Examples of Our Clinical Studies
We work continuously on the close collaboration between basic and clinical researchers to improve the understanding of cancer and develop better diagnostic methods and cancer treatments. With an extensive range of cutting-edge research infrastructure, our research groups are well-equipped to conduct high-quality cancer research.
In 2023, 65 research groups conducted cancer studies, with 26 focused primarily on clinical and translational research, and 39 more focused on translational and basic research. More than 170 clinical trials were underway at UCCC, and we secured nearly SEK 250 million in external cancer research funding. Over the past two years, 650 scientific articles have been published, and seven new cancer research professors were appointed in 2023.
ATMP Studies
The clinical application of immunotherapy and cell transplantation is a strong tradition in Uppsala, including islet cell transplantation, cell transplantation for diabetes, and autologous blood transplantation for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). These are not classified as ATMP but represent an established history of clinical implementation and innovation in cellular therapies. The hospital also treats patients with autologous keratinocytes, an ATMP product currently covered by the hospital exemption, with a mandate for national highly specialised care (NHV) of patients with severe burns (since 2010).
In the Department of Blood and Tumour Diseases (BoT), we have routines in place and experience of handling not only CAR T cells but also oncolytic viruses and other vector-based gene therapies. The first clinical trial in Europe where patients were treated with CAR T cell therapy was conducted at Uppsala University Hospital in 2014. It was an academic clinical trial sponsored by Uppsala University, with clinical support from the Unit for Clinical Research and Development (KFUE) at BoT. In total, at least 21 clinical trials with ATMP products have been initiated at Uppsala University Hospital (both academic and industry-initiated), with 12 ongoing by the end of 2023/2024.
Affibody Project
The Affibody project is a long-term development initiative involving the Departments of Blood and Tumour Diseases and Imaging and Functional Medicine. It includes four clinical studies so far, aiming to map HER2 receptors in breast cancer using PET scanning. About 75 patients have been examined with this new unique method. In 2023, the phase 2 study was completed and published.
The study demonstrated that the HER2-PET method with Affibody is superior to conventional biopsies in predicting the response to anti-HER2 therapy. This is a significant step in precision medicine treatment of tumours and could also provide opportunities for targeted treatment using Affibody molecules as transport proteins in the next phase.
