Expertises

With an educational background in molecular cancer biology, a PhD in molecular diagnostics and tumor signaling pathways and 5 years of post doc experience in epidemiology, clinical genetics, bioinformatics, and cancer immunology, I have investigated several aspect of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) with the aim to characterize different tumor subsets for precision medicine. As a senior scientist, I have focused more on the immunotherapeutic potential in Lynch syndrome cancer patients and aid in the daily management of the national Danish HNPCC register.

Main research areas

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer type in the world with more than 1 million new diagnoses each year. Approximately 20% is estimated to be caused by hereditary factors and 5% are caused by known germline mutations. The Danish HNPCC Register holds more than 7000 Danish families with verified or suspected genetic defects, who are at increased risk of developing primarily colorectal cancer, but also cancer in other organs. We wish to identify the genetic causes of colorectal cancer, to refine colonoscopic surveillance programs, to investigate the genetic alterations and features that promote tumor development, to estimate phenotype-specific risk for tumor development in different organs, and to elucidate the immunotherapeutic potential in Lynch syndrome cancer patients.

Current research

The HNPCC Register holds 7 distinct family subtypes. Each of these subtypes has specific issues to be addressed. In the families with yet unidentified genetic defects (FCCTX and Late Onset), we are applying next generation sequencing methods to search for new cancer genes that can explain their increased risk of colorectal cancer. In the families with verified genetic mutations (Lynch syndrome), we are estimating the phenotype-specific risk of extra-colonic cancer and investigating different prognostic and treatment-predictive biomarkers.

Curriculum

Education and positions
2018- : Senior scientist and daily manager in the Danish HNPCC register, Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

2014-2018: Postdoc, Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

2013-2014: Postdoc, Department of Oncology and Pathology, Lund University, Sweden

2008-2013: PhD in molecular diagnostics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Copenhagen University, Title: Genomic profiling of Lynch syndrome and familial colorectal cancer type X. Clinical Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre, Denmark

2008: Research assistant, Clinical Research Unit, Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark

2007: Master degree in biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Copenhagen University. Title: HU-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in lymphoblastoid cells. Department of Cell Cycle and Cancer, The Danish Cancer Society, Denmark

Teaching and areas of guidance

PhD and Master students
2 PhD students (co-supervisor)
3 Master students (main supervisor)

Publications
26 peer-reviewed original articles, 2 reviews, 1 national publication

Journal reviewer
Peer-reviewer for 8 journals

Memberships
International Society for Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancer
European Hereditary Tumor Group
International Mismatch Repair Consortium