these rare cells have never been isolated from patient tumours. By being the first to isolate and profile mast cells from prostate cancer tissue, I identified SAMD14 as a novel regulator of mast cell phenotype and function. Using a new multicellular model of the tumour microenvironment, I demonstrated that SAMD14 regulates the mast cell secretome, causing changes in extracellular matrix deposition by fibroblasts and the morphology of prostate epithelial cells. Therefore, my work demonstrates a previously under-appreciated role for mast cells in promoting the progression of prostate cancer.