Research group Stephan Mielke

Our lab works with translational questions inbetween basic research and clinical care in the field of cell- and gene therapy with a strong focus on cancer.

Our research

Although stem cell transplantation has been established over decades, advanced cell-based immunotherapy has recently risen as the fifth pillar of cancer treatment besides surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Remarkably, the development of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has accelerated the field dramatically. However, this is just the beginning of the rise of several new Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) in cancer care. Most recently, the development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has further sped up the development of new therapies in this field.

Our research group is connected to the JACIE-accredited Medical Department of Cell Therapy and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Huddinge (ME CAST).  This is part of an even larger USVE (Universitetssjukvårdsenhet) at Karolinska University Hospital which covers the areas GMP production, oligonucleotide therapy, and exosomes. We are closely connected to SWECARNET, Sweden’s CAR T cell competence network and Karolinska’s developing ATMP center.

The following projects are part of our research:

Project 1: Elucidating mechanisms behind the effect, toxicity, and resistance of CAR-T cell therapy.

Project 2: Hospital-based ATMP production in cancer care.

Project 3: Harnessing and redirecting immunity against ovarian cancer.

Project 4: Gene-therapy for sickle cell anemia.

Publications

Selected publications

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Our research in media

Karolinska invests in ATMP centers 

https://www.dagensmedicin.se/vardens-styrning/vardutveckling/karolinska-satsar-pa-atmp-center/ - only in Swedish

Regions invest in ATMP

https://www.lif.se/event/_/enskilda-event/20232/1/regioner-satsar-pa-atmp/ - only in Swedish

New center to develop drugs that cure cancer

https://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/nytt-centrum-ska-utveckla-lakemedel-som-botar-cancer-.eee4e439-d7e1-4b5d-a7c4-4b3e0ba6c399 - only in Swedish

We have something truly special here at Campus Flemingsberg

https://www.karolinskahospital.com/news/we-have-something-truly-special-here-at-campus-flemmingsberg/

We see a dramatic development

https://www.lakemedelsvarlden.se/cell-och-genterapier/ - only in Swedish

The new center will strengthen collaboration between research, production and treatment within ATMP

https://onkologisktidskrift.se/sjukdomar/587-nytt-centrum-ska-staerka-samverkan-mellan-forskning-tillverkning-och-behandling-inom-atmp.html - only in Swedish

Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital strengthen their commitment in advanced cell, gene and tissue therapies

https://www.karolinskahospital.com/news/karolinska-institutet-and-karolinska-university-hospital-strengthen-their-commitment-in-advanced-cell-gene-and-tissue-therapies-by-establishing-karolinska-atmp-centre/

Advanced therapies on the rise - "The challenges are great"

https://www.lifesciencesweden.se/article/view/1070889/avancerade_terapier_pa_frammarsch_utmaningarna_ar_stora  - only in Swedish

New cancer treatment raises hope

https://www.svt.se/nyheter/inrikes/ny-cancerbehandling-vacker-hopp-kan-bota-de-som-inte-gick-att-bota-tidigare - only in Swedish

The cell and gene therapy of the future is preventive

https://framtidenslakemedel.se/2021/02/24/framtidens-cell-och-genterapi-ar-preventiv/ - only in Swedish

"The cells get glasses to see the tumor more easily"

https://ssci.se/sv/aktuellt/cellerna-f-r-glas-gon-f-r-att-l-ttare-se-tum-ren - only in Swedish

Karolinska first with CAR-T cell therapy

https://lakartidningen.se/aktuellt/nyheter/2019/10/karolinska-forst-ut-med-car-t-cellsterapi/ - only in Swedish

"We welcome new international investment for the development of cancer therapies at Karolinska"

https://blodcancerforbundet.se/aktuellt/nyheter/vi-valkomnar-ny-internationell-satsning-for-utveckling-av-cancerterapier-pa-karolinska/ - only in Swedish