Hema Now | Episode 15
In this episode of Hema Now, Jonathan Sackier is joined by John Riches, Clinical Reader in Cancer Immunometabolism at the Barts Cancer Institute and Honorary Consultant Haemato-oncologist. They explore how metabolic shifts drive lymphoma progression, the potential of immunotherapy, and what the future holds for treating lymphoid malignancies.
Spotify | Apple | Amazon Music | YouTube | Download MP3 (40 mins)
John Riches
John Riches is a Clinical Reader in Cancer Immunometabolism at the Barts Cancer Institute and an Honorary Consultant Haemato-oncologist at Barts Health NHS Trust. After earning his MD from Oxford University Medical School, he trained in haematology at Imperial College London and completed a PhD at Queen Mary University of London, supported by a Cancer Research UK Clinical Research Fellowship.
Riches’ research focuses on the metabolic reprogramming of B cells during activation and lymphoma development. His early work investigated impaired T cell immunity in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, specifically the effects of lenalidomide on T cell function. He has also contributed key insights into the role of genetic changes like MYC and p53 mutations in the transformation of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia to Richter’s syndrome. Riches is deeply involved in the development of immunotherapy and targeted therapies for lymphoid cancers, and has a growing interest in the wider implications of B cell metabolism for autoimmune diseases.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction
01:46 – Riches’ journey into haematology
03:42 – What is T cell exhaustion?
07:06 – The key role of metabolism in lymphoma
09:33 – Richter’s syndrome
13:17 – Breakthroughs in immunotherapy
20:27 – The challenges of translational research
25:39 – B cells in autoimmune diseases
28:16 – The potential of breath biopsy
32:58 – Riches’ three wishes for healthcare
