This condition can arise from factors such as obesity, prolonged stress, and cancer treatments. Additionally, we are developing predictive models and identifying biomarkers that can be used for risk stratification of prostate cancer patients.

Our research

Our research aims to pave the way for sustainable treatment strategies, ultimately reducing treatment induced side-effects without affecting oncological outcome. 

Beta-blockers has for several decades been used in the treatment of e.g cardivascular disease, migrain and anxiety disorders. Beta-blockers inhibits the activity of the sympathetic nervous. Epidemiological register studies suggest that use of beta-blockers is associated with better outcome in several cancer types. Their causative role are supported by mechanistical studies in cell lines and animal models systems. 

Our goals

Our long-term objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of beta-blockers in improving outcomes for prostate cancer patients through randomized clinical trials. Additionally, we seek to identify biomarkers and develop predictive models that will help select the most suitable patients for this form of therapy.

Repurposing out-of-patent drugs for treatment of cancer is a desirable approach that saves time and money during development, has a low cost in use, and the pile of safety data that have been collected over many years.

Cooperation

  • Malin Hagberg Thulin and Matti Poutanen, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
  • Alberto Briganti, Gandaglia Giorgio and Barletta Francesco, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy
  • May Britt Tessem, Tone Frost Bathen and Morten Beck Rye, Petter Davik, Norwegian University of Science and Technology and St.Olavs Hospital, Norway
  • Monica and Reinert Korsnes, KoBio, Trondheim, Norway
  • Kirsi Ketola, University og Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
  • Elai Davicioni, VeraCyte Inc., Florence, Italy
  • Thomas Kristiansen, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital
  • Suraj Thapa, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo
  • Anders Bjartell, Lunds universitetet, Sverige