The outcome of lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma is worse than most other cancers. Our research group focuses on clinical and translational studies to improve the outcome for patients with lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.

We try to improve survival and quality of life for patients with thoracic malignancies by: 

1. Identifying mechanisms of effect and resistance to immunotherapy alone or combined with other treatment modalities
2. Improve the effect of immunotherapy by combination with radiotherapy and/or cancer vaccines
3. Expanding indications for targeted therapy by cancer repurposing

We aim at promoting collaboration within Oslo University Hospital by regular research meetings for people involved with lung cancer research at the hospital. We also emphasize national and international collaboration.  

Research Group's Organisation

The lung cancer research group consist of 6-8 clinical oncologists, 5 study nurses and study coordinators and 4 PhD students. The Lung cancer section at Dept of Oncology is headed by Maria Bjaanæs and runs academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials. The lung cancer research group is headed by Vilde Drageset Haakensen and focus on clinical and translational studies run in collaborative efforts involving extensive collaboration with other groups in OUS, nationwide and internationally. Our main collaborative partner is the research group Translational studies on solid tumours led by Åslaug Helland, that uses biological material and clinical data from the trials for translational analyses and uses preclinical models to identify new targets for therapy.