Photo: H. Flank WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ONCOLOGY-PATHOLOGY Photo: S. Ceder Photo: Erik Cronberg Photo: H. Flank Photo: E. H. Cheteh & S. Ceder t. Solna JohanOlof Wallins väg Wallins JohanOlof SKALA Solregnsvägen 0255075 100 125 m Solna kyrkväg Solnavägen Prostvägen 1 Prostvägen DEPARTMENT OF Fogdevreten ONCOLOGY-PATHOLOGY Prostvägen Granits väg Science for Life Laboratory We are a part of Karolinska Institutet, where we work with cancer research and offer Solna kyrkväg educational programs at undergraduate, Master and doctoral levels. Uniting more Tomtebodavägen than 30 research groups, the department´s broad focus on cancer combines basic, translational and clinical research, ranging from mechanisms of cancer development and biomarkers to development of new technologies for precision cancer medicine. Spårområde Karolinska vägen Thus, our goals are, based on fundamental discoveries, to identify and implement Nobels väg Tomtebodavägen cancer biomarkers supporting early diagnosis and improved personalized therapy, Widerströmska building and to drive drug discovery via innovative clinical trials. Further, we engage in edu-Tomtebodavägen cation of next generation scientist and healthcare professionals in these areas.P Our research teams are mainly located at two research buildings, Bioclinicum and Science for Life Laboratories (SciLifeLab), Solna, and at hospital buildings including Pathology unit and New Karolinska Hospital (NKS), Stockholm. In addition, few Scheeles väg Theorells väg research groups form satellites in Södersjukhuset, Karolinska hospital in Huddinge 3 and at Cancercentrum Karolinska, Solna. Karolinska vägen Scheeles väg Retzius väg Nobels väg Biomedicum Solnavägen Science for Life laboratories Individual research groups are part of both the department of Oncology-Pathology and Tomtebodavägen the SciLifeLabs national infrastructure. Karolinska vägen Bioclinicum Berzelius Laboratory Bioclinicum Aula Medica We are located on floors 5 and 6 with Karolinska vägen skyways connecting us to NKS, Karolinska Institutet campus Solna and Biomedicum. Akademiska stråket Berzelius v äg Nanna Svartz väg Pathology and NKS We combine our health care responsibilities Nobels väg Karolinska with education at doctoral and postdoctoral University Hospital levels, clinical research and clinical trials. von Eulers väg Nobels väg Berzelius väg Berzelius Photos: H. Flank von Eulers väg Ryssmuren Berzelius väg t. Stockholm Norra Länken At SciLifeLab, we develop novel technologies and high OUR RESEARCH AREAS throughput platforms in the areas of proteomics, drug discovery and drug development. We use these platforms for discovery of novel anti-cancer drugs and of biomarkers At Bioclinicum, we focus on basic molecular mechanisms for precision medicine in cancer. We work in teams com- that underlie cellular and physiological functions under bining experts in engineering, chemistry and data science normal conditions and during development and progression with oncologists, nurses and physicians as part of precision of cancer. Specifically, we study cell types and processes cancer medicine program across several different cancer involved in cancer development and progression, including types including leukemia, sarcoma, lung, breast, ovarian, cancer cells and cancer initiating cells, cancer-associated and bladder cancer. stroma cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells and angio- genesis, immune cells and inflammation, cell migration and metastasis. We conduct pre-clinical and translational studies to validate basic findings in in vivo models and in primary tumor tissues, and implement our discoveries in clinical trials. Bioclinicum SciLifeLab NKS and Pathology Photos: H. Flank At NKS and Pathology, we conduct clinical research and clinical trials for better and early cancer diagnosis, and to discover novel predictive biomarkers for more efficient and personalized anti- cancer treatments. Combining our clinical expertise with research allows fast introduction of novel findings for the benefit of cancer patient. Our clinical studies result in discoveries of novel diagnos- tic and prognostic measurements and their implementation into clinical practice. Oncologists and pathologists develop and evalu- ate novel targeted therapies and collect tumor tissues and samples into Biobanks for both on-going and future translational research projects. OUR GOALS AND STRENGTHS WHAT WE WANT TO DO OUR STRENGTHS Our MISSION is to improve diagnostics, treat- • Translating basic knowledge and discoveries ment and quality of life for patients with cancer Clinical Novel drug into practice through basic, translational and clinical research • Improved and personalized cancer diagnostics and education in the field of cancer. cancer research development and clinical and • Ex vivo drug screenings for precision medicine • Immune and gene therapy trials treatments HOW WE WANT TO DO IT Improved • Clinical trials validating novel drugs and drug Our GOALS are to achieve excellence in research combinations and education, to foster clinical research and to diagnostics • Novel treatment regimen for improved quality create high technological platforms for research and precision of life support and innovation. medicine • New drug development and therapies Strong Basic • High quality courses and educational programs • Nurturing junior scientists for future leadership Our VALUES are based and on ethics, high diversity Translational and equality. We culti- vate openness, networ- research Lars Holmgren, king and collaborations New the Head of our Department, says: to consolidate national and international forces technologies and to cure cancer. big data-driven research We share skills, knowledge and resources through national and international networks, collaborations, OUR NETWORKS ARE: conferences, courses and seminars and Photo: H. Flank Cancer Research KI – network at Karolinska institutet by building strong and ki.se/en/cancerresearchki/cancer-research-ki advanced modern technological platforms.” Cancer Core Europé – European Cancer Association cancercoreeurope.eu/karolinska SOME OF OUR DISCOVERIES AND ACHIEVMENTS Theo Foukakis, CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH MD and a Team leader in J. Bergh group, says: THE PANTHER TRIAL AND BEYOND PHASE 1 TRIAL WITH TUMOR FOR HIGH-RISK BREAST CANCER INFILTRATING LYMPHOCYTES Our mission is that all women with breast cancer Cancer clinical trials are conducted at the AND DENDRITIC CELLS Department in collaboration with the will be cured with minimal negative Immunotherapy of cancer has achieved HRQoL effects from the treatment. Karolinska University hospital. One aspect substantial progress, particularly when the We therefore continue our clinical research in these trials is the patients’ health-related Immune Checkpoint Inhibition, ICI, was quality-of-life (HRQoL). It is a very important introduced. This prolongs the survival of that includes novel therapeutic regimens parameter as it is a combination of the tre- some patients with advanced melanoma. and a careful follow-up of the combined atment outcome and the patient’s subjective For those who fail, we are developing a new disease and quality of life parameters to experience of the disease and the treatment combination of two types of immuno-the- improve the clinical management that helps to inform patients in the treat- rapies. First, T-cells are extracted from the of breast cancer.” ment decision. The Panther trial in women patient’s tumor. These “Tumor Infiltrating with high-risk early breast cancer showed a Lymphocytes”, TILs, an important part of better event-free survival in a group recei- the body’s immune defense against cancer, ving tailored dose-dense chemotherapy as are multiplied up to 50 billion cells and compared to standard adjuvant chemothe- administered back to the patient in combi- 1 rapy , but a lower HRQoL level during the nation with Interleukin-2. What makes this treatment1. However, a long-term follow up study unique compared to other clinical Stina Wickström, revealed that HRQoL levels recovered once TIL trials is that the patients are at the same head of TIL production and immune monitoring, comments: 2 treatment was terminated . A meta-analysis time treated with several doses of a tumor further showed that increasing the dose vaccine consisting of dendritic cells, DC, density of adjuvant chemotherapy was safe which activate the immune system and give and resulted in fewer disease recurrences the injected TILs an extra boost. Of the four 3 and fewer deaths from breast cancer and severely ill patients with malignant me- Our clinical may therefore be more frequently used. lanoma that failed to respond to any other study has shown that Cell therapy For women offered this treatment it will be treatment, three have responded with a with T-cells and DC vaccine has reassuring to know that although HRQoL complete or near complete remission while remarkable strong clinical effects on decreases during the treatment, an impro- patients treated with TILs mono-therapy metastatic advanced malignant melanoma. vement and recovery is expected after the did not have the same favorable response. treatment. We hope that the same approach will be The method is a part of Karolinska Univer- efficient in other solid tumors, such as 1. Foukakis T, et al. Effect of tailored dose-dense chemotherapy sity Hospital’s efforts in cell-based therapy, gynecological cancer. This demonstrates vs standard 3-weekly adjuvant chemotherapy on recurrence- and Rolf Kiessling, head of the study, has free