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The Leukemia Research Group (LRG)

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Silje Johansen (MD, PhD student)

Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is a well- established treatment towards malignant blood diseases. The treatment is extensive and associated with a high risk of transplantation related mortality and morbidity, with one of the main causes being graft versus host disease (GvHD). GvHD is when the immune cells from the donor lead to an immune- mediated patient organ damage. Our project’s main goal is to map the different mediator molecules and profiles of these molecules in association with development, prognosis and follow up of allo-HSCT patients, regarding GvHD. The project is funded by Helse Vest.

Marte Karen Lindstad Brattås (MD, PhD student)

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematological malignancy characterized by high mortality. Standard therapy is poorly tolerated even by young patients. The regulatory protein splenic tyrosine kinase (SYK) is recognized to be a potential target for the treatment of hematologic cancers. We want to explore SYK as a potential pharmacological target in acute myeloid leukemia. The project aims to characterize the heterogenicity of AML-patients based on in-vitro studies with regard to SYK-signaling and inhibition of SYK. The project is funded by Helse-Vest.

 

Anette Lodvir Hemsing (MD, PhD student)

Main objective: explore the role of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) in human acute myeloid leukemia cells, cultivated in standardized in vitro-models. Conduct a broad mapping of the biological profiles of RAC1 expression and signaling in AML patients, reflecting patient heterogeneity. Investigate the effect of RAC1 inhibition. Strengthen the fundament for future studies. 

Kimberley Hatfield (Researcher):

Investigates metabolic phenotypes of primary human AML cells, and how metabolic pathways may be implicated in development of drug resistance in AML.

Additional research interests include the role of the microenvironment; in particular how AML cells are influenced by stromal cells and chemokines, and how leukemia cells adapt to changes in oxygen levels and nutrient availability.

Håkon Reikvam (Professor, MD, PhD):

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a highly malignant disease in which, despite advances in both pharmacological and cellular therapy, treatment outcomes remain suboptimal. Untreated, the disease is fatal in a very short time, i.e. weeks to months, and the total 5-year survival even for younger AML patients (<65 years) is still only approximately 40%. The main focus of our research projects is based on investigating new pharmacological treatment alternatives, as well as on studying conditions related to existing treatment, namely allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Ongoing project agrees to investigate pharmacological intervention for three biological systems; (i) integrins, (ii) the SYK signaling pathway and (iii) the RAC1 signaling pathway. The basis for our project is several decades of collecting and biobanking of cell- and serum samples from patients treated at Haukeland University Hospital. The cells are cultured under standardized in vitro conditions, and well-described and developed methods will be used to study cell growth, cell death and changes in intracellular signaling mechanisms. Using serum samples, we have the opportunity to study changes in biological profiles for proteins, metabolites and other micromolecules, as well as search for potential biomarkers. The long-term possibilities for the project lie in the potential to implement research results for improvement and optimization of treatment for patients with AML in the health service.