Expertises

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) and Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL). Investigator-initiated, inter-group studies in CLL (Nordic CLL study group, the HOVON (the Netherlands) and the GCLLSG (Germany) study groups), MRD testing and biobanking for MCL studies (Nordic Lymphoma group). Genetic and functional characterization of primary CLL cells (collaboration with NIH and DFCI), Machine learning algorithms and epidemiology (collaboration with PERSIMUNE, SSI and DTU).

Main research areas

CLL is a malignancy of antigen reactive, mature B cells involving blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissues and is the most common leukemia in Western countries with a very heterogeneous clinical course. By molecular and genetic characterization of primary CLL cells and application of machine-learning iterations to identify big data patterns within the generated data in combination with demographic, paraclinical, , microbial, and clinical parameters to develop tailored CLL-specific treatment and supportive care at the individual patient level.

Current research

With the B-cell receptor pathway as the core, my group has been part of a paradigm shift for treatment of CLL with novel targeted therapies developed also for patients with the most dismal outcome due to TP53 aberrations. With the parallel development of translational and experimental studies based on our own unique CLL biobank, CLL epidemiology studies based on the comprehensive Danish National CLL database, and CLL clinical inter-group trials, we have created a unique position for development of not only prognostic algorithms but also tailored novel treatment regimens, which can be prospectively validated via investigator-initiated clinical trials.

Potential conflicts of interest

Research funding from the Danish Cancer Society, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Arvid Nilssons Foundation, Rigshospitalet, Abbvie and Persimune. Clinical research collaboration: Roche, Novartis, Janssen, Abbvie.Consultancies, travel grants: Roche, Abbvie, Janssen, Novartis, Gilead