Anders Österborg's Group

Research area A: Exploring new targets and developing new drugs.

Lead by Mohammad Hojjat-Farsangi, PhD, senior researcher.

We have a current focus on ROR1, an embryonic antigen expressed by many tumor types but abundant on most normal cells. Extensive characterization of ROR1 is performed and first-in-class small molecule inhibitors of ROR1 are developed in collaboration with Kancera AB (Solna Science Park). Another focus is TME (tumor microenvironment) and in particular nurse-like cells, that are inhibited in vitro by drug-mediated interference with the fractalkine axis. Examples of recent publications: Ghaderi A et al, EjHaem 2021, and Pharmaceutics 2022.

Research area B: Immune regulation of B cell malignancies.

Lead by Marzia Palma, MD, PhD.

We perform in-depth analysis of immunoregulatory cell populations preferentially in patients with CLL and Hodgkin’s disease. An important part is monitoring of immune functions during targeted therapies such as BTK-inhibitors (ibrutinib, zanubrutinib) and during Bcl-2 inhibition (venetoclax) in patients. Examples of recent publications: Palma M et al, Front Immunol 2021, Mulder T el al, HemaSphere 2021 and 2022.

Research area C: Academic clinical trials using targeted precision therapeutics in B cell malignancies.

Lead by: Jeanette Lundin, MD, PhD, assoc. prof.

The aim to develop optimized chemotherapy-free treatment regimens, including but not limited to BTK and Bcl-2 inhibitors. An important project is the ongoing ibrutinib “On-Off”phase 2 study, with the aim to reduce the risk of acquired resistance (BTK-mutation) and long-term side effects. Another study explores pre-emptive therapy in early-stage high-risk CLL. Examples of recent publications: Lundin J et al EjHaem 2021, Ma S et al, Leuk Res 2022.

Research area D: : Real-world evidence studies on new precision therapies and Covid-19 in CLL.

Lead by: Lotta Hansson, MD, PhD, assoc.prof.

Here we aim to describe the true effects of new (high-cost) targeted therapeutics in a wider population of patients treated real-world i.e. outside clinical trials that often recruit selected patients. Real-world (RWE) is of major importance for patients, health care professionals and society as a whole. We also study Covid-19 from a clinical and immunological point-of-view, including mRNA vaccination. Examples of recent publications: Bergman P et al eBioMedicine 2021, Blixt L et al Leukemia 2022 and Blood 2022.