Danish Cancer Institute’s Post

What a brilliant way to start 2025! 🌟 🚀   We’re delighted to share that a groundbreaking research initiative led by the Danish Cancer Institute's Professor Jiri Bartek has been awarded an impressive 30 million kr. grant from the Lundbeckfonden / Lundbeck Foundation's Collaborative Projects programme. This funding will drive vital research into the role of Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in brain cancer, with a particular focus on glioblastoma.   Glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of brain cancer, remains a challenge in oncology due to the lack of effective treatments. The research team aims to uncover how HCMV— a DNA virus that latently infects most of the global population and is frequently detected in brain tumours — might contribute to the onset and progression of this devastating disease.   The project will explore how HCMV variant viruses disrupt brain cell metabolism, cause genetic instability, and promote tumour growth. The goal is to uncover vulnerabilities in glioblastoma cells.   Professor Bartek explains:    💬 “We are thrilled and deeply grateful for this opportunity to explore HCMV’s role in glioblastoma pathogenesis. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to uncover new therapeutic avenues to combat this malignant disease.”   This ambitious project is a collaboration between leading scientists from the DCI, the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the University of Turku in Finland, led by Professor Cecilia Soderberg-Naucler.

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Tuula Kallunki

Group leader at Cancer Invasion and Resistance (CIR), Danish Cancer Institute/Associate Professor Drug Design and Pharmacology Univ. of Copenhagen

2mo

Congrats Jiri!

Terry Pan

ABclonal-Yurogen LLC - Antibody development Manager in Europe

2mo

Great to learn about HCMV— a DNA virus that latently infects most of the global population and is frequently detected in brain tumours. Maybe we can support your research with the neutralizing mAb or nanobody discovery 😀

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Doris Vejby-Sørensen

Forskningssekretær hos Kræftens Bekæmpelse

2mo

Congratulation - you deserves it for your hard work for many years. Send my best wishes to your team.

Vanda Lauridsen Turcanova

Lab manager at the Danish Cancer Institute

2mo

Congratulations! My old flame - viruses and cancer 🙂

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Mads Melbye

Director, Danish Cancer Institute, Research Director, Danish Cancer Society and Visiting Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine

2mo

Fascinating project. Congratulations.

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