Targeting epigenetic regulators to develop novel therapeutic strategies and precision medicine in human haematological cancers
Our research program is rooted in our previous successful work of mapping the genome-wide distribution of histone modifications and transcriptomes in tumours of haematological origin. We have previously published material on epigenetic-mediated silencing of tumour suppressor genes by global epigenomic reconfiguration in multiple myeloma (MM). We aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms leading to aberrant epigenetic silencing by histone and DNA methylation, and to functionally validate the role of identified repressed noncoding and coding genes for transformation and proliferation of MM in vitro and in vivo. Using our experience in epigenomic mapping in haematopoietic tumours, we have now expanded our research plan to include novel and tumour specific therapies that can improve the outcome of infants diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (iALL) is a rare haematological disease, arising during the first year of life and despite decades of research, limited improvements have been observed. However, due to large intra-tumour heterogeneity the identification of common causative alterations for iALL and MM has been hampered. Further understanding of the biology of iALL and MM is of primary importance to tackle the disease complexity. Our platform portfolio including long-term bioinformatics support (WABI) from the national bioinformatics infrastructure (NBIS), induction into the bioinformatics advisory program and our expertise in genome wide epigenomics analysis now provide the basis for aiming to find novel concepts for tumour development and targeted treatment strategies in MM and iALL.
Group members
Patrick Nylund, PhD student
Berta Garrido-Zabala, PhD student
Antonia Kalushkova Nair, researcher
Charlotta Sandberg, lab engineer
Fredrik Öberg, Adj professor
Kenneth Nilsson, Prof emeritus