Pediatric oncological and neurological research
By increasing our understanding of the clinical, biological, and psychosocial aspects of childhood neurological diseases and childhood cancer, the research group Pediatric oncological and neurological research works to improve the quality of life for children and adolescents with these diseases and their families.
The research performed within our research group spans from experimental studies using molecular biological techniques to behavioral research aiming to help children and their families better cope with demanding treatments. We collaborate nationally and internationally, both leading and participating in different research projects. We work especially tightly together with research group Pediatric oncology research with a special focus on side effects with whom we have several collaborative projects. Read more about our main fields of research and projects and our research group.
Special resources at UU
Protein beam therapy
The Skandion Clinic in Uppsala started in 2015 and is a national, and even Nordic, resource and entails a significant expansion of the therapeutic arsenal for children with cancer. Protein beam therapy enables the irradiation field to be precisely controlled, thereby limiting damage to nearby healthy tissues. The establishment of Skandion Clinic provides increased possibilities for radiation therapy for younger patients, where treatment is otherwise restrictive due to the risks for serious late complications, particularly in the brain.
Biobanks
There are two biobanks connected to Uppsala with a particular focus on childhood cancer and neuropediatrics: The Nordic biobank for childhood leukemia (Frost main responsible, Palle et al.) and the Swedish childhood tumour biobank (Ljungman clinical leader and chairman of the board). Learn more about both biobanks on the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund's website (in Swedish only).
Research funders
We would like to warmly thank our funders, collaborators, and all patients and their parents who enable our research work, including for example the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund, Gillbergska Stiftelsen, Lions Cancerforskningsfond Mellansverige Uppsala-Örebro, Mary Bevés Stiftelse, and Region Uppsala.
Updates from our research group
- 24 Nov 2022
Congratulations to PhD student Emil Sundberg, who was awarded the Swedish Society of Medicine's medical student organization's prize for best scientific article for the publication, "COVID-19 seroprevalence and clinical picture in Swedish pediatric oncology and hematology patients". Great job, Emil!
- 1 Oct 2022
Several group members traveled to Barcelona to participate at SIOP 2022. Left to right, standing: PhD student Anni Ranta, Study doctor Linn Ullberg Anderson, Postdoc Malin Lönnerblad, Professor Arja Harila; sitting: Research nurse Klara Lithammer, PhD student Emil Sundberg, PhD student Johannes Fermér, Project coordinator Jenna Anderson.
- 10 May 2022
Congratulations to PhD student Mia Giertz, who was awarded the "NOPHO prize for Rapid fire oral presentation 2022" at the 39th NOPHO Annual Meeting (6-7 and 9-10 May)! The title of her talk was, “Preliminary results from a Nordic cohort study on symptomatic osteonecrosis in paediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma.” Well done, Mia!
- 31 March 2022
Congratulations to postdoc Christoffer Ehrstedt and affilated researcher Susanna Ranta, who each received research funding from the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund! Christoffer will work on a project studying biomarkers for radiation-induced brain injury in children with brain tumors, while Susanna will research toxicity in children treated according to the ALLTogether leukemia protocol.
- 21 March 2022
Congratulations to Professor Arja Harila-Saari, who is leading a new national working group for toxicity and late complications at the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund! Researcher Kim Ramme (MD, PhD) is also in the group. Learn more about the working group's goals at the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund's website (Swedish only).
- 15 September 2021
Welcome, Professor Karin Enskär! We are excited that Karin has now joined our research group. Read more about when she received a prize in 2019 for her important contributions to children with cancer (in Swedish only).
- 1 September 2021
Welcome post doc Malin Lönnerblad! Special educator Malin’s position is financed by the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund. Read more about her earlier research, which investigates school grades of childhood cancer survivors. who have survived cancer (in Swedish only).
- 10 July 2020
How does Covid-19 affect children with cancer? Read about how our researchers Professor Arja Harila-Saari, Josefine Palle, and PhD student Emil Sundberg are working to answer this important question (in Swedish only).
- 14 February 2020
Research group leader Professor Arja Harila-Saari has received financing from the Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund to map late complications after acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Congratulations, Arja!