Tobias Sjöblom explores what causes cancer to develop

Tobias Sjöblom welcomes us to UUniFI’s premises in the Segerstedt Building, which are in the midst of being fitted out. Furniture is scattered about haphazardly and construction work is underway in some areas. He divides his time between his workplace here and the Rudbeck Laboratory, where his research group is based. As a researcher, he is seeking answers to how cancer – colorectal cancer in particular – develops.

“We are studying this by sequencing the entire genome of cancerous tumours and comparing it with DNA from normal cells in the patient’s body. We are looking for DNA bases that have been replaced, lost or added, and which genes this has affected. If you do this for a very large number of patient tumours, you can see which genes and which systems in our cells are important in the development of cancer and in determining its characteristics,” explains Tobias Sjöblom.

Cancer can be detected using biomarkers

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in Sweden and generally has a good prognosis if detected at an early stage. And Tobias Sjöblom wants to contribute to this. Together with his research group, he has succeeded in identifying various biomarkers – specifically, different combinations of proteins in the blood – which could be useful not only for detecting colorectal cancer but also lung cancer and ovarian cancer. However, much research remains to be done before such a test could be introduced into the healthcare system.

Screening is a way of detecting people with cancer or precancerous tumours at an early stage. Tobias Sjöblom’s research group is currently developing such a test that could be sent home to everyone who meets a set criterion, such as being over a certain age. The intention is for recipients to be able to take a blood sample themselves and return it.

“For this type of test to work, we believe it would be preferable to use a low-cost medium such as filter paper for home sample collection. The sample collection cards could be sent by post. The blood drops collected could be used to measure protein levels in the blood using advanced technology, and DNA sequencing can also be carried out. This is a sample collection format that could be used for both genetic diagnostics and protein biomarker diagnostics,” explains Tobias Sjöblom.

What does it look like when a tumour develops?

The individuals invited to take part in the study represent a cross-section of the population. At present, sample collection is focusing on the 65–75 age group. They will be asked to submit a sample once a year for a period of three years.

“We want to see what happens when a tumour develops and how the levels of biomarkers change up until the point when symptoms appear. This is something completely unique. There is no other card-based sample collection in the world where you can observe this.”

After completing his doctoral studies, Tobias Sjöblom became particularly interested in colorectal cancer.

“After completing my PhD here in Uppsala, I was fortunate enough to do my postdoc at a research institute called the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, where I worked with Bert Vogelstein, who has made many important discoveries in cancer genetics.”

During his postdoctoral appointment in Baltimore, Maryland in the USA, Tobias Sjöblom helped to make significant advances in the field.

“We performed the first analysis of the entire protein-coding sequence in DNA for any human disease. It was for breast cancer and colorectal cancer. I developed the data analysis process that we used,” he says.

Identifying gene mutations that cause cancer

The technology has improved significantly since then, but the approach remains essentially the same. It involves identifying gene mutations that cause cancer and using that knowledge to try to develop diagnostic methods and treatments.

“On the treatment side, we’re working on several different avenues. One is something called loss of heterozygosity. This is a very common type of genetic damage that tumour cells acquire. They are careless with their DNA and lose large parts of their genetic variation.”

This “carelessness” can make the tumour more vulnerable and amenable to treatment. Tobias Sjöblom is capitalising on this opportunity to target the cancer.

“Firstly, we have developed various treatment principles that target the loss of certain genes. We can also demonstrate that conventional cancer treatment can be used in a somewhat smarter way to make tumour cells more sensitive to certain drugs. That is what I am currently developing.”

"A bold initiative aimed at generating new knowledge"

Alongside his research, Tobias Sjöblom has long held leadership roles, including at Biobank Sweden. And as Head of the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, he has led Uppsala University’s largest department. He is now taking on the role of Head of Uppsala University Future Institutes, UUniFI.

“UUniFI is a rather bold initiative aimed at generating new knowledge. We are convinced that this knowledge can only be attained if we combine different scientific disciplines and harness the breadth of the University’s research. It is an initiative across six strategically selected areas where Uppsala University has a strong potential to conduct excellent research with significant societal benefit. We call it ‘Beyond Excellence’ research,” says Tobias Sjöblom.

Dreams to make come true

Despite his new role, he will continue to have one foot firmly rooted in research. He still has many dreams he hopes to realise.

“Naturally, I would love to see one of our drug development projects become standard treatment. I experienced this 25 years ago when my doctoral thesis led to a new drug treatment for a rare type of skin cancer and a rare form of leukaemia. And I wish I could contribute to the earlier detection of cancer and the identification of an increased risk of cancer, which could lead to better public health and make a difference to people’s lives,” says Tobias Sjöblom.

Åsa Malmberg