Group Erik Elias

Research summary

In our research group we focus on characterizing genetic and molecular alterations in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) with an overall aim to understand NET tumorigenesis and improve patient care. NETs originate from hormone-secreting neuroendocrine cells and often exhibit a highly differentiated and indolent phenotype but readily metastasize.

Compared to more common carcinomas, NETs are often genetically stable with a low frequency of mutations. NET tumors also generally do not respond to traditional oncological treatments such as cytotoxic drugs and external radiation.

By performing profiling studies of DNA copy number alterations, mRNA and miRNA transcriptomes we have been able to divide NETs into clinically relevant subgroups. We also utilize whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing and functional experiments with primary cultured tumor cells to aquire a deeper understanding of NET tumor biology.

Research tools and resources

Our research platform utilizes a translational research model. Tumor tissue and clinical data are collected in cooperation with the department of Endocrine and sarcoma surgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

Our preclinical laboratory uses techniques such as immunohistochemical analysis, cell cycle analysis, FISH, RT-PCR and sequencing to analyse tumor tissue. To verify new finding and to test new treatment strategies we perform in vitro analyses on patient-derived tumor cells and cell-lines as well as in vivo experiments on a mouse model.

Current group members

Erik Elias, PhD, Med Dr, Principal investigator (Junior PI)
Yvonne Arvidsson, PhD, Associate Professor
Bilal Almobarak, PhD student

The grouped is closely linked to the Department of Endocrine and Sarcoma surgery at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.

We are also part of Sahlgrenska Translational Neuroendocrine Cancer Group (SATNEC).

Selected publications

1. Independent somatic evolution underlies clustered neuroendocrine tumors in the human small intestine.
   Elias E, Ardalan A, Lindberg M, Reinsbach SE, Muth A, Nilsson O, Arvidsson Y, Larsson E. Nat Commun. 2021 Nov 4;12(1):6367. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-26581-5.
    

2. Evaluation of SSTR2 Expression in SI-NETs and Relation to Overall Survival after PRRT.
   Elf AK, Johanson V, Marin I, Bergström A, Nilsson O, Svensson J, Wängberg B, Bernhardt P, Elias E. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Apr 23;13(9):2035. doi: 10.3390/cancers13092035.
    

3. SMAD4 haploinsufficiency in small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors.
   Hofving T, Elias E, Rehammar A, Inge L, Altiparmak G, Persson M, Kristiansson E, Johansson ME, Nilsson O, Arvidsson Y. BMC Cancer. 2021 Jan 28;21(1):101. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-07786-9. PMID: 33509126
    

4. 177Lu-octreotate therapy for neuroendocrine tumours is enhanced by Hsp90 inhibition.
   Hofving T, Sandblom V, Arvidsson Y, Shubbar E, Altiparmak G, Swanpalmer J, Almobarak B, Elf AK, Johanson V, Elias E, Kristiansson E, Forssell-Aronsson E, Nilsson O.  Endocr Relat Cancer. 2019 Apr 1;26(4):437-449. doi: 10.1530/ERC-18-0509. Epub 2019 Feb 1. PubMed PMID: 30730850; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6391910.
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More group Erik Elias publications on PubMed