Karolinska Institutet, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm University and Region Stockholm intend to establish a new centre for medical radiation science in Stockholm. By combining the universities' cutting-edge expertise in key research areas with healthcare sector expertise, it is a gathering of forces to develop the cancer treatment of the future.
One in three people in Sweden is expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point, and over 600,000 people live with the disease or have had it. This makes cancer one of our biggest health challenges.
Almost half of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy, which is an important cornerstone of treatment. With individualised treatment combined with targeted immunotherapy and new drugs, the effect of radiation therapy can be improved while protecting healthy tissue. Today's advanced techniques, such as tumor imaging, biomarker studies, and innovative AI-based strategies, offer additional personalised treatments.
Combines cutting-edge expertise
To continue driving positive development in cancer treatment, it is essential to combine cutting-edge expertise in various research areas at Stockholm's three universities with the experience and expertise of Region Stockholm.
Therefore, Karolinska Institutet, KTH, Stockholm University and Region Stockholm intend to establish a joint centre for interdisciplinary research and education in medical radiation science and its applications. Primarily in medical radiotherapy, imaging of tumours, cancer-related biomarkers and radiation protection.
The centre will bring together leading researchers, clinicians and engineers from academia, healthcare and industry, and strengthen Stockholm's and Sweden's position in precision-oriented radiation therapy and related areas.
"Precision-focused radiation therapy is a promising area of research. Karolinska Institutet values this initiative and the opportunity to participate in developing future cancer treatments in collaboration with other leading universities and Region Stockholm. I believe that this gathering of forces will be of great importance to many patients, their relatives and society at large," says Karolinska Institutet's president Annika Östman Wernerson.
The four parties have now signed a letter of intent for the centre, intending to build up the joint research and education environment in Hagastaden in Stockholm.
More voices on the centre establishment
Mikael Lindström, deputy president of KTH:
"The fact that we are now joining forces through the formation of a centre for medical radiation science is both an important and natural development. KTH will contribute with its solid and long-standing expertise in both research and education, to jointly develop a more individualized and precise cancer treatment."
Hans Adolfsson, president of Stockholm University:
"Our universities and healthcare in Stockholm have a long tradition of research, education and clinical activities in radiation therapy, and a leading role nationally and globally in innovations and research on radiation therapy and medical radiation physics. Stockholm University, for example, has a very good collaboration between medical radiation physics and radiation biology, which will promote the centre's activities."
Emma Lennartsson, Stockholm regional director:
"The Stockholm region is an extremely important growth engine for research and development, not least in life science. Research and development of radiotherapy has a proud history in Stockholm, and the business community in this field is prominent. The gathering of forces through the new centre provides the conditions for further raising the level of collaboration between excellent academic environments, high-quality healthcare and an innovative business community in this vital area."
