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The surgical treatment isolated hyperthermic perfusion involves isolating the part of the body where the cancer is - usually in the liver or the extremities - and applying high doses of chemotherapy without affecting the rest of the body. In the picture, the treatment of Roger Olofsson Bagge is carried out with the surgery team. Photo: Paul Björkman.

New doctoral thesis: Synergy of surgery and immunotherapy against melanoma

5 February, 2024

DOCTORAL THESIS. Isolated limb perfusion (ILP) is a specialized cancer treatment method in which Gothenburg is a global frontrunner. The doctoral research of Carl-Jacob Khailat Holmberg reveals how the efficacy of ILP can be boosted when integrated with modern immunotherapy.

CARL-JACOB KHAILAT HOLMBERG
Dissertation defense: 23 februari 2024 (Click for details)
Doctoral thesis: Melanoma surgery in the era of modern immunotherapy (Read the thesis in Gupea)
Research area: Surgery
Sahlgrenska Academy, The Institute of Clinical Sciences

The treatment of advanced melanoma, notorious for its aggressive nature and poor survival rate upon metastasis, has been revolutionized in recent years thanks to the groundbreaking advent of immunotherapy. These Nobel Prize-honored treatments, which activate the body’s own immune system to combat cancer, have radically transformed patient outcomes.

“We’re charting new territory with these advancements. The entire research community is now recalibrating, striving to identify the most effective mix of existing treatments,” explains Carl-Jacob Khailat Holmberg, a surgeon at Stockholm South General Hospital and a clinical researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg.

What is your research about?

Carl-Jacob Khailat Holmberg, a surgeon at Stockholm South General Hospital and a clinical researcher at Sahlgrenska Academy in Gothenburg.

“My work focuses on further developing surgery in combination with these state-of-the-art immunotherapies. At Sahlgrenska University Hospital, we have the national center for Isolated Limb Perfusion (ILP), a surgical technique where limbs with melanoma metastases are isolated and treated with high-concentration, heated chemotherapy via a heart-lung machine. Part of my study involves enhancing this locally effective technique with immunotherapy, which systematically targets the rest of the body.”

Crafting the optimal treatment blend

What are your key research findings?

Figure 2, page 10 of the thesis. Isolated Limb Perfusion (ILP), a cancer treatment in which the limb affected by metastases is isolated from the rest of the blood circulation and perfused with high concentrations of heated chemotherapy agents.

“Our research demonstrates that ILP remains a potent option even after prior immunotherapy, which was previously uncertain. Additionally, our randomized controlled trials reveal that administering a single dose of immunotherapy a day before surgery can boost ILP’s effectiveness. It’s a thrilling development.”

How will this impact melanoma treatment?

“These advancements enable us to precisely tailor a blend of various technologies, improving disease management for our patients. On a larger scale, it underscores the vital role of surgery in melanoma treatment, especially when combined with modern immunotherapies.”

Becoming a research surgeon

What aspects of your PhD project were most enjoyable?

Cover of the thesis.

“I have enjoyed every phase of it, from the initial collaboration with leading international research centers to the translation of preclinical data into practical surgical procedures, and merging immuno-oncology with surgical techniques,” shares Carl-Jacob Khailat Holmberg, adding:

“But above all, it has been exciting to learn the craft of being a research surgeon. This transition has expanded my understanding of medicine from a two-dimensional view to a three-dimensional perspective, which is profoundly gratifying.”

BT: JAKOB LUNDBERG
The article was first published on the website of the Institute of Clinical Sciences.

By: Elin Lindström
Tagged With: avhandling, institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper, institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper

HAPPY SUMMER!

The newsletter from Akademiliv will return on Wednesday, August 21st.

Contact your institute to add your event to the calendar in the Staff Portal

  • Biomedicine: Kristian Kvint: kalender@biomedicine.gu.se
  • Core Facilities: Amelie Karlsson: amelie.karlsson.2@gu.se
  • Clinical Sciences: Katarina Olinder Eriksson: klinvet@gu.se
  • Medicine: Nina Raun; kommunikation@medicine.gu.se
  • Neuroscience and Physiology: Josefin Bergenholtz; kommunikation@neuro.gu.se
  • Odontology: Johan Thompson; info@odontologi.gu.se
  • Sahlgrenska Academy’s Office and faculty-wide calendar events Åsa Ekvall; info@sahlgrenska.gu.se
  • Health and Care Sciences: Karin Mossberg; vardvetenskap@fhs.gu.se

Information from Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office

[UPDATED JUNE 2024]
The Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office provides an overview of upcoming and current calls, nominations and events in an information letter. This letter is updated on a monthly basis.
Current and previous newsletters are also available in the Staff Portal.

’20 minutes for researchers’ is back – see full spring program

During 20 minutes over Zoom, the Biomedical Library gives tips on tools and services that can facilitate your research everyday life.

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