Pediatric oncology research with a special focus on side effects

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 oncological and neurological research 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.

Welcome to the Brainsave Symposium, May 22 in Uppsala with focus on Rehabilitation

• Date: May 22 2023
• Time: 8:30-16:30
• Place: Uppsala, Uppsala University Hospital, entrence 100-101 level 2, H:son Holmdahlsalen

Registration to the Symposium

Contact person: geraldine.giraud@akademiska.se

Final programme: focus on Rehabilitation

08.30-09.00	Welcome
09.00-09.05	Introduction
09.05-10.20	How to focus on the right aspects of rehabilitation  after brain tumor treatment? "Participation in everyday life post braintumor treatment – The future follow-up core in health care?" Ann-Christine Björklund, PhD student, CNS tumor nurse, Akademiska hospital, Uppsala. Key note Lecture Guest lecturer: Jan Willem Gorter, Princess Maxima, Netherlands
10.20-11:30	Performance and the importance of school  "Effective School Reintegration for Children with Brain Tumors" Guest lecturer: Sharon M Grandinette M.S. Ed., CBIST, California, USA ”Academic outcome in Swedish children treated for brain tumors” Malin Lönnerblad, PhD, special education teacher, Uppsala University
11:30- 12:30	Lunch
12:30-13:30	The importance of physical activity "Motor performance after treatment of pilocytic astrocytoma in the posterior fossa in childhood" Ingela Kristiansen, PhD, Senior consultant, pediatric neurologist, Uppsala University  "Swedish children treated for cancer and their school performance in physical education" Malin Lönnerblad, PhD, special education teacher, Uppsala University  "Physical Activity for pediatric brain tumor survivors" Åsa Persson Dobruna, PhD student, physiotherapist, Uppsala University Discussion
13:30 – 13:40	Paus
13.40-14:45	The importance of perception Key note Lecture Guest Lecturer: Tony Pansell  "The eye- a window to neurocognition" Helena Söderström, PhD student, Neuropsychologist, Uppsala University
14.45-15.15	Paus
15.15-16.15	Panel discussion with coffee
16.15-16.30	Concluding remarks and future perspective for the BrainSave Symposium

October 22, 2021
Gustaf Ljungman was awarded a grant in medical technology from the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation, for using an air-cooling device for the prevention of a painful drug side effect, mouth sores (mucositis).

October 19, 2021
Doctoral student Christopher Blacker registered in the project: Evaluation of an air-cooling device to reduce oral mucositis.

June 6, 2021
Doctoral student Paula Hansson admitted in the project: Pharmacogenomics in chemotherapy-induced toxicity in children with a focus on marrow toxicity.

October 14, 2020
Research group leader Gustaf Ljungman has contributed to a new international report about children's pain in The Lancet, read more about the report, Delivering transformative action in paediatric pain.