Eva Hellström-Lindberg appointed Wallenberg Clinical Scholar 2018

KI researcher Eva Hellström-Lindberg has been appointed Wallenberg Clinical Scholar 2018, as one out of four researchers. She is granted SEK 15 million to build upon the discovery of a genetic change that is associated with a better disease prognosis of MDS, a form of blood cancer, and develop treatments.

Wallenberg Clinical Scholars is part of the SEK 2.5 billion that the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is investing to boost medical research and the life sciences, Life Science. During the program period, 2015-2025, 25 grants will be awarded to Sweden's foremost clinical researchers.

Each researcher is receiving SEK 15 million for a five-year period, with the potential for a five-year extension. Universities with medical faculties are invited to nominate researchers for these research grants and The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is responsible for the scientific evaluation.

“Sweden has exceptionally good conditions for world-leading clinical research, but it has become increasingly difficult to combine research with the current pressured healthcare system. It is therefore very pleasing that the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation is making such a significant investment and providing some of our most outstanding clinical researchers with such excellent resources. This is a great benefit, both for medical research and for Swedish healthcare,” says Göran K. Hansson, Secretary General of the Academy of Sciences, in a press release.

Significantly improved the treatment of blood cancer

Eva Hellström-Lindberg, chief physician and professor at the Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, conducts research that has significantly improved the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a form of blood cancer. Her objectives include being able to predict relapses following a bone marrow transplant, so as to save the lives of even more affected patients. Early treatment of a relapse increases the chance of being able to save the patient’s life.

As a Wallenberg Clinical Scholar, Eva Hellström-Lindberg will build upon the discovery of a genetic change that is associated with a better disease prognosis, and develop treatments that can make the disease take a benign course.