The KI–NYU Metastasis Alliance
The KI–NYU Metastasis Alliance is a strategic partnership between Karolinska Institutet (KI) and NYU Langone Health established to accelerate scientific discovery and clinical innovation in metastasis research
Advancing metastasis research through international collaboration
The KI–NYU Metastasis Alliance is a strategic partnership between Karolinska Institutet (KI) and NYU Langone Health established to accelerate scientific discovery and clinical innovation in metastasis research.
Metastatic disease remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, accounting for the vast majority of cancer deaths. Addressing this challenge requires coordinated efforts that bring together expertise across disciplines, institutions and national borders.
The alliance combines the complementary strengths of Karolinska Institutet and NYU Langone Health to create an internationally connected research environment focused on understanding, preventing and treating metastatic cancer.
Our Mission
The mission of the KI–NYU Metastasis Alliance is to:
- Advance fundamental understanding of metastatic disease.
- Promote translational research that bridges laboratory discoveries and patient care.
- Foster scientific exchange and collaboration between investigators.
- Support training and career development of early-career researchers.
- Accelerate the development of new diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies for metastatic cancer.
Research Areas
The alliance supports collaborative research across multiple areas of metastasis biology, including:
Cancer Cell Plasticity
Understanding how cancer cells acquire metastatic traits and adapt to changing microenvironments during disease progression.
Tumor–Host Interactions
Investigating how immune cells, stromal cells and vascular networks influence metastatic dissemination and colonization.
Metastatic Niches
Studying the mechanisms that prepare distant organs for metastatic growth and enable disseminated tumor cells to survive and expand.
Precision Oncology
Identifying biomarkers and therapeutic targets that can improve patient stratification and treatment of metastatic disease.
Systems and Computational Oncology
Applying data-driven approaches, artificial intelligence and multi-omics technologies to better understand metastatic progression and treatment response.
Collaborative Activities
The alliance serves as a platform for a broad range of collaborative activities, including:
- Joint research projects
- Scientific workshops and symposia
- Visiting scholar programs
- Faculty and trainee exchanges
- Joint supervision of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
- Collaborative grant applications
- Development of shared research initiatives and infrastructure
Through these activities, the alliance aims to create lasting scientific interactions and promote the exchange of ideas, expertise and technologies.
Translational Research
A central objective of the alliance is to strengthen translational cancer research.
By combining NYU Langone Health's extensive clinical programs and patient cohorts with Karolinska Institutet's strengths in basic and translational biomedical research, the alliance seeks to accelerate the path from biological discovery to clinical implementation.
Particular emphasis is placed on integrating experimental models, advanced molecular technologies, clinical data and patient-derived materials to address clinically relevant questions in metastatic cancer.
Training the Next Generation
The future of metastasis research depends on the development of talented scientists and clinician-scientists.
The alliance therefore places strong emphasis on education, mentorship and international mobility. Through joint seminars, workshops and exchange opportunities, students and early-career researchers gain access to a broader scientific community and unique interdisciplinary training environments.
Leadership
The KI–NYU Metastasis Alliance is jointly coordinated by investigators at Karolinska Institutet and NYU Langone Health and operates as an integral component of the Centre for Metastasis Research (CMR) at Karolinska Institutet.
The alliance brings together researchers from diverse disciplines, including cancer biology, pathology, immunology, oncology, computational biology and precision medicine.
Looking Forward
The KI–NYU Metastasis Alliance aims to establish a long-term international framework for collaborative metastasis research.
By connecting leading researchers, clinicians and trainees across institutions, the alliance seeks to generate discoveries that improve our understanding of metastatic disease and ultimately contribute to better outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.