Cancer and Haematology
Karolinska Institutet is at the forefront of cancer research in the world. The primary goal of the research conducted at Karolinska Institutet is to make sure that as few people as possible suffer or die from cancer. Our research cover all areas, from precision medicine and new immunotherapies to the study of large demographic groups.
Cancer Research KI
Cancer Research KI
Cancer Research KI is an overarching umbrella organisation and single point of entry to cancer research at Karolinska Institutet, that includes some 250 research groups. The aim is to bring together top-level cancer scientists from different disciplines, with the overall goal to generate new discoveries that can be rapidly translated into clinical practice for the benefit of patients and society.
In depth articles and features
A golden age for a geneticist
A golden age for a geneticist
A diplomat with an interest in technology finds himself in the midst of the golden age of genetics. Richard Rosenquist Brandell’s goal is personalized treatment for all cancer patients.
She wants to prevent cancer
She wants to prevent cancer
In her research Elisabete Weiderpass focuses on identifying risk factors for cancer, with a particular focus on prevention and influence.
Exercise as medicine
Exercise as medicine
After witnessing the positive effects that exercise has had on the wellbeing of breast cancer patients, Yvonne Wengström is certain where she stands: It’s time to introduce physical activity in cancer care.
She counts every step
She counts every step
Every year colorectal cancer grows in Sweden. Surgeon and professor Anna Martling works to improove the prognosis. Now she is testing whether regular aspirin might be the next step.
People should sunbathe more sensibly
People should sunbathe more sensibly
Yvonne Brandberg will always remember the young man struck down by cancer in the prime of life. His fate motivated her to try to convince more people to sunbathe more sensibly.
Spotlight on prostate cancer
Spotlight on prostate cancer
Every year around 10,000 men in Sweden receive the diagnosis of prostate cancer, and the number of Swedish men who die from the disease is around 2,500. This makes prostate cancer the most common and deadliest cancer form in the country. Researchers are struggling to find ways of preventing the disease. Another challenge is to develop safe methods of diagnostics.
Spotlight on breast cancer
Spotlight on breast cancer
Between 15 and 20 Swedish women receive the diagnosis of breast cancer every day, making this the most common cancer among women. Read more about how scientists are working to reduce the mortality rates for this disease.
Spotlight on childhood cancer
Spotlight on childhood cancer
These days, the lives of many children diagnosed with cancer can be saved, but the treatment can lead to problems later in life. Researchers at KI are working to find better treatments for childhood cancers and to improve life quality for those who survive.
On the way to healthier lungs
On the way to healthier lungs
Lung cancer is the type of cancer that by far kills the largest number of Swedes every year. The main reason for the bad prognosis for the disease is that tumours are often discovered too late.
New Centre of Excellence at KI for treatment of cancer
New Centre of Excellence at KI for treatment of cancer
Karolinska Institutet has been granted funding from Sweden's innovation agency Vinnova to start a new centre of excellence. The centre will focus on developing next-generation immunotherapy based on NK-cells for the treatment of cancer.
News about cancer and haematology
Some of our Professors in this area
Studying lymphoma from risks to treatment
Studying lymphoma from risks to treatment
Lymphoma is a common cancer that exists in many forms. Karin Ekström Smedby is mapping the epidemiology of the disease, from risk factors to survival. She is also researching new biomarkers that can lead to more efficacious treatment.
Neuroscientist with an interest in technology
Neuroscientist with an interest in technology
Neuroscientist Ola Hermanson aims to both understand the development of the healthy brain and lay the groundwork for improved treatments for serious diseases. He is also keen to drive technological developments in bioprinting, amongst other areas.
Studying the link between oral health and cancer
Studying the link between oral health and cancer
The oral microbiome not only causes dental diseases, it also impacts on diseases elsewhere in the body. This is the focus of Margaret Sällberg Chen’s research, especially in relation to cancer.
Biostatistician contributing to breast cancer epidemiology
Biostatistician contributing to breast cancer epidemiology
Keith Humphreys develops and uses statistical methods for epidemiological research. He has a special interest in breast cancer risk assessment and in the studying the effectiveness of mammography screening.
Better treatment selection and outcome for cancer patients
Better treatment selection and outcome for cancer patients
Lennart Blomqvist researches cancer imaging, and has among other things helped to develop a method for the measurement of segmental liver function using MRI.
Methods to distinguish different thyroid cancers
Methods to distinguish different thyroid cancers
Jan Zedenius is investigating cancer in the thyroid gland. He wants to understand the differences between various forms of the disease and how to detect these differences as early as possible.
Studying the function and utility of exosomes
Studying the function and utility of exosomes
Exosomes are tiny particles secreted by cells. They are involved in important processes in the body and may have useful clinical applications, including improved cancer treatments. Susanne Gabrielsson is one of the veterans of this young field of research.
p53 – the guardian of the genome
p53 – the guardian of the genome
Sir David Lane discovered the protein p53 at the end of the 1970s. The protein's role is to discover and prevent genetic mutations that can lead to cancer.
He wants to find the vulnerability in cancer
He wants to find the vulnerability in cancer
The continual division of cells in our bodies is pre-conditional to life; however, the process is a complex and delicate one and subject to serious error.
Searching for future cancer therapies
Searching for future cancer therapies
Sonia Lain is searching for molecules that have the potential to become future cancer therapies. She is searching for substances that are effective against cancer cells but easier on healthy tissue.
Less invasive treatments for oesophagus and stomach cancer
Less invasive treatments for oesophagus and stomach cancer
Magnus Nilsson conducts research on better treatments against cancer of the oesophagus and stomach. The objective is both to make the treatments more effective, and to make them less invasive.
Ways to enhance the immune system’s capacity to fight cancer
Ways to enhance the immune system’s capacity to fight cancer
Stephan Mielke research focuses on exploiting the potential of the patient’s own immune system to fight cancer as well as on improved methods for transplanting blood stem cells.