Associated Centers

StratCan brings together research groups and research centers (the three Translational Thematic Centers - ACT, BRECT, IMTAC - and the two Linné centers within cancer research - CRisP, STARGET) spread over many different departments and three geographical locations. StratCan also closely interacts with the KICancer network and the NatiOn research school.

Translational Thematic Centers

The theme centers are set up jointly by the Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm County Council to promote the transfer of basic research to clinical application. StratCan has close collaboration with the three theme centers in cancer research (ACT, BRECT, IMTAC) and their directors are members of the Executive Board.

• Center for Advanced Cancer Therapies (ACT)
  The aim of ACT is to identify and characterize novel compounds that target critical pathways in cancer cells. A multidisciplinary approach that integrates clinical research with state-of-the-art HTP screening of chemical libraries and target identification/validation technologies, including cell and molecular biology, transcriptomics, proteomics, computational biology, and in vivo imaging techniques is used. Director: Galina Selivanova.
• Breast Cancer Theme Center (BRECT)
  The breast cancer theme center aims to increase our understanding of critical steps in breast cancer development and therapy. The research span from basic studies using cell lines, animal models, and patient biopsies, to prospective clinical studies and clinical trials, with the ultimate goal to improve breast cancer therapy and disease outcome. Director Jonas Bergh.
• Theme Center for Immune Modulatory Therapies (IMTAC)
  The main focus of IMTAC is developing innovative immune-based treatment approaches and accelerating the movement of effective immunotherapies into the clinic as part of the standard of care for patients. Director: Rolf Kiessling.

Linnaeus Centers

The Swedish Research Council provides support to a total of 40 research environments in different research areas through a 5-10-year Linnaeus grant allocated in 2006 and 2008. The aim of the Linnaeus grants is to enhance support for research of the highest quality that can compete internationally. It also aims to encourage universities and colleges to prioritize research fields and to allocate funding for them. StratCan has close collaboration with the Linnaeus Centers in Cancer Research at Karolinska Institutet, and their directors are members of the Executive Board.

• CRisP - The Cancer Risk Prediction Center
  The translational research environment CRisP covers the fields of cancer epidemiology, next-generation sequencing, biostatistics, systems biology, pathology, surgery and quality-of-life research. CRisP was established in 2008 based on a shared vision of decreased breast and prostate cancer mortality through individualized risk prediction and prevention. Coordinated by Henrik Grönberg.
• STARGET - a Cancer Research Network
  STARGET is a cancer research network at Karolinska Institutet dedicated to a systematic characterization of the roles of pericytes and fibroblasts in normal and tumor tissue. It is the only Linné center dedicated to experimental cancer research. STARGET i supported by the Swedish Research Council since 2006. Coordinated by Arne Östman.

KICancer

StratCan has close collaboration with the KICancer network at KI, chaired by Ingemar Ernberg.

NatiOn research school

StratCan supports the National Research School in Clinical Cancer (NatiOn) with means to cover the costs of research time for 10 clinicians pursuing their Ph.D. This effort is in continuation of a previous announcement of two four-year grants for postgraduate education in cancer research for MDs or medical students. The ambition is to encourage participation and allow more clinicians time to engage in research to meet the future need for competitive clinical cancer researchers.