SEK 2.4 million for lung cancer research
Clotilde Wiel receives a SEK 2.4 million grant from the Lundberg Foundation for advanced lung cancer research. The funding will be used to purchase an instrument that monitors real-time cellular metabolism. The goal is to detect the disease earlier and develop more effective treatments for metastatic lung cancer.
Clotilde Wiel is one of three researchers at the Institute of Clinical Sciences who receives funding from the IngaBritt and Arne Lundberg Research Foundation in 2023. The other two are Pernilla Eliasson and Roy Tranberg (see fact box below).
Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, often detected late, after it has already spread and developed metastases (secondary tumors). Clotilde Wiel is studying how cellular metabolism is linked to the development of lung cancer and metastases.
Expose cancer’s vulnerabilities
What type of equipment will you be purchasing with the 2.4 million grant from the Lundberg Foundation?
“We will be able to purchase a Metabolic Seahorse Analyzer. This instrument monitors real-time cellular metabolism of all types of cells, in a high-throughput format.”
What will the new instrument mean for your research?
“We want to characterize how metabolic disturbances impact lung cancer development and progression. We’ll use this knowledge to identify novel biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer, pinpoint metabolic drivers of metastasis, and to eventually expose targetable vulnerabilities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC),” says Clotilde Wiel, continuing:
“With this new equipment, we will be able to map the metabolism, how the cells produce energy from their nutrient, of tumor cells or their surrounding cells such as Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes, and to understand the consequence of therapies on their metabolism.”
”Key equipment for progress”
Recent years have seen significant advancements in treatments targeting the primary tumor of lung cancer. However, there has been no corresponding improvement in either the early detection of lung cancer or the management of metastatic disease.
“To improve lung cancer patients’ outcome, our team’s objective is to focus on these two actionable approaches: early detection and targeting metastasis. To do so, we aim to obtain a comprehensive analysis of the metabolic changes associated with early and late stages of lung cancer,” says Clotilde Wiel.
When do you expect to have the new equipment in place?
“We hope to have it operational by late winter or early spring in 2024, but I am aware that a purchase of such instrument can take some time. Though, I am looking forward to having it up and running as soon as possible because this is a key equipment for investigating metabolism of not only cancer cells, but also immune cells and other cells present in the tumor-microenvironment.”
Text: Jakob Lundberg
In 2023, the Lundberg Research Foundation distributes nearly SEK 36 million among 16 medical research projects in western Sweden. Three of them are at the Institute of Clinical Sciences the Sahlgrenska Academy.
Clotilde Wiel receives 2.4 million to acquire equipment for tumor metabolism analysis, with the aim of promoting precision therapies for lung cancer.
Pernilla Eliasson receives 2.5 million to develop a modern molecular biology laboratory for advanced orthopedic research.
Roy Tranberg receives 1.4 million to develop a modern research laboratory for motion analysis.
