Peter Nygren’s projects on improving cancer therapy
Identification of new drugs that could act synergistically with radiotherapy
Peter Nygren, Henning Karlsson
In this project we investigate interactions between the cytotoxic effects of small molecules and radiation. Candidate drugs, VLX600 and nitazoxanide, have been identified and further analysed in 2D and 3D tumour models as well as in xenograft studies in vivo. The project is performed in collaboration with Rolf Larsson and Mårten Fryknäs, Dept of Medical Sciences.
Development of mebendazole as an anticancer drug in advanced refractory gastrointestinal cancer
Peter Nygren, Malin Berglund, Sharmineh Mansori
A phase 2a clinical trial of the anti-helmintic drug mebendazole as an anticancer drug in advanced refractory gastrointestinal cancer has recently been finished and study data are to be presented. The project is based on a pilot study that showed a significant activity of mebendazole in this setting. In parallel, the mode of action of mebendazole as an anticancer drug has been investigated and will be reported. Since mebendazole has poor bioavailability a prodrug will be synthesized to allow for improved pharmacokinetics and thus efficacy. The project is performed in collaboration with Rolf Larsson and Mårten Fryknäs, Dept of Medical Sciences.
Characterisation of cytotoxic effects of new potential drugs
Peter Nygren, Henning Karlsson, Sadia Hassan, Sharmine Mansoori
Since several years we have been working with an in-house developed short-term in vitro assay for patient tumour cells, the fluorometric microculture cytotoxicity assay (FMCA), which has been shown to report clinically relevant drug activity data in major cancer types. In this project we use the FMCA of the tumour cell to characterise cytotoxic effects of drugs identified in drug repurposing screens in patient tumour samples representing a spectrum of sensitivity to standard drugs. The aim is to identify the tumour diagnoses suitable for future clinical development of these drugs into anticancer drugs.
Development of phenotypic cancer drug activity screen in tumour organoids for individualized treatment
Peter Nygren, Henning Karlsson
We have extensive experience from cancer drug activity testing in primary cultures of tumour cells from patients as a basis for individualized selection of drugs for treatment. One problem with this technique is that the number of cells available for testing might be too small for extensive testing and another that test results might not apply when the patient experience tumour relapse or progression after one or several lines of therapy.
In this project the tumour cells are cultured to expand and form tumour organoids being reminiscent of the tumour allowing for expanded testing. Furthermore, by exposing the organoids with the drugs that are included in the patient treatment prior to drug testing, the results might be more applicable at the time when a new treatment is to be decided. The project is performed in collaboration with Claes Andersson and Kristin Blom, Dept of Medical Sciences.
Internet-based support (Carer eSupport) for informal caregivers of patients with head and neck cancer – a multicentre randomized controlled trial
Birgitta Johansson
Informal care is unpaid and provided by a dependent person’s partner, another family member or a friend, i.e. informal caregivers. Informal caregivers to people who undergoes treatment for head- and neck cancer commonly have to take a on a great responsibility for the homebased care, which they may not be prepared for. Informal caregivers have great unmet needs for support from healthcare professionals and are at risk for a decreasing health which may persist for several years.
The overall aim the project is to develop, test and evaluate the effect of internet-based support (Carer eSupport) for informal caregivers (IC s) to patients’ head and neck cancer (HNC) on preparedness for caregiving, caregiver burden and self-perceived health, compared to standard care, within a randomized controlled trial. The project is conducted in close collaboration between researchers within, medicine, cancer nursing and human-computer interaction and started 2020.
In the first study, ICs were interviewed regarding their experiences of caring for someone with head and neck cancer, and their opinions about how an internet-based support may be designed with regard to content and user interface. We have used the results from that study to develop the first version of the internet-based support (Carer eSupport).
During 2023 we will test this version of Carer eSupport in a group of ICs. The knowledge from the test will be used to refine and improve Carer eSupport with regard to the content and the user interface. When Carer eSupport may be deemed to be optimal we will evaluate the effects of the support on ICs preparedness for care, perceived care burden and health.
The project is supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council 2020-2022 and the Swedish Cancer Society 2021-2023. The project is a multidisciplinary collaboration with researchers from IGP, Dept. of Surgical Sciences, Dept of Information Technology and Dept. of Women's and Children's Health.
Internet-based screening and stepped care for adult cancer patients with anxiety or depression symptoms
Birgitta Johansson, Peter Nygren
The research programme U-CARE is an interdisciplinary project in the field of psychosocial care in connection with somatic disease. We were heading the subproject within adult oncology care, which aims to evaluate the effects of internet based stepped care (iCAN-DO) on anxiety, depression and health related quality of life in cancer patients compared to standard care.
iCAN-DO decreased the levels of symptoms of depression and the proportion of individuals with symptoms of depression at 10 months, compared with conventional care. There were no significant effects on anxiety or HRQoL. Patients who had used iCAN-DO found it safe and reliable and used it as a complement to standard care, according to an interview study. An evaluation of the effects of iCAN-DO at 24 months is ongoing.