Public defence: Anand Khadse - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge

Anand Khadse will defend his PhD degree in ecology. His dissertation is about uncovering biologically relevant subgroups in lung cancer using multi-omics for improved prognosis and treatment.

11 Jun

Practical information

Date: 11 June 2025
10.00 - 15.30
Bø, Rom 4-311A og Zoom
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Link to digital participation (Zoom)

Meeting ID: 689 0565 9818
Passord: 490194

Programme

10.00 Trial lecture: Analyses of putative biomarkers in liquid biopsies from cancer patients to drive personalization of treatment and beyond

11.30 Public defence: Multi-omics approach to identify biologically relevant subgroups for prognostic and predictive biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer

The public defence will be hosted by Head of Department Jørn Henrik Sønstebø.

Evaluation committee

First opponent: Professor Pål Sætrom, NTNU
Second opponent: Senior Research Specialist, PhD, Kristina Viktorsson, Karolinska institutet
Administrator: Associate Professor Mona Sæbø Støren, University of South-Eastern Norway

Supervisors

Principal supervisor: Professor emerita Elin H. Kure, University of South-Eastern Norway
Co-supervisor: Professor Åslaug Helland, Radiumhospitalet, Oslo University Hospital
Co-supervisor: Professor Ole Christian Lingjærde, University of Oslo

Any questions?

Hanna Elsa Wistedt
35 95 29 46

Anand Khadse is defending his dissertation for the degree of philosophiae doctor (PhD) at the University of South-Eastern Norway.

The doctoral work has been carried out at the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences and Maritime Sciences at campus Bø. Anand Khadse

You are invited to follow the trial lecture and the public defence.

Link to full dissertation

Summary

This thesis presents key molecular findings in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that could pave the way for more personalized and effective treatment approaches. The research identified genetic and molecular markers that can help predict patient outcomes and guide personalized therapies for the two major subtypes of NSCLC - lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC).

One of the most important findings is a genetic alteration called loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in the KRAS gene region. This change was linked to improved survival in patients with early-stage LUAD, suggesting that KRAS LOH could serve as a valuable prognostic marker to guide treatment decisions. In LUSC, the BIRC5 gene was found to be significantly more active in patients with TP53 mutations. Its high expression, points to BIRC5 as a promising target for future therapies in this subgroup.

We also investigated the role of microRNAs, small molecules that help regulate genes, and identified specific expression patterns in over 900 lung cancer patients. These microRNA signatures may help predict disease progression and offer an additional tool for clinicians to personalize care.

Lung cancer remains one of the most common and deadliest cancers globally. NSCLC accounts for around 85% of all lung cancer cases. Despite improvements in treatment, survival rates remain low, particularly when the disease is detected at a late stage. This research contributes to a better understanding of the molecular landscape of NSCLC and underscores the potential of precision medicine to improve outcomes. Focusing on these genetic and molecular features of each patient’s tumor, may open new avenues for better risk assessment, and more effective personalized therapies, leading to better outcomes for those affected by lung cancer.