Myrofora Panagi, PhD
Senior Postdoctoral Fellow & Group Leader at the Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, University of Cyprus.
18
h-index
>1,630
Citations
20+
Publications
6
Years in Research
Skills & Expertise
18
h-index
>1,630
Citations
20+
Publications
6
Years in Research
Education
2014 – 2020
PhD in Biomedical Sciences
University of Cyprus, Cyprus
2011 – 2012
MSc in Oncology
University of Nottingham, UK
2008 – 2011
BSc in Biological Sciences
University of Leicester, UK
Professional Experience
2022 – Present
Group Leader
Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cyprus
Teaching Experience
- check_circle Scientific Collaborator, School of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus (2022–2024)
- check_circle Teaching Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cyprus (2014–2015)
2020 – 2022
Postdoctoral Fellow
Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cyprus
2018 – 2020
Special Scientist
Cancer Biophysics Laboratory, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cyprus
Research Projects
OMV-based mRNA vaccines
Engineering E. coli-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as multifunctional delivery platforms for simultaneous antigen delivery and immune checkpoint blockade.
Co-funded by the European Union within the framework of the Cohesion Policy Programme "THALIA 2021–2027" through the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus.
Precision Oncology & Machine Learning
Combining LNP-mRNA vaccines with immune checkpoint inhibition and applying machine learning tools, driven by ultrasound shear wave elastography, to predict tumor response to therapy.
Funded by the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus.
Live Bacterial Biotherapeutics
Developing programmable live biotherapeutics that express extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes to remodel the tumor stroma and sensitize solid tumors to immune checkpoint inhibition therapy. In collaboration with Neobe Therapeutics Ltd (London, UK).
Funded by the European Union under the ERC Proof of Concept programme.
Tumor Microenvironment Normalization
Drug repurposing strategies, including antihistamines, antifibrotics, angiotensin II receptor blockers, corticosteroids, and endothelin receptor antagonists, to reprogram the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and improve immunotherapy efficacy. In collaboration with Materia Therapeutics and the University of Tokyo Innovation Center of Nanomedicine.
Translational & Clinical Research
Bridging laboratory discoveries to clinical application-Phase II trial for the use of ketotifen to enhance therapy in patients with sarcoma receiving standard chemotherapy (EudraCT 2022-002311-39).
Patents
Cancer treatment using bosentan in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor
US2024/002317 A1 · Non-provisional filing 10/12/2021Cancer treatment using ketotifen in combination with a checkpoint inhibitor
PCT/US2022/081197 · Non-provisional filing 08/12/2022Polymeric micelle medicines for nano-immunotherapy
JP2022-139984 · Provisional filing 02/09/2022Selected Publications
2024 | Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
Programmable bacteria act as live biotherapeutics to remodel tumor stroma and potentiate immunotherapy
Panagi M., et al. (2024). Molecular Cancer Therapeutics (conditionally accepted), Research Square.
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5070038/v1 open_in_new2024 | Clinical Cancer Research
Stabilizing tumor resident mast cells restores T cell infiltration and sensitizes sarcomas to PD-L1 inhibition
Panagi M., et al. (2024). Clinical Cancer Research.
DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-0246 open_in_new2022 | Nature Communications
Polymeric micelles increase tumor microenvironment reprogramming efficiency to potentiate nano-immunotherapy
Panagi M., et al. (2022). Nature Communications.
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34744-1 open_in_new2019 | ACS Nano
Dexamethasone increases cisplatin-loaded nanocarrier delivery and efficacy in metastatic breast cancer by normalizing the tumor microenvironment
Martin JD, Panagi M., et al. (2019). ACS Nano.
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b07865 open_in_new2020 | Theranostics
TGF-β inhibition combined with cytotoxic nanomedicine normalizes triple-negative breast cancer microenvironment towards antitumor immunity
Panagi M., et al. (2020). Theranostics.
DOI: 10.7150/thno.36936 open_in_newInternational Engagements
EACR, Next Generation Immunotherapies
Oral Presentation · 24–25 Feb 2026 · Virtual
19th European Molecular Imaging Meeting (EMIM)
Oral Presentation · 12–15 Mar 2024 · Portugal
NanoTME Conference
Oral Presentation · 8–10 May 2023 · University of Twente, The Netherlands
EACR Annual Meeting
Poster Presentation · 20–23 Jun 2022 · Seville, Spain
AACR Annual Meeting
Online Poster · 8–13 Apr 2022 · New Orleans, USA
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory – Biology of Cancer
Online Poster · 12–15 Oct 2021
SB3C Conference
Online Podium · 14–18 Jun 2021
ISREC-SCCL Symposium 2018
Poster · 8–11 Sep 2018 · EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland
4th Intl. Conference on Model Hosts – Aegean Conferences
Oral Presentation · 22–27 Sep 2017 · Rhodes, Greece
Awards & Recognition
2021
SB3C Diversity Participation Award
Summer Biomechanics, Bioengineering, and Biotransport (SB3C) conference (USA, 2021).
2017
Best Student Presentation Award
4th International Conference on Model Hosts, organized by Aegean Conferences (Greece, 2017), in recognition of the excellence and impact of my research in the field.
Get in Touch
Open to research discussions, speaking engagements, and collaborative projects in cancer biophysics and immunotherapy.