CCBIO Researcher Secures Major Grant from the Norwegian Cancer Society
We are delighted to announce that Researcher Heidrun Vethe has been awarded a prestigious grant from the Norwegian Cancer Society under the call “Researcher Projects 2025”.
Main content
The funded project, titled “Cancer–Neuron Synapses and Behavior of Breast Cancer” will receive NOK 8 million for the period June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2030. The funding comes from the thematic area Rosa Sløyfe, dedicated to breast cancer research.
About the Project
This cutting-edge research aims to explore the formation of cancer–nerve synapses in primary breast tumors, combining patient-based analyses with lab experiments. The project will utilize advanced tissue imaging, omics discovery, functional analysis, including therapy testing, and studies to link findings to patient prognosis. By leveraging patient material and organoid co-culture systems, the study seeks to uncover mechanisms that could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Evaluation Highlights
The application underwent rigorous review by the committee Understanding Cancer, Treatment Targets – A, achieving a very high score. The committee praised the project as “highly competitive, a forefront application”, noting the cutting-edge topic, the project’s strong cell biology approach, and excellent laboratory environment. The project includes user representatives, meeting the Norwegian Cancer Society’s requirements for patient involvement.
Great news in the middle of a conference
Heidrun received the news in the midst of the ScanPath Symposium (9th Scandinavian Symposium on Translational Pathology), underscoring the significance of her work in the translational pathology community.
"I am thrilled and deeply grateful for this support from the Norwegian Cancer Society,” says Heidrun Vethe. “This funding will allow us to investigate an exciting and largely unexplored aspect of breast cancer biology, the interaction between cancer cells and nerves. Understanding these mechanisms could open new avenues for treatment and improve outcomes for patients," she explains.
Important for CCBIO
“This competitive grant to Heidrun Vethe is very timely and strategically important for our research environment” says Lars A. Akslen, CCBIO Director and group leader of CCBIO’s Cancer Biomarkers Group at the Medical Faculty, University of Bergen where Heidrun has built her career and remains an active member.
"It comes as a confirmation that the topic of ‘nervous tumors’ is perceived as significant, and it also underscores the importance of career development measures in the context of CCBIO. Finally, this particular topic represents an example of ‘research sprouting’ coming from our long-term interest in the biology and biomarkers of the tumor microenvironment,” Akslen concludes.
CCBIO congratulates Heidrun on this significant achievement and looks forward to the groundbreaking insights this project will bring to breast cancer research!
See news article on the Rosa sløyfe (pink ribbon) web pages (article in Norwegian).
Also see the complete 2025 list of support from the Norwegian Cancer Society (article in Norwegian).