https://ki.se RSS News Listing https://news.ki.se/common-inexpensive-drug-halves-recurrence-in-colorectal-cancer A Swedish-led research team at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital has shown in a new randomized clinical trial that a low dose of the well-known medicine aspirin halves the risk of recurrence after surgery in patients with colon and rectal cancer with a certain type of genetic alteration in the tumor. Wed, 17 Sep 2025 23:00:14 +0200 https://news.ki.se/even-healthy-children-can-be-severely-affected-by-rsv It is not only premature babies and children with underlying diseases who suffer from serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. Even healthy, full-term babies are at significant risk of intensive care or prolonged hospitalisation – especially during the first three months of life. This is according to a comprehensive registry study from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Regional Health – Europe. Wed, 10 Sep 2025 01:30:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/no-support-for-dual-antiplatelet-therapy-after-cardiac-bypass-surgery Dual antiplatelet therapy after cardiac bypass surgery is no more effective than acetylsalicylic acid alone and also increases the risk of serious bleeding. This is shown in a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the University of Gothenburg published in the journal The New England Journal of Medicine. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 14:00:48 +0200 https://news.ki.se/adhd-medication-linked-to-lower-risk-of-suicide-attempts-substance-abuse-and-criminality People who take medication for ADHD have a lower risk of suicide attempts, substance abuse, traffic accidents, and criminality than people with ADHD who do not take medication. This is shown in a new study by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and University of Southampton, published in the journal BMJ. Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:10:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/no-evidence-that-drugs-trigger-microscopic-colitis-in-older-people There is a perception that common drugs such as ibuprofen and SSRI preparations can trigger the intestinal disease microscopic colitis (MC). However, a new study from Karolinska Institutet and Harvard Medical School suggests that this is not the case – meaning that patients with MC do not need to stop taking important medications. Mon, 30 Jun 2025 23:00:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/inflammatory-cells-remain-in-the-blood-after-treatment-of-severe-asthma Biological drugs have improved the lives of many people with severe asthma. However, a new study from Karolinska Institutet shows that some immune cells with high inflammatory potential are not completely eradicated after treatment. Thu, 26 Jun 2025 09:00:09 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-possibilities-for-engineering-safer-medications Shane Wright, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, and colleagues have uncovered a new way to tailor signaling responses mediated by common drug targets that coincidentally shares ties with our department’s history. The work, recently published in Cell, reveals a novel drug mechanism with the potential for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. Shane tells us more about it below. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 17:28:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-drug-for-diabetes-and-obesity-shows-promising-results Lower blood sugar and increased fat burning – without negatively affecting appetite or muscle mass. These are some of the most promising effects of a new potential drug treatment for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity, according to a new study published in the journal Cell by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University. Mon, 23 Jun 2025 17:06:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-strategy-for-the-treatment-of-severe-childhood-cancer Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Lund University have identified a new treatment strategy for neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer. By combining two antioxidant enzyme inhibitors, they have converted cancer cells in mice into healthy nerve cells. The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:00:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/a-new-method-to-better-understand-how-drugs-work According to a study published in Nature Communications, researchers at the Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet have made a significant leap in drug discovery and development with a new method called CeTEAM. This approach connects how drugs bind to their targets inside cells with the effects they produce, offering a clearer understanding of how a drug works. Fri, 06 Dec 2024 11:32:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/cardiovascular-drugs-may-reduce-dementia-risk Common cardiovascular drugs are linked to a lower risk of dementia in older age, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:28:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/antiseizure-drugs-during-pregnancy-may-affect-neurodevelopment Children whose mothers have taken antiseizure drugs during pregnancy are more likely than others to receive a neuropsychiatric diagnosis. This is according to a comprehensive study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and elsewhere, published in Nature Communications. However, the researchers emphasise that the absolute risk is low. Fri, 15 Nov 2024 11:00:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/very-early-medical-abortion-is-effective-and-safe Clinics and hospitals currently defer medication abortion until ultrasound confirms a pregnancy inside the uterus. However, a large international study led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet now indicates that treatment can be equally effective and safe even before the sixth week of pregnancy. The study is published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Wed, 06 Nov 2024 23:00:11 +0100 https://news.ki.se/the-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-helps-us-understand-the-building-blocks-of-life David Baker, USA, has succeeded in creating entirely new proteins – the building blocks of life that control all biological processes in the body. He shares the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 with Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper of Google DeepMind, UK, who have developed the AI tool AlphaFold2. “Now it can take minutes instead of years to get a good idea of what a protein looks like and how it may function,” says KI professor Luca Jovine, who intitiated a collaboration with DeepMind early on. Thu, 10 Oct 2024 08:00:30 +0200 https://news.ki.se/precision-therapy-for-metastatic-prostate-cancer-improves-survival Men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer should be treated primarily with second-generation hormone drugs, which offer better treatment response and longer life expectancy than chemotherapy. However, the effect depends on which mutations the patient’s tumour carries. This is shown by results from the ProBio study, led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The findings are published in Nature Medicine. Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:00:16 +0200 https://news.ki.se/popular-drug-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-dementia-in-older-diabetes-patients Older people with type 2 diabetes who are treated with GLP-1 agonists have a decreased risk of developing dementia, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal eClinicalMedicine. Fri, 21 Jun 2024 06:00:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/bodys-message-in-a-bottle-delivers-targeted-cancer-treatment Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have succeeded in delivering targeted cancer treatment via small membrane bubbles that our cells use to communicate. A new study published in Nature Biomedical Engineering shows that the treatment reduces tumour growth and improves survival in mice. Mon, 20 May 2024 11:00:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-drug-candidate-reverses-obesity-in-mice Researchers at Karolinska Institutet may have found a new way to treat obesity and related disorders by targeting the cells’ powerhouses, the mitochondria. A study published in Nature Metabolism shows that a specific class of drugs that block mitochondrial function can reverse diet-induced obesity, fatty liver and diabetes in mice. Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:00:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/popular-diabetes-drugs-do-not-increase-thyroid-cancer-risk-study-suggests Drugs known as GLP-1 analogues have become increasingly popular to treat diabetes and obesity, but there have been concerns that they might increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Now an extensive Scandinavian study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has found no evidence of such a link. The study is published in The BMJ. Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:30:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/no-link-between-paracetamol-use-during-pregnancy-and-autism-or-adhd-in-children In the largest epidemiologic study to date of the risk of giving birth to a child with autism, ADHD or intellectual disability following acetaminophen use during pregnancy, researchers found no association. The study is now published in JAMA. Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:00:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/adhd-medication-linked-to-reduced-mortality Researchers from Karolinska Institutet have shown a link between use of medication for ADHD and a reduced risk of premature death. The risk of death due to unnatural causes, such as accidents and overdoses, can be reduced by a quarter, according to the new study published in JAMA. Tue, 12 Mar 2024 17:00:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-shows-how-oestrogen-protects-against-fatty-liver New research from Karolinska Institutet shows how oestrogen protects against MASLD, a fatty liver disease that has increased dramatically during the current obesity epidemic. The study, published in Molecular Systems Biology, shows how a new drug under development could become a future treatment for fatty liver disease and liver cancer. Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:10:08 +0100 https://news.ki.se/popular-diabetes-drug-may-also-reduce-the-risk-of-severe-liver-disease Ozempic and other GLP1 agonists are associated with a reduced risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic liver disease, according to a nationwide study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Gut. Tue, 23 Jan 2024 18:00:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/finding-that-statins-could-slow-dementia-stimulates-further-research Blood fat-lowering statins could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, at least for some patients. This is the result of a new study led by Karolinska Institutet published in Alzheimer Research and Therapy. But the researchers are cautious in their interpretations and see the results as a first step in a research journey that may eventually provide the answer. Wed, 20 Dec 2023 10:07:37 +0100 https://news.ki.se/newer-diabetes-drugs-do-not-increase-fetal-risk Newer diabetes medicines do not appear to increase the risk of birth defects. The largest comparative study to date found no increased risk compared to treatment with insulin, which is considered safe during pregnancy. The study was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Mon, 11 Dec 2023 17:03:15 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-on-long-term-treatment-of-adhd-and-link-to-cardiovascular-disease A large proportion of patients who start taking ADHD medication, especially young adults, stop within the first year. However, people who use ADHD medicine for a long time and in higher-than-average doses seem to have a higher risk of some cardiovascular diseases. This is according to two new studies led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet and published in The Lancet Psychiatry and JAMA Psychiatry. Tue, 28 Nov 2023 07:54:24 +0100 https://news.ki.se/use-of-melatonin-linked-to-decreased-self-harm-in-young-people Medical sleep treatment may reduce self-harm in young people with anxiety and depression, an observational study from Karolinska Institutet suggests. The risk of self-harm increased in the months preceding melatonin prescription and decreased thereafter, especially in girls. The study is published in The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/common-heart-medicine-associated-with-lower-rates-of-violence Beta blockers, which are widely used to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure, are associated with a lower risk of being charged with a violent crime, according to a new register-based study from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Oxford. The results have been published in PLOS Medicine. Tue, 31 Jan 2023 20:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-on-how-to-avert-excessive-weight-loss-from-covid-19 Losing too much weight when infected with COVID-19 has been linked to worse outcomes. Now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 infection fuels blood vessel formation in fat tissues, thus revving up the body’s thermogenic metabolism. Blocking this process by using an existing drug curbed weight loss in mice and hamsters that were infected with the virus, according to the study published in the journal Nature Metabolism. Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:00:05 +0100 https://news.ki.se/positive-media-coverage-of-cannabis-studies-regardless-of-therapeutic-effect In cannabis trials against pain, people who take placebos report feeling largely the same level of pain relief as those who consume the active cannabinoid substance. Still, these studies receive significant media coverage regardless of the clinical outcome, report researchers from Karolinska Institutet in a study published in JAMA Network Open. Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-omicron-subvariant-largely-evades-neutralizing-antibodies A study at Karolinska Institutet shows that the coronavirus variant BA.2.75.2, an Omicron sublineage, largely evades neutralizing antibodies in the blood and is resistant to several monoclonal antibody antiviral treatments. The findings, published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggest a risk of increased SARS-CoV-2 infections this winter, unless the new updated bivalent vaccines help to boost immunity in the population. Fri, 14 Oct 2022 07:29:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-on-the-nobel-prize-in-chemistry-wonderful-and-not-at-all-unexpected The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to K. Barry Sharpless, Morten Meldal and Carolyn R. Bertozzi for the development of click chemistry, a quick and efficient way to build molecules. Several KI researchers use the technology in their daily research, one of which has co-authored a study with one of this year's prize winners. Here, they comment on the prize. Fri, 07 Oct 2022 17:08:49 +0200 https://news.ki.se/rheumatoid-arthritis-drug-effective-against-myasthenia Early intervention with rituximab, a drug used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can reduce the risk of deterioration in myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that causes loss of muscle control. This is according to a randomised clinical study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in the journal JAMA Neurology. Mon, 19 Sep 2022 17:00:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/late-and-low-prescription-of-recommended-drugs-for-heart-failure A study led by Karolinska Institutet shows that it often takes weeks for patients with heart failure to be prescribed the recommended treatments, especially relatively new drugs such as dapagliflozin and sacubitril/valsartan. According to the researchers, the results are troubling as these treatments reduce the risk of death and heart failure hospitalization, and improve the patients’ life quality. The study is published in the journal JACC: Heart Failure. Tue, 13 Sep 2022 11:25:19 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-treatment-principle-for-chronic-hepatitis-b-and-d-infections A new immunological treatment against hepatitis B and D viruses, both of which can cause liver cancer, shows promising results in animal models. Results from the treatment, which is being developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet, have been published in the journal Gut. Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:30:27 +0200 https://news.ki.se/hopes-of-a-new-curative-treatment-for-children-with-neuroblastoma Children who suffer a relapse of the aggressive cancer known as neuroblastoma have small chances of survival. However, a group including researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now shown that DHODH blockers, which are well-tolerated in humans, can cure neuroblastoma in mice if administered in combination with chemotherapy. The study, published in the journal JCI Insight, paves the way for clinical trials of this combination therapy. Mon, 22 Aug 2022 17:04:59 +0200 https://news.ki.se/improved-protein-function-opens-way-for-new-drug-development-concept Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab describe in a study published in Science how they have improved the ability of a protein to repair oxidative DNA damage and created a new protein function. Their innovative technique can lead to improved drugs for diseases involving oxidative stress, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and lung diseases, but the researchers believe it has even greater potential. Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/repurposing-cancer-drug-to-treat-neuroinflammation The repurposing of FDA-approved drugs for alternative diseases is a faster way of bringing new treatments into the clinic. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have repurposed a cancer drug for treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. A novel drug carrier was also developed to facilitate drug delivery to target myeloid cells. These pre-clinical findings are described in a paper in the journal EMBO Reports. Fri, 03 Jun 2022 21:19:37 +0200 https://news.ki.se/target-protein-for-diabetes-drug-linked-to-reduced-risk-of-alzheimers-disease Mechanisms associated with a particular diabetes drug can also help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in Neurology reports. The results indicate that the drug’s target protein can be an interesting candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Thu, 02 Jun 2022 22:00:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/six-lithium-dose-predictors-for-patients-with-bipolar-disorder Six predictors could help determine the amount of lithium needed to treat patients with bipolar disorder, according to a large study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The study, published in the journal The Lancet Psychiatry, also pinpoints genetic markers that seem to influence how quickly the body eliminates lithium from its system. Fri, 13 May 2022 06:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/promising-drug-candidates-for-crimean-congo-haemorrhagic-fever-identified Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified key signalling pathways that when blocked by existing drug candidates limit reproduction of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. The findings, published in the journal eLife, offer hope for patients affected by this potentially deadly disease. Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:08:40 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-strategy-to-preserve-insulin-producing-cells-in-diabetes High blood glucose is responsible for several complications in type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new antidiabetic substance that preserves the activity of insulin-producing beta cells and prevents high blood glucose in mice. The study is published in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Wed, 30 Mar 2022 20:00:11 +0200 https://news.ki.se/higher-risk-of-psychotropic-medication-after-sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace Sexual and gender-based harassment in the workplace can contribute to the development of mental ill-health requiring treatment with antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication, a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine reports. Thu, 10 Mar 2022 08:00:28 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-studied-baricitinib-as-possible-covid-treatment-gets-green-light-from-who WHO experts are now recommending using the drug baricitinib to treat severe COVID-19 infection. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet were involved in the early analysis of the drug’s efficacy against the disease: “I myself would’ve benefited from it when I got COVID-19,” says adjunct professor Ali Mirazimi. Mon, 17 Jan 2022 08:27:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-group-of-antibacterial-molecules-identified Researchers at Karolinska Institutet, Umeå University, and the University of Bonn have identified a new group of molecules that have an antibacterial effect against many antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Since the properties of the molecules can easily be altered chemically, the hope is to develop new, effective antibiotics with few side effects. The findings have been published in the scientific journal PNAS. Wed, 17 Nov 2021 08:02:16 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-comments-on-the-chemistry-prize-it-was-expected The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry rewards Benjamin List and David MacMillan for a new and ingenious tool for building molecules, asymmetric organocatalysis, which has contributed to more environmentally friendly chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Here, KI researcher Per I Arvidsson, Head of the Drug Discovery and Development Platform at SciLifeLab, comments on the discovery. He was one of those who introduced organocatalysis in Sweden and believes that the prize was expected. Fri, 08 Oct 2021 12:24:48 +0200 https://news.ki.se/only-a-minority-of-those-with-alcohol-use-disorders-receives-medication Only a minority of Swedes with alcohol use disorders are prescribed alcohol medication, a situation that has remained largely unchanged in the country since the mid-2000. That is according to a study at Karolinska Institutet published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Prescriptions of alcohol medication are also unevenly distributed in the society, the study found. Fri, 10 Sep 2021 11:30:05 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-cancer-findings-can-give-wider-access-to-immunotherapy Researchers at Karolinska Institutet publish new findings in the journal Cancer Discovery showing how pharmacological activation of the protein p53 boosts the immune response against tumours. The results can be of significance to the development of new combination therapies that will give more cancer patients access to immunotherapy. Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:05:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/hope-for-children-with-high-risk-neuroblastoma Thanks to many years of translational research, some children with the rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma may now be cured. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, researchers at among others Karolinska Institutet and University of Gothenburg write that so-called ALK inhibitors should be tried to treat children with high-risk neuroblastoma. That is after an analysis showed that children with mutations in the ALK gene have poorer prognosis. Thu, 24 Jun 2021 09:02:44 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-findings-provide-hope-for-treatment-of-multiple-myeloma Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have investigated the use of low dose venetoclax, an experimental drug, for the treatment of the heterogeneous cancer disease multiple myeloma in patients who had relapsed on standard therapies. The findings are published in the American Journal of Hematology and provide new hope for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Wed, 19 May 2021 08:36:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/microneedle-patch-delivers-antibiotics-locally-in-the-skin MRSA skin infections are often treated with intravenous injection of antibiotics, which can cause significant side effects and promote the development of resistant bacterial strains. To solve these problems, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden are developing a microneedle patch that delivers antibiotics directly into the affected skin area. New results published in Advanced Materials Technologies show that the microneedle patch effectively reduces MRSA bacteria in the skin. Mon, 10 May 2021 14:32:40 +0200 https://news.ki.se/common-alzheimers-treatment-linked-to-slower-cognitive-decline Cholinesterase inhibitors are a group of drugs recommended for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, but their effects on cognition have been debated and few studies have investigated their long-term effects. A new study involving researchers from Karolinska Institutet and published in the journal Neurology shows persisting cognitive benefits and reduced mortality for up to five years after diagnosis. Thu, 25 Mar 2021 16:07:12 +0100 https://news.ki.se/double-antibody-against-sars-cov-2-prevents-therapy-resistant-variants An international consortium that includes researchers at Karolinska Institutet has developed a ‘double antibody’ that targets two different sites of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby preventing the virus from mutating to resist the therapy. A study published in the scientific journal Nature shows that the antibody potently neutralises SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and protects against COVID-19 in mice. Thu, 25 Mar 2021 11:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/viagra-may-prolong-life-for-men-with-coronary-artery-disease Men with stable coronary artery disease who are on Viagra due to impotence seem to live longer and have a lower risk of experiencing a new heart attack, a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports. Mon, 22 Mar 2021 19:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/important-advance-in-research-on-future-drugs Most drugs operate via the membranes that surround the body’s cells. A study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet has now mapped the structure and mechanism of MGST2, a membrane enzyme that, amongst other things, plays a part in chronic inflammation and cancer. The study, which is published in the journal Nature Communications, can make a significant contribution to the development of future drugs. Fri, 19 Mar 2021 11:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/anticancer-drug-may-improve-outcome-for-severe-covid-19-patients Treating severe COVID-19 patients with the anticancer drug bevacizumab may reduce mortality and speed up recovery, according to a small clinical study in Italy and China that was led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden between February and April 2020. On average, blood oxygen levels, body temperature and inflammatory markers significantly improved in patients treated with a single dose of bevacizumab in addition to standard care. The research is published in Nature Communications. Fri, 05 Feb 2021 11:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/opioid-prescriptions-remained-elevated-two-years-after-critical-care Nearly 11 percent of people admitted to an intensive care unit in Sweden between 2010 and 2018 received opioid prescriptions on a regular basis for at least six months and up to two years after discharge. That is according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet published in Critical Care Medicine. The findings suggest some may become chronic opioid users despite a lack of evidence of the drugs’ long-term effectiveness and risks linked to increased mortality. Tue, 02 Feb 2021 15:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-offers-hope-of-new-treatment-for-accelerated-aging-in-children Researchers from Karolinska Institutet and Gothenburg University have investigated a potential new drug target for the rare genetic disorder Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome that causes accelerated aging in children. The findings in mice are published in the scientific journal eLife and may aid in the development of more effective treatments for this fatal condition. Tue, 02 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-small-antibodies-show-promising-effects-against-covid-19-infection Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed, in collaboration with researchers in Germany and the U.S., new small antibodies, also known as nanobodies, which prevent the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from entering human cells. The research study, published in Science, shows that a combined nanobody had a particularly good effect – even if the virus mutated. According to the researchers, the nanobodies have the potential to be developed into a treatment for COVID-19. Tue, 12 Jan 2021 16:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-awarded-28-million-dollar-nih-prime-grant-for-drug-targeting-the-opioid-systems-in-alcohol-dependence KI researcher Professor Lars Terenius, in collaboration with two US groups, has been awarded a 5-year Prime Project Grant of 2.8 million US dollars from The National Institutes of Health, USA, to study how selected drugs affect the dynamics of opioid systems in Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD). Tue, 12 Jan 2021 11:32:16 +0100 https://news.ki.se/stopping-ras-inhibitors-tied-to-worse-outcomes-in-patients-with-advanced-chronic-kidney-disease Small studies have suggested that a group of medications called RAS inhibitors may be harmful in persons with advanced chronic kidney disease, and physicians therefore often stop the treatment in such patients. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now show that although stopping the treatment is linked to a lower risk of requiring dialysis, it is also linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular events and death. The results are published in The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Tue, 29 Dec 2020 09:29:42 +0100 https://news.ki.se/novel-principle-for-cancer-treatment-shows-promising-effect Researchers at Karolinska Institutet report in the journal Nature that they have developed novel first-in-class inhibitors that compromise mitochondrial function in cancer cells. Treatment with the inhibitors stopped cancer cells from proliferating and reduced tumour growth in mice, without significantly affecting healthy cells. Wed, 16 Dec 2020 17:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/hopes-of-new-treatment-strategies-for-glaucoma In the search for new ways to treat the incurable eye disease glaucoma, researchers at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital have discovered more clues as to its pathogenesis. A new study shows how metabolic disturbance of the neurons coincide with raised pressure in the eye. In animal and cell models, rapamycin and pyruvate treatments were shown to have a protective effect. The study is published in the journal PNAS. Tue, 15 Dec 2020 09:45:01 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ras-inhibitors-not-linked-to-increased-risk-of-death-from-covid-19 Concerns have been raised that the use of a common group of medications called RAS inhibitors could facilitate SARS-CoV-2 infection, impact COVID-19 disease severity and worsen prognosis. However, in a new nationwide registry-based study from Karolinska Institutet, including almost 1.4 million patients, use of RAS inhibitors was not associated with increased risk of hospitalisation or death from COVID-19. The study has been published in the European Journal of Heart Failure. Thu, 26 Nov 2020 09:03:16 +0100 https://news.ki.se/promising-results-from-in-vitro-combination-therapy-against-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report promising results from an in vitro combination therapy against COVID-19. In a study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, the researchers show that a combination of remdesivir, an approved drug against COVID-19, and hrsACE2, a medicine currently in phase II trials for COVID-19 treatment, reduced the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and inhibited viral replication in cell cultures and organoids. Tue, 17 Nov 2020 06:22:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/baricitinib-treatment-linked-to-reduced-mortality-in-covid-19-patients The rheumatoid arthritis drug baricitinib can block viral entry and reduce mortality in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, according to translational research by an international team coordinated by researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The findings, published in the journal Science Advances, support the continuation of ongoing randomized clinical trials. Fri, 13 Nov 2020 20:00:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/anti-depressant-repurposed-to-treat-childhood-cancer A new study has found that a commonly prescribed anti-depressant may halt growth of a type of cancer known as childhood sarcoma, at least in mice and laboratory cell experiments. The findings, from researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas, ignite hope of novel treatment strategies against this disease. The study is published in the journal Cancer Research. Fri, 06 Nov 2020 09:15:03 +0100 https://news.ki.se/synthetic-antibody-can-block-sars-cov-2-infection By screening hundreds of synthetic antibodies, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and EMBL Hamburg in Germany have identified an antibody that may prevent the new coronavirus from infecting human cells. The study, which is published in the journal Nature Communications, also shows how antibodies can be quickly produced in the event of future pandemics. Wed, 04 Nov 2020 11:00:04 +0100 https://news.ki.se/antibiotics-associated-with-increased-risk-of-inflammatory-bowel-disease Antibiotics use, particularly antibiotics with greater spectrum of microbial coverage, may be associated with an increased risk of new-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its subtypes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. That is according to a study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and Harvard Medical School in the U.S., published in the journal The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. The association remained when patients were compared with their siblings. Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:30:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/antirheumatic-drug-linked-to-reduced-ventilator-time-for-patients-with-severe-covid-19 The drug tocilizumab, which is used in the treatment of various forms of arthritis, is associated with shorter time on ventilation and shorter hospital stays for patients with severe COVID-19, a new study from Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital published in The Journal of Internal Medicine reports. Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:14:38 +0200 https://news.ki.se/rheumatoid-arthritis-drug-shows-promise-against-covid-19-study-finds A drug against rheumatoid arthritis called baricitinib could potentially be repurposed to treat patients with COVID-19, according to a study conducted by an international research team including researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The findings, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, represent an example of how artificial intelligence (AI)-algorithms could help identify existing drugs as potential therapies against as new illnesses. Wed, 10 Jun 2020 14:39:31 +0200 https://news.ki.se/new-study-shows-how-ketamine-combats-depression The anaesthetic drug ketamine has been shown, in low doses, to have a rapid effect on difficult-to-treat depression. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet now report that they have identified a key target for the drug: specific serotonin receptors in the brain. Their findings, which are published in Translational Psychiatry, give hope of new, effective antidepressants. Mon, 01 Jun 2020 06:00:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-to-evaluate-effect-of-hyperbaric-oxygen-treatment-against-covid-19 Researchers at Karolinska Institutet are coordinating a recently initiated multi-national clinical trial that will evaluate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) in severe cases of COVID-19. A total of 200 adults admitted to hospital with moderately severe COVID-19 pneumonia will be recruited. The trial could start as early as next week at a hospital in Region Blekinge, Sweden. Fri, 15 May 2020 11:54:37 +0200 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-coordinates-large-international-coronavirus-project EU-financed Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) has boosted funding for research on diagnostics, medicines and vaccines against the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Ali Mirazimi, researcher at Karolinska Institutet and Sweden’s National Veterinary Institute (SVA), coordinates one of eight projects provisionally selected among 144 applicants. Thu, 14 May 2020 11:48:35 +0200 https://news.ki.se/newly-discovered-mechanism-can-explain-increased-risk-of-dementia Millions of people around the world use acid suppressants called proton pump inhibitors for conditions like heartburn, gastritis and stomach ulcers. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden now report how the long-term use of these drugs could increase the risk of developing dementia. Their results are published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Fri, 08 May 2020 06:30:07 +0200 https://news.ki.se/overlooked-protein-could-play-important-part-in-pneumonia-and-covid-19-researchers-say In severe cases of COVID-19, a massive release of the endogenous protein HMGB1 in the lungs may contribute to pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage, according to a recent review article published in the journal Molecular Medicine. The researchers conclude that the inflammation could hypothetically be treated with an HMGB1 inhibitor. Thu, 07 May 2020 17:36:43 +0200 https://news.ki.se/soo-aleman-national-coordinator-of-who-study-a-global-study-will-give-us-better-answers Sweden can contribute solid data to Solidarity, a global study run by the WHO to test the efficacy and safety of drugs considered for use in the treatment of COVID-19, says Soo Aleman, docent and consultant, and coordinator of the Swedish arm of the study. Mon, 04 May 2020 07:50:51 +0200 https://news.ki.se/certain-diabetes-drugs-may-protect-against-serious-kidney-problems Use of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to treat type 2 diabetes may help to lower the risk of serious kidney problems, according to a Scandinavian study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet. The findings, now published in the journal The BMJ, provide support for the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in a broad range of patients with type 2 diabetes, according to the researchers. Thu, 30 Apr 2020 09:19:37 +0200 https://news.ki.se/drug-reduces-the-risk-of-child-sexual-abuse A drug that lowers levels of the male hormone testosterone in the body reduces the risk of men with pedophilic disorder sexually abusing children, a study from Karolinska Institutet published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry shows. Wed, 29 Apr 2020 17:00:06 +0200 https://news.ki.se/professor-emeritus-sten-orrenius-has-died Sten Orrenius, Professor Emeritus at Karolinska Institutet, died on April 27, 2020. Dr. Orrenius was an internationally renowned and highly respected toxicologist because of his groundbreaking research in drug metabolism, the role of disruption of calcium homeostasis in cellular toxicity and mechanisms of programmed cell death (apoptosis). Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:15:03 +0200 https://news.ki.se/in-memory-of-the-late-professor-emeritus-folke-sjoqvist We have lost our former director, colleague and friend, Professor emeritus Folke Sjöqvist, who passed away peacefully on 30 March at the age of 86 after a protracted illness. He is sorely missed by his wife Margareta and four children and their families, as well as friends and colleagues in Sweden and around the world. Tue, 07 Apr 2020 10:37:20 +0200 https://news.ki.se/trial-drug-may-block-early-stages-of-covid-19-study-in-human-cells-shows A drug already tested against lung disease could potentially inhibit COVID-19 by reducing the coronavirus load that enters the lungs and other organs. That is according to a study in human cell cultures and organoids by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada, published in the journal Cell. Thu, 02 Apr 2020 19:52:20 +0200 https://news.ki.se/low-dose-aspirin-linked-to-reduced-liver-cancer-risk Among adults with chronic viral hepatitis at high risk of liver cancer, those who took low-dose aspirin long-term were less likely to develop liver cancer or to die from liver-related causes. The findings come from a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and conducted by a team led by investigators at Karolinska Institutet and Örebro University Hospital in Sweden and Massachusetts General Hospital in the U.S. Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:00:06 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researcher-part-of-consortium-receiving-sek7m-for-covid-19-therapy-research Professor Ali Mirazimi at Karolinska Institutet is part of a consortium that has received 1 million Canadian dollars (almost 7 million kronor) to try to develop a drug candidate against COVID-19. Mirazimi will assist with in vitro and in vivo infection models for SARS-CoV-2. The project is a collaboration with Canadian and Chinese researchers. Wed, 11 Mar 2020 13:39:14 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-cholesterol-lowering-guidelines-would-increase-cost-of-treatment The financial burden on health systems would drastically increase if new European expert guidelines for cholesterol-lowering treatment were implemented, according to a new simulation study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, published in the European Heart Journal. The findings highlight an urgent need for cost-effectiveness analysis given the current cost of the proposed treatment for very high-risk patients, the researchers say. Wed, 19 Feb 2020 06:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-seek-to-develop-vaccine-against-new-corona-virus Researchers worldwide are trying to develop a vaccine and antiviral treatments against the new corona virus spreading in China. At Karolinska Institutet, virus researchers Ali Mirazimi and Matti Sällberg are working to develop a prototype vaccine against the virus. But vaccine development takes time, and it will likely take at least six to nine months before an application for clinical studies can be filed and another two to three years before a vaccine could be ready for the public. Fri, 31 Jan 2020 16:29:50 +0100 https://news.ki.se/body-on-chip-technology-could-accelerate-drug-testing A multiple organ-on-chip platform developed by researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Karolinska Institutet and Harvard University could drastically accelerate drug testing. The technology, described today in Nature Biomedical Engineering, provides accurate predictions of drug effects prior to clinical testing. Mon, 27 Jan 2020 12:36:39 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-opportunity-for-cancer-drug-development After years of research on cell surface receptors called Frizzleds, researchers at Karolinska Institutet provide the proof-of-principle that these receptors are druggable by small molecules. The results, which are published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, open for new strategies to treat different types of cancer. Tue, 21 Jan 2020 11:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/cheap-drug-may-alleviate-treatment-resistance-in-leukemia A common and inexpensive drug may be used to counteract treatment resistance in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most common forms of blood cancer. This is the conclusion of a study in mice and human blood cells performed at Karolinska Institutet and SciLifeLab and published in the medical journal EMBO Molecular Medicine. The researchers will now launch a clinical study to test the new combination treatment in patients. Fri, 17 Jan 2020 12:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/lithium-can-reverse-radiation-damage-after-brain-tumour-treatment Children who have received radiotherapy for a brain tumour can develop cognitive problems later in life. In their studies on mice, researchers at Karolinska Institutet have now shown that the drug lithium can help to reverse the damage caused long after it has occurred. The study is published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry and the researchers are now planning to test the treatment in clinical trials. Thu, 14 Nov 2019 06:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/potential-drug-targets-for-glioblastoma-identified Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified 10 tumour-specific potential drug targets for the brain tumour glioblastoma. The results are presented in the scientific journal Cell Reports. Tue, 05 Nov 2019 17:13:48 +0100 https://news.ki.se/study-rejects-link-between-common-ibd-drug-and-serious-infections-in-children In a new register-based study, Swedish and Danish researchers show that common drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), so called TNF-α inhibitors, are not linked to increased risk of serious infections in children. Previous studies have shown an increased risk in corresponding adult patients. The results are published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology. Thu, 05 Sep 2019 08:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lower-risk-for-heart-failure-with-new-type-2-diabetes-drug The new type of drugs for type 2 diabetes, the so-called SGLT2 inhibitors, are associated with a reduced risk of heart failure and death as well as of major cardiovascular events, a major Scandinavian registry study led from Karolinska Institutet reports in The BMJ. Thu, 29 Aug 2019 13:27:54 +0200 https://news.ki.se/il-1-inhibitors-may-reduce-radiation-induced-vascular-damage Radiation therapy against cancer can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease much later in life, as the radiation causes chronic inflammation of the exposed blood vessels. In a new study published in the European Heart Journal, researchers from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have shown that these inflammations can be treated with IL-1 inhibitors. Thu, 23 May 2019 14:42:04 +0200 https://news.ki.se/painkillers-during-pregnancy-unlikely-to-cause-asthma Mon, 18 Mar 2019 08:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-diabetes-drug-may-increase-the-risk-of-serious-adverse-events Thu, 15 Nov 2018 06:00:01 +0100 https://news.ki.se/new-drug-candidate-makes-cancer-cells-more-sensitive-to-radiotherapy Tue, 25 Sep 2018 11:10:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/use-of-muscle-relaxant-during-general-anaesthesia-increases-risk-of-pulmonary-complications Tue, 18 Sep 2018 09:32:12 +0200 https://news.ki.se/no-link-found-between-oral-antifungal-drug-and-stillbirth Wed, 13 Jun 2018 09:56:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/anti-inflammatory-strategy-stops-aggressive-childhood-cancer Mon, 28 May 2018 16:09:34 +0200 https://news.ki.se/aggressive-breast-cancer-has-resistant-tumour-cells-already-prior-to-chemotherapy Thu, 19 Apr 2018 18:01:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/pcsk9-inhibitors-have-unexpected-anti-inflammatory-effects Thu, 05 Apr 2018 09:08:21 +0200 https://news.ki.se/fluoroquinolones-linked-to-increased-risk-of-aortic-disease Thu, 08 Mar 2018 09:46:56 +0100 https://news.ki.se/lithium-treatment-for-bipolar-disorder-linked-to-lowest-risk-of-rehospitalisation Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/possible-new-principle-for-cancer-therapy A study published in Science Translational Medicine shows that small molecules that specifically inhibit an important selenium-containing enzyme may be useful in combating cancer. When researchers at Karolinska Institutet treated cancer in mice using these molecules, they observed rapid tumoricidal effects. Researchers now hope that this new principle for cancer treatment will eventually be developed for use in humans. Thu, 15 Feb 2018 09:09:50 +0100 https://news.ki.se/genetic-analysis-can-improve-depression-therapy The failure of drugs such as SSRIs, used to treat depression, can be a result of genetic variations in patients. Variations within the gene that encodes the CYP2C19 enzyme results in extreme differences in the levels of escitalopram achieved in patients, according to a new study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Prescribing the dose of escitalopram based on a patient’s specific genetic constitution would greatly improve therapeutic outcomes. Fri, 12 Jan 2018 08:11:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/alcohol-abuse-drug-antabuse-kills-cancer-cells Thu, 07 Dec 2017 12:08:29 +0100 https://news.ki.se/older-people-with-bowel-disease-receive-older-medicines Mon, 13 Nov 2017 13:09:10 +0100 https://news.ki.se/breast-cancer-recurrence-risk-lingers-longer-than-expected Thu, 09 Nov 2017 06:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/blood-thinning-drugs-linked-to-decreased-dementia-risk-in-patients-with-atrial-fibrillation Wed, 25 Oct 2017 08:45:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/anti-inflammatory-drugs-can-inhibit-muscle-growth Mon, 28 Aug 2017 16:27:10 +0200 https://news.ki.se/receptor-dynamics-provide-new-potential-for-pharmaceutical-developments The dynamics among certain so-called G protein-coupled receptors, of vital importance for the function of cells in the body, are different than previously believed. This has been reported by researchers from Karolinska Institutet in the journal Nature Communications. As these types of receptors are the target for many different medicines, the new finding opens the doors to completely new opportunities within pharmacology and pharmaceutical development. Wed, 09 Aug 2017 13:14:13 +0200 https://news.ki.se/lithium-protects-against-suicide Fri, 09 Jun 2017 15:45:23 +0200 https://news.ki.se/fewer-relapses-in-schizophrenia-with-long-acting-injections Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:33:47 +0200 https://news.ki.se/making-biological-drugs-with-spider-silk-protein Wed, 24 May 2017 13:13:37 +0200 https://news.ki.se/placebo-effective-despite-intellectual-disability Tue, 16 May 2017 14:51:52 +0200 https://news.ki.se/corticosteroid-treatment-increases-survival-of-preterm-infants-within-hours Mon, 15 May 2017 18:00:00 +0200 https://news.ki.se/impotence-medicine-associated-with-reduced-long-term-risk-of-death-after-heart-attack Fri, 10 Mar 2017 09:26:28 +0100 https://news.ki.se/safe-to-take-influenza-drugs-during-pregnancy Wed, 01 Mar 2017 08:00:00 +0100 https://news.ki.se/ki-researchers-to-share-100-million-sek-for-industrial-research Wed, 08 Feb 2017 15:24:51 +0100 https://news.ki.se/vital-comprehensive-perspective-on-antibiotic-resistance Global figures betray a worrying situation. At the same time, it appears the world has woken up. Our PopSci magazine, Medicinsk Vetenskap, has taken the temperature of the fight against antibiotic resistance. Fri, 04 Nov 2016 14:00:42 +0100 https://news.ki.se/one-step-closer-to-a-new-drug-for-alcohol-dependence Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:28:30 +0200 https://news.ki.se/unique-screening-method-simplifies-identification-of-novel-drugs Tue, 05 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0200