Dr Karen Sisley

BSc, PhD

School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Lecturer in Rare Cancers

Karen Sisley
Profile picture of Karen Sisley
k.sisley@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9061
Office: EU21, The Medical School

Full contact details

Dr Karen Sisley
School of Medicine and Population Health
Office: EU21
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Profile

For enquiries please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

Having obtained my PhD from the University of Sheffield in 1992, I continued my active research into rare cancers and as Senior Lecturer I am the lead of the Rare Cancer Research Group (RCRG) with a main focus on ocular tumours and sarcoma, but also with an interest in thyroid and other rare cancers.

Cancer Cell Line Expertise

I have a specialist interest and expertise in the generation of cell lines from rare and common cancers.  To date over 20 cell lines have been generated, with additional variants of some original cell lines.  My group has expertise in working with both commercial and other partners to generate cell lines and/or deliver specific R&D work. Please get in contact for information on our currently available and emerging cell lines, or to discuss potential projects. 

The TUoS licensing website, detailing available cell-lines, can be viewed here:

Current PhD Opportunities:

Research interests

My research interests are the genetic and biological behaviour of uveal melanoma.  Sheffield is one of three national centres for the treatment of uveal melanoma, and I work closely with Professor Ian Rennie and the Sheffield Ocular Oncology Service to establish an active research group investigating how the genetic basis of uveal melanoma underpins its behaviour.

As a group we were instrumental in the introduction of genetic biomarker testing for uveal melanoma and actively continue our investigations in this area. I am also interested in the DNA damage response of uveal melanomas and how we can facilitate new and novel therapeutics.

My research continues to investigate the genetic basis of uveal melanomas but has broadened in recent years to consider how the interaction with the environment affects the way these melanomas develop. I also collaborate and work on another rare tumour, sarcoma and have become actively involved in investigating the genetic characterization of sarcoma and developing a molecular pathological classification suitable for all subtypes.

 As a group, we also have an interest in cancer stem cells and the heterogeneity of tumours.

Current projects

  • Understanding the aggressive behaviour of uveal melanoma, and the potential role that stem cells may have.
  • Determining the key genetic events in the development of uveal melanoma.
  • Investigating how the environment may influence the behaviour and development of uveal melanoma.
  • The molecular pathological classification of sarcomas.
  • Investigating how genetic defects influence sarcoma behaviour.

Within each project area are a number of smaller focussed research projects suitable for development as student projects, although funding is not currently available for these projects.  Interested students are welcome to contact me to discuss the possibilities of undertaking research with the RTRG.

Publications

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Journal articles

  • Vidova L, Sisley K & Valluru M (2025) . ESMO Open, 10, 105721-105721.
  • Carter TJ, Broadfoot J, Coupland SE, Damato B, Evans H, Fenwick S, Khoja L, Krausa T, Lewis R, Nathan P , Modi S et al (2025) . European Journal of Cancer, 228.
  • Manasterski PJ, Danks MR, Thomson JP, Muir M, Lee M, Dawson JC, Amaral AT, Diaz‐Martin J, Moura DS, Martin‐Broto J , Alsaadi A et al (2025) . Molecular Oncology.
  • Edafe O, Leong WS, Sisley K & Balasubramanian SP (2025) . British Journal of Surgery, 112(Supplement_9).
  • Pankova V, Krasny L, Kerrison W, Tam YB, Chadha M, Burns J, Wilding CP, Chen L, Chowdhury A, Perkins E , Lee ATJ et al (2024) . Clinical Cancer Research, 30(15), 3229-3242.
  • Cole LM, Handley J, Claude E, Duckett CJ, Mudhar HS, Sisley K & Clench MR (2021) . Metabolites, 11(8).
  • Doherty RE, Bryant HE, Valluru MK, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2019) . Cancers, 11(9).
  • Mudhar HS, Doherty RE, Salvi SM, Currie ZI, Tan JH & Sisley K (2019) . Ophthalmology, 126(7), 1045-1052.
  • Kopsidas K, Mudhar H, Sisley K, Hammond DW, Worthington L, Suvarna K, Foran B & Salvi S (2019) . Ocular Oncology and Pathology, 5(2), 79-84.
  • van Poppelen NM, Vaarwater J, Mudhar HS, Sisley K, van den Bosch QCC, de Klein A, Kiliç E & Verdijk RM (2018) . Ophthalmology, 125(11), e79-e80.
  • van Poppelen NM, Vaarwater J, Mudhar HS, Sisley K, Rennie IG, Rundle P, Brands T, van den Bosch QCC, Mensink HW, de Klein A , Kiliç E et al (2018) . Ophthalmology, 125(6), 904-912.
  • Salawu A, Wright K, Al-Kathiri A, Wyld L, Reed M & Sisley K (2018) . Sarcoma, 2018.
  • Doherty RE, Sisley K, Hammond DW, Rennie IG & Cross NA (2017) . Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 58(12), 5387-5395.
  • Salawu A, Fernando M, Hughes D, Reed M, Woll P & Sisley K (2017) . Annals of Oncology, 28, v14-v14.
  • Fabian ID, Thaung C, AlHarby L, Sisley K, Mudhar HS, Doherty RE, Stacey AW, Arora AK, Cohen VML & Sagoo MS (2017) . American Journal of Ophthalmology, 181, 97-105.
  • Kheder S, Sisley K, Hadad S & Balasubramanian SP (2017) . Journal of Cancer, 8(6), 1053-1061.
  • Salawu A, Fernando M, Hughes D, Reed MWR, Woll P, Greaves C, Day C, Alhajimohammed M & Sisley K (2016) . British Journal of Cancer.
  • Hammond DW, Al-Shammari NSD, Danson S, Jacques R, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2015) . Investigative Opthalmology & Visual Science, 56(6), 3460-3466.
  • Kheder S, Hadad S, Sisley K & Balasubramanian S (2014) . European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), 40(12), 1799-1800.
  • Kheder S, Hadad S, Sisley K & Balasubramanian S (2014) . European Journal of Surgical Oncology (EJSO), 40, S3-S4.
  • Mudhar HS, Doherty R, Salawu A, Sisley K & Rennie I (2013) Immunohistochemical and molecular pathology of ocular uveal melanocytoma: Evidence for somatic GNAQ mutations. British journal of Ophthalmology, 97(7), 924-928.
  • Gravells P, Hoh L, Solovieva S, Patil A, Dudziec E, Rennie IG, Sisley K & Bryant HE (2013) . Oncogene, 32(46), 5338-5346.
  • Salawu A, Ul-Hassan A, Hammond D, Fernando M, Reed M & Sisley K (2012) . PLoS One, 7(11), e50415.
  • Mudhar HS, Scott I, Ul-Hassan A, Burton D, Doherty R, Cross N, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2012) . Histopathology, 61(4), 751-754.
  • Gravells P, Hoh L, Sisley K & Bryant HE (2012) FANCD2: lessons in recombination from uveal melanoma.. MUTAGENESIS, 27(1), 107-107.
  • Doherty RE, Haywood-Small SL, Sisley K & Cross NA (2011) . Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 414(4), 801-807.
  • Gravells P, Hoh L, Canovas D, Rennie IG, Sisley K & Bryant HE (2011) . Br J Cancer, 104(7), 1098-1105.
  • Sisley K, Doherty R & Cross NA (2011) . Br J Ophthalmol, 95(5), 620-623.
  • Hoh L, Gravells P, Canovas D, Ul-Hassan A, Rennie IG, Bryant H & Sisley K (2011) . Genes Chromosomes Cancer, 50(1), 34-42.
  • Ul-Hassan A, Sisley K, Hughes D, Hammond DW, Robinson MH & Reed MWR (2009) . Int J Exp Pathol, 90(5), 549-557.
  • Mudhar HS, Saunders E, Rundle P, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2009) . Br J Ophthalmol, 93(4), 535-540.
  • Raoof N, Rennie IG, Salvi SM, Sisley K, Caine A & Mudhar HS (2009) . Eye (Lond), 23(8), 1661-1667.
  • Sisley K (2008) USING GENETIC MARKERS TO DETERMINE PROGNOSIS OF UVEAL MELANOMA. ANTICANCER RES, 28(5C), 3489-3489.
  • Canovas D, Rennie IG, Nichols CE & Sisley K (2008) . Cancer, 112(8), 1787-1794.
  • Singh AD, Sisley K, Xu Y, Li J, Faber P, Plummer SJ, Mudhar HS, Rennie IG, Kessler PM, Casey G & Williams BG (2007) . Br J Ophthalmol, 91(10), 1385-1392.
  • Sisley K, Tattersall N, Dyson M, Smith K, Mudhar HS & Rennie IG (2006) . Exp Eye Res, 83(3), 554-559.
  • Cross NA, Ganesh A, Parpia M, Murray AK, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2006) . Eye (Lond), 20(4), 476-481.
  • Ul-Hassan A, Hammond DW, Feeley K, Sisley K, Robinson M & Reed MW (2005) Genetic characterisation of leiomyosarcoma. EJC SUPPL, 3(2), 352-352.
  • Woodward JKL, Rennie IG, Burn JL & Sisley K (2005) . Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 46(10), 3473-3477.
  • Cross NA, Rennie IG, Murray AK & Sisley K (2005) . Clin Exp Metastasis, 22(2), 107-113.
  • Woodward JKL, Rennie IG, Elshaw SR, Burn JL & Sisley K (2005) . Eye (Lond), 19(3), 342-348.
  • Brown MD (2004) . Microcirculation, 11(6), 527-558.
  • Woodward JKL, Rennie IG, Burn JL, Evans GS & Sisley K (2004) . Microcirculation, 11(6), 553-553.
  • Mudhar HS, Parsons MA, Sisley K, Rundle P, Singh A & Rennie IG (2004) . Histopathology, 45(1), 1-12.
  • Woodward J, Sisley K, Reeves G, Nichols C, Parsons MA, Mudhar H & Rennie I (2004) . Int J Exp Pathol, 85(1), 35-43.
  • Parker CJ, Shawcross SG, Li H, Wang Q-Y, Herrington CS, Kumar S, MacKie RM, Prime W, Rennie IG, Sisley K & Kumar P (2004) . Int J Cancer, 108(2), 314-320.
  • Cross NA, Murray AK, Rennie IG, Ganesh A & Sisley K (2003) . Melanoma Res, 13(5), 435-440.
  • Cantón I, Eves PC, Szabo M, Vidal-Vanaclocha F, Sisley K, Rennie IG, Haycock JW & MacNeil S (2003) . J Invest Dermatol, 121(3), 557-563.
  • Carlring J, Shaif-Muthana M, Sisley K, Rennie IG & Murray AK (2003) . Immunology, 109(1), 41-48.
  • Woodward JKL, Elshaw SR, Murray AK, Nichols CE, Cross N, Laws D, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2002) Stimulation and inhibition of uveal melanoma invasion by HGF, GRO, IL-1alpha and TGF-beta.. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 43(10), 3144-3152.
  • Woodward JKL, Nichols CE, Rennie IG, Parsons MA, Murray AK & Sisley K (2002) An in vitro assay to assess uveal melanoma invasion across endothelial and basement membrane barriers.. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 43(6), 1708-1714.
  • Mulcahy KA, Alexander S, Platts KE, Wardle C, Sisley K, Rennie IG & Murray AK (2002) . Melanoma Res, 12(2), 129-138.
  • Patel KA, Edmondson ND, Talbot F, Parsons MA, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2001) . Br J Ophthalmol, 85(12), 1440-1444.
  • Prasad S, Puri P, Sisley K, Parsons A & Rennie IG (2001) . Br J Ophthalmol, 85(11), 1388-1389.
  • Baker JK, Elshaw SR, Mathewman GE, Nichols CE, Murray AK, Parsons MA, Rennie IG & Sisley K (2001) . Melanoma Res, 11(3), 265-273.
  • Cresswell AC, Sisley K, Laws D, Parsons MA, Rennie IG & Murray AK (2001) . Melanoma Res, 11(3), 275-281.
  • Parker C, Shawcross SG, Hart I, Kumar S, MacKie R, Sisley K & Kumar P (2001) Expression of PAX-3 alternatively spliced transcripts in human tumours of neural crest origin. BRIT J CANCER, 85, 107-107.
  • Elshaw SR, Sisley K, Cross N, Murray AK, MacNeil SM, Wagner M, Nichols CE & Rennie IG (2001) . Br J Ophthalmol, 85(6), 732-738.
  • Baker JK, Rennie IG, Murray AK & Sisley K (2001) An in vitro model of metastasis for uveal melanoma. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 42(4), S219-S219.
  • Shaif-Muthana M, McIntyre C, Sisley K, Rennie I & Murray A (2000) Dead or alive: immunogenicity of human melanoma cells when presented by dendritic cells.. Cancer Res, 60(22), 6441-6447.
  • Parker C, Wang W, Hart I, Sisley K, Kumar S & Kumar P (2000) Expression of genes Pax-3 and Pax-7 in neural crest lineage tumours. BRIT J CANCER, 83, 36-36.
  • Sisley K, Parsons MA, Garnham J, Potter AM, Curtis D, Rees RC & Rennie IG (2000) . Br J Cancer, 82(2), 330-338.
  • Hedley SJ, Murray A, Sisley K, Ghanem G, Morandini R, Gawkrodger DJ & Mac Neil S (2000) . Melanoma Res, 10(4), 323-330.
  • Rennie IG, Elshaw SR, Sisley K & Murray AK (1999) Expression of proteolytic enzymes and integrins in uveal melanoma and association to in vitro invasion. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 40(4), S246-S246.
  • Sisley K, Brand C, Parsons MA, Maltby E, Rees RC & Rennie IG (1998) . Cancer Genet Cytogenet, 101(2), 128-133.
  • Sisley K, Nichols C, Parsons MA, Farr R, Rees RC & Rennie IG (1998) . Eye (Lond), 12 ( Pt 2), 203-207.
  • Sisley K, Rennie IG, Parsons MA, Jacques R, Hammond DW, Bell SM, Potter AM & Rees RC (1997) Abnormalities of chromosomes 3 and 8 in posterior uveal melanoma correlate with prognosis.. Genes Chromosomes Cancer, 19(1), 22-28.
  • Sisley K, Nichols C, Parsons MA & Rennie IG (1997) . Melanoma Research, 7(Supplement 1), S136-S136.
  • Andalib AR, Lawry J, Ali SA, Murray AK, Sisley K, Silcocks P, Herlyn M & Rees RC (1997) . Melanoma Res, 7(1), 32-42.
  • Sisley K, Nichols C, Parsons MA, Rees RC & Rennie IG (1997) Cytogenetic analysis of fine needle aspiration biopsies; Potential use in the prognosis of small posterior uveal melanoma.. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 38(4), 3764-3764.
  • Sisley K, Rennie IG, Parsons MA, Jacques RM & Rees RC (1996) . Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, 91(2), 180-180.
  • Brand C, Sisley K, Rennie IG, Parsons MA & Rees RC (1996) Chromosome changes iris melanomas.. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 37(3), 959-959.
  • Tappin MJ, Parsons MA, Sisley K, Rees RC & Rennie IG (1996) . Eye (Lond), 10 ( Pt 5), 600-602.
  • SISLEY K, RENNIE IG, PARSONS MA & REES RC (1995) CYTOGENETIC ALTERATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ADVANCED UVEAL MELANOMAS. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 36(4), S415-S415.
  • Sisley K, Rennie IG & Rees RC (1994) . Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, 77(2), 183-183.
  • SISLEY K, RENNIE IG & REES RC (1994) COMPARISON OF THE LOSS OF HETEROZYGOSITY OF CHROMOSOME-3 MARKERS BETWEEN SUBSETS OF UVEAL MELANOMAS. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 35(4), 1928-1928.
  • SISLEY K, RENNIE IG, COTTAM DW, CURTIS D, PARSONS MA & REES RC (1993) INVESTIGATION OF A POTENTIAL MARKER FOR METASTATIC SPREAD IN POSTERIOR UVEAL MELANOMA. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 34(4), 965-965.
  • Sisley K, Curtis D, Rennie IG & Rees RC (1993) . Melanoma Res, 3(6), 457-461.
  • Sisley K, Cottam DW, Rennie IG, Parsons MA, Potter AM, Potter CW & Rees RC (1992) . Genes Chromosomes Cancer, 5(3), 197-200.
  • Sisley K, Rogers K, Goepel J, Potter AM & Rees RC (1992) . Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, 63(2), 159-159.
  • Sisley K, Rennie IG, Cottam DW, Potter AM & Rees RC (1992) . Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, 63(2), 182-182.
  • SISLEY K, COTTAM D, RENNIE IG, POTTER AM, POTTER CW & REES RC (1992) CYTOGENETICS OF UVEAL MELANOMA. INVEST OPHTH VIS SCI, 33(4), 1243-1243.
  • Sisley K, Rennie IG, Cottom D, Potter AM, Potter CW & Rees RC (1991) . Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics, 52(2), 215-215.
  • Sisley K, Rennie IG, Cottam DW, Potter AM, Potter CW & Rees RC (1990) . Genes Chromosomes Cancer, 2(3), 205-209.
  • DIXON DR, MCFADZEN IRB & SISLEY K (1986) HETEROCHROMATIC MARKER REGIONS (NUCLEOLAR ORGANIZERS) IN THE CHROMOSOMES OF THE COMMON MUSSEL, MYTILUS-EDULIS (MOLLUSCA, PELECYPODA). J EXP MAR BIOL ECOL, 97(2), 205-212.
  • Mudhar HS, Doherty R, Salawu A, Sisley K & Rennie I () Immunohistochemical and molecular pathology of ocular uveal melanocytoma: Evidence for somatic GNAQ mutations.. British Journal of Ophthalmology.
  • Sisley K () . Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Haematology(3).

Book chapters

  • Sisley K (2015) (pp. 538-554). Wiley
  • Sisley K (2009) Tumours of the eye In Heim S (Ed.), Cancer Cytogenetics John Wiley Press
  • Abad J-C, Abelson MB, Abramson DH, Acquadro MA, Adamis AP, Adams WH, Afshari NA, Ai E, Aiello LM, Aiello LP , Akduman L et al (2008) , Albert &amp Jakobiec's Principles &amp Practice of Ophthalmology (pp. xxiii-xliv). Elsevier
  • Singh AD, Sisley K & Wackernagel W (2008) , Albert &amp Jakobiec's Principles &amp Practice of Ophthalmology (pp. 4925-4934). Elsevier
  • Sisley K & Wackernagel W (2007) Genetics of uveal melanoma In Albert & Jakobiec (Ed.), Principles and Practise of Ophthalmology Philadelphia: Lippincott,.
  • Sisley K & Naus N (2004) The relevance of Chromosome Abnormalities in posterior uveal melanoma. In: Uveal Melanoma In Jager MJ & Neiderkorn JY (Ed.), Uveal Melanoma: A Model for Exploring Fundamental Cancer Biology CRC Press
  • (2003) , Ocular Oncology (pp. 49-60). CRC Press
  • Sisley K & Rennie I (2003) , Ocular Oncology Informa Healthcare
  • (2003) , Ocular Oncology (pp. 77-94). CRC Press
  • Sisley K & Rennie IG (2003) Genetics of uveal melanoma: chromosomal rearrangements and the identification of genes involved in tumourigenesis. In Albert DM & Polans A (Ed.), Ocular Oncology (pp. 66-83). Informa Healthcare

Conference proceedings

  • Salawu A, Fernando M, Hughes D, Reed M, Woll P & Sisley K (2017) One tumour, two clones: An in vitro model of intra-tumour heterogeneity. ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY, Vol. 28
  • Cole LM, Mudhar HS, Sisley K, Peck A, Batey M, Claude E & Clench M (2016) . Cancer Research, Vol. 76(14_Supplement) (pp 4231-4231)
  • Doherty R, Hoh L, Rennie I, Sisley K & Cross N (2012) . EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER, Vol. 48 (pp S65-S66)
  • Doherty RE, Hoh L, Rennie I, Sisley K & Cross NA (2012) Isolation and Characterisation of Cancer Stem Cells in Solid Tumours. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 228 (pp S34-S34)
  • Salawu A, Ul-Hassan A, Woll P, Wyld L, Fernando M, Reed MWR & Sisley K (2012) Identification of soft tissue sarcoma subtypes using microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Vol. 30 (pp S61-S61)
  • Doherty R, Hoh L, Rennie I, Cross N & Sisley K (2012) Isolation and characterisation of cancer stem cells in uveal melanoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Vol. 30 (pp S61-S61)
  • Sisley K (2007) Genetic advances in uveal melanoma. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS, Vol. 44 (pp S42-S42)
  • Rennie IG, Woodward JKL & Sisley K (2005) TGF beta plays both a stimulatory and inhibitory role in the regulation of uveal melanoma invasion in vitro. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 46
  • Rennie IG, Woodward JKL, Nichols CE, Reeves G, Parsons MA & Sisley K (2003) Investigations of macrophage and dendritic cell markers in uveal melanoma. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 44 (pp U362-U362)
  • Woodward JK, Rennie IG, Burn L, Evans GS & Sisley K (2003) Hepatic endothelial cells may assist uveal melanomas to target the liver through alpha-4 integrin and VCAM-1 interactions. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 44 (pp U367-U367)
  • Inglis AC, Sisley K, Singh AD, Currie ZI & Rennie IG (2003) Prognostic factors in uveal melanoma: Correlation of vascular loop patterns with genetic imbalance as determined using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 44 (pp U255-U255)
  • Rennie IG, Baker JKL, Elshaw SR, Murray AK, Nichols CE & Sisley K (2002) HGF, GRO and MIP-1 beta stimulate uveal melanoma migration whilst IL-1 alpha and TGF-beta inhibit migration. INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, Vol. 43 (pp U246-U246)
Teaching activities

I am the course lead for Pathology on the undergraduate BMedSci Orthoptics course. The course spans two academic years and covers the basis of Ophthalmic disease, its presentation and consequences. 

In addition I offer a supportive role annually to up to 5 students in the second year of the MBChB degree course, who select to undertake their research attachment with the research group. 

Following on from these attachments a number of students have subsequently chosen to continue their research under my supervision by undertaking a BMedSci.

I am also a regular supervisor of both MSc students from University of Sheffield and Hallam University and a pesonal tutor for MSc, PhD and medical students.

Professional activities and memberships
  • Regular reviewer for both Cancer and Ophthalmology journals.
  • Reviewer for national and international grants.