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Rare metabolic liver diseases, coagulation and hepatocellular carcinoma – Stål and Wahlin research group

Our group has a focus on metabolic and inflammatory liver diseases, and liver cancer. We perform clinical and translational studies on hereditary hemochromatosis, porphyric liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Part of the:

Our research

By using data from well characterized clinical patient cohorts, we can combine outcome data with findings from tissue analyses. We perform systematic biobanking of liver tissue, DNA and plasma, and have unique possibilities to study long-term prognosis and pathogenetic mechanisms of liver diseases. We also perform investigator-initiated prospective clinical trials on porphyria, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hemostasis in cirrhosis.

We have a large network of partners in both basic and clinical research departments, and we have access to advanced techniques for translational studies. Our prospective studies aim to find diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of liver disease and liver cancer development, and to evaluate new treatments. Ultimately, we aspire to improve care for patients with liver disease.

Collaborations

  1. national study group (BIGMAP study and PBC in Sweden)
  2. at the Center for Infectious Medicine, and at MedH, Endocrinology Unit (The MacinNASH study)
  3. at KI Danderyds hospital and at the Coagulation Unit (Hemostasis in liver cirrhosis - HELICS).
  4. , Dept of Laboratory Medicine, (Characterization of circulating neo-antigens recognized by PD-1+ lymphocytes in hepatocellular carcinoma)
  5. , Unit of Pathology, and prof. Hugh Salter, Anocca AB, (Micro-RNA pattern in liver tissue as a prognostic marker in HCC)
  6. at Dept. of Laboratory medicine (Dynamic profiling of vesicle-borne RNA in HCC).
  7. (Protein plasma biomarkers in HCC)
  8. at the radiology department (TREND study).
  9. at Porphyria Centre Sweden, Centre for Inherited Metabolic Diseases (CMMS) (Cancer and comorbidity in acute hepatic porphyria)
  10. at Harran University Hospital, Turkey and multinational collaborators (Clinical studies om autoimmune liver diseases)

Projects

1. Biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) 

The aim of the project is to develop panels of serum proteins, micro-RNAs or vesicle-borne mRNAs as biomarkers for early diagnosis or prognostication of HCC.
Collaborations: Jochen Schwenk (SciLifeLab in Solna), Hugh Salter (Anocca AB), Mikael Björnstedt (Dept of Pathology), Daniel Hagey (Dept of Laboratory Medicine).
Funding: Cancerfonden, CIMED and Region Stockholm

2. Role of liver macrophage populations in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - NASH (MacinNASH)

The aim of the project is to define a subpopulation of macrophages in NASH with a gene expression profile that initiates fibrosis (scarring of the liver).
Collaborations: Myriam Aouadi (Center for Infectious Medicine).
Funding: European Research Council.

3. Biochemical, clinical, and genetic markers for prognostication in liver cirrhosis (BIGMAP)

The aim of the project is to create a national biobank for future biomarker evaluations for prognostication of liver-related events.
Collaborations: The SweHep research network. The biobank is linked to the Swedish Register for Liver Cirrhosis.
Funding: Swedish Cancer Society.

4. Hemostasis in liver cirrhosis (HELICS)

The aim of the project is to evaluate new methods for hemostasis assessment in patients with liver cirrhosis or HCC.
Collaborations: Maria Magnusson (Coagulation Unit) and Charlotte Gran (Dept of Molecular Medicine and Surgery) KI.
Funding: Region Stockholm.

5. Characterization of circulating neo-antigens recognized by PD-1+ lymphocytes in HCC (CHANNEL)

The aim of the project is to assess if neoantigens in circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) can be recognized by PD-1+ lymphocytes.
Collaborations: Anna Pasetto (Dept. of Laboratory Medicine).
Funding: Swedish Cancer Society.

6. Hepatopathy, cancer and comorbidity in acute hepatic porphyria

The aim of the project is to characterize risks and mechanisms of long-term complications.
Collaborations: Eliane Sardh, CMMS.
Funding: Region Stockholm, CIMED & Alnylam

7. Clinical research on autoimmune liver diseases

Collaborations: Cumali Efe and multinational network of hepatologists, The SweHep research network.
Funding: Bent Ihre Foundation

Publications


  1. Holmer M, Lindqvist C, Petersson S, Moshtaghi-Svensson J, Tillander V, Brismar TB, Hagström H, Stål P. JHep Reports 2021 Feb 17;3(3):100256. doi: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2021.100256. PMID: 33898960.
     

  2. Hagström H, Ndegwa N, Ekstedt M, Posserud I, Rorsman F, Nyhlin N, Klintman D, Werner M, Marschall H-U, Jalmeus M, Askling J, Stål P. Liver International 2021 41(3):545-553. PMID: 33450138.
     

  3. Lissing M, Nowak G, Adam R, Karam V, Boyd A, Gouya L, Meersseman W, Melum  Ołdakowska-Jedynak U, Reiter FP, Colmenero J, Sanchez R, Herden U, Langendonk J, Ventura P, Isoniemi H, Boillot O, Braun F, Perrodin S, Mowlem E, Wahlin S; European Liver and Intestine Transplant Association. Liver Transpl. 2021 Apr;27(4):491-501. PMID: 33259654
     

  4. Efe C, Torgutalp M, Henriksson I, Alalkim F, Lytvyak E, Trivedi H, Eren F, Fischer J, Chayanupatkul M, Coppo C, Purnak T, Muratori L, Werner M, Muratori P, Rorsman F, Onnerhag K, Nilsson E, Heurgué-Berlot A, Demir N, Semela D, Kıyıcı M, Schiano TD, Montano-Loza AJ, Berg T, Ozaslan E, Yoshida EM, Bonder A, Marschall HU, Beretta-Piccoli BT, Wahlin S. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Apr;36(4):936-942. PMID: 32790935.
     

  5. Efe C, Dhanasekaran R, Lammert C, Ebik B, Higuera-de la Tijera F, Aloman C, Rıza Calışkan A, Peralta M, Gerussi A, Massoumi H, Catana AM, Torgutalp M, Purnak T, Rigamonti C, Gomez Aldana AJ, Khakoo N, Kacmaz H, Nazal L, Frager S, Demir N, Irak K, Ellik ZM, Balaban Y, Atay K, Eren F, Cristoferi L, Batıbay E, Urzua Á, Snijders R, Kıyıcı M, Akyıldız M, Ekin N, Carr RM, Harputluoğlu M, Hatemi I, Mendizabal M, Silva M, Idilman R, Silveira M, Drenth JPH, Assis DN, Björnsson E, Boyer JL, Invernizzi P, Levy C, Schiano TD, Ridruejo E, Wahlin S. Hepatology. 2021 Jun;73(6):2099-2109. doi: 10.1002/hep.31797. Erratum in: Hepatology. 2021 Dec 8; PMID: 33713486
     
  6. Lindqvist C, Nordstedt P, Nowak G, Slinde F, Majeed A, Bottai M, Wahlin S. Nutrition. 2020 Nov-Dec;79-80:110817. PMID: 32653820.
     

  7. Karalli A, Teiler J, Haji M, Seth E, Brismar TB, Wahlin S, Axelsson R, Stål P. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul;54(7):905-912. PMID: 31287338
     

  8. Bengtsson B, Stål P, Wahlin S, Björkström NK, Hagström H. Liver Int. 2019 Jun;39(6):1098-1108. PMID: 30829446
     

  9. Efe C, Taşçilar K, Henriksson I, Lytvyak E, Alalkim F, Trivedi H, Eren F, Eliasson J, Beretta-Piccoli BT, Fischer J, Calişkan AR, Chayanupatkul M, Coppo C, Ytting H, Purnak T, Muratori L, Werner M, Muratori P, Rorsman F, Önnerhag K, Günşar F, Nilsson E, Heurgué-Berlot A, Güzelbulut F, Demir N, Gönen C, Semela D, Aladağ M, Kiyici M, Schiano TD, Montano-Loza AJ, Berg T, Ozaslan E, Yoshida EM, Bonder A, Marschall HU, Wahlin S. . Am J Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul;114(7):1101-1108. PMID: 31241547.
     

  10. Sternby Eilard M, Hagström H, Mortensen KE, Wilsgaard T, Vagnildhaug OM, Dajani O, Stål P, Rizell M. Liver Int. 2018;38:885-894. PMID: 28941130

Funding

  • The Swedish Cancer Society
  • Region Stockholm
  • Center for Innovative Medicine (CIMED)
  • Bent Ihre Foundation
  • Alnylam

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group

Keywords:
Cancer and Oncology Gastroenterology and Hepatology Surgery
Content reviewer:
Per Stål
Karin Vikström
01-04-2025