Oncology – Neoplasms

The Department of AnOpIVA at Sundsvall sjukhus is conducting a series of studies that explore new systemic and targeted therapies for a range of cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, melanoma, and glioblastoma. Trials aim to enhance survival, reduce recurrence, and assess combination regimens.

  • Advanced non‑small cell lung cancer with HER2 mutation
  • Early triple‑negative breast cancer
  • Cutaneous malignant melanoma (stage IIb‑c, III, IV)
  • Glioblastoma with MGMT promoter methylation
  • Colorectal cancer with PIK3CA alterations
  • Metastatic prostate cancer

Currently, 12 oncology trials involve 15 investigators, focusing on immunotherapy, antibody‑drug conjugates, and biomarker‑driven treatment strategies.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Researchers are evaluating novel antithrombotic, lipid‑lowering, and heart‑failure therapies to prevent cardiovascular events and improve outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, and hypertension.

  • Acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI/STEMI)
  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
  • Dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk reduction
  • Hypertension in type 2 diabetes
  • Venous thromboembolism in cancer patients

The site supports 6 cardiovascular trials, leveraging the expertise of 8 investigators to test agents such as evolocumab, spironolactone, and combined empagliflozin‑vicadrostat therapy.

Infectious Diseases and Antibiotic Stewardship

Studies focus on optimizing treatment for bacterial infections, including multidrug‑resistant urinary tract infections, Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, and HPV‑related cervical disease, while assessing alternative antibiotics and vaccine‑screening strategies.

  • Febrile urinary tract infection caused by ESBL‑producing Enterobacterales
  • Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia
  • HPV infection and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
  • Urinary tract infection with extended‑spectrum beta‑lactamase pathogens

Four infection‑focused trials engage 5 investigators, aiming to identify safe oral step‑down regimens and evaluate the impact of organized HPV vaccination and screening.

Neurology and Stroke Research

The unit is testing acute interventions for cerebrovascular events, including the use of tranexamic acid in intracerebral hemorrhage, thrombolytics for retinal artery occlusion, and early imatinib therapy for ischemic stroke.

  • Acute ischemic stroke
  • Hyperacute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage
  • Central retinal artery occlusion

Three neurology trials involve 4 investigators, seeking to reduce early mortality and improve functional recovery after stroke.

Urogenital and Reproductive Health

Research examines therapies for female and male reproductive conditions, ranging from hydrocele and spermatocele management to labor induction protocols and hormone‑related cancers.

  • Hydrocele and spermatocele sclerotherapy
  • Outpatient induction of labour
  • Non‑metastatic HER2‑positive breast cancer (female reproductive relevance)
  • Male urogenital cancers (testicular, prostate)

Five trials with 6 investigators explore minimally invasive procedures and outpatient approaches to improve patient comfort and outcomes.

Musculoskeletal and Autoimmune Disorders

Ongoing investigations assess disease‑modifying treatments for rheumatoid arthritis and the impact of analgesic strategies on postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pain management.

  • Early rheumatoid arthritis
  • Post‑operative nausea and vomiting

Two musculoskeletal studies involve 3 investigators, comparing oral versus subcutaneous methotrexate and evaluating prophylactic anti‑emetic regimens.

Psychiatry, Addiction, and Mental Health

Trials aim to improve treatment adherence and reduce substance use in opioid use disorder, while also exploring adjunctive therapies for mental health conditions.

  • Opioid Use Disorder with buprenorphine maintenance
  • Mental health outcomes in chronic disease populations

One psychiatric trial, led by 2 investigators, tests the orexin receptor antagonist daridorexant as an adjunct to opioid maintenance therapy.