The role of ferroptosis and chemokine profiles in DLBCL
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Oulu University Hospital, lecture hall 3
Topic of the dissertation
The role of ferroptosis and chemokine profiles in DLBCL
Doctoral candidate
Licentiate of Medicine Pyry Kotkaranta
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Translational Medicine
Subject of study
Medicine
Opponent
Docent Ulla Wartiovaara-Kautto, University of Helsinki
Custos
Professor emeritus Taina Turpeenniemi-Hujanen, University of Oulu
Role of ferroptosis in the chemotherapeutic effects of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is a common and aggressive malignancy. It is often curable with chemotherapy, but the treatments are highly toxic and cause numerous adverse effects. More precise mapping of the pathways affected by chemotherapeutic agents enables the development of targeted therapies. In particular, testicular diffuse large B-cell lymphoma tends to spread to the central nervous system, which significantly worsens the prognosis.
This doctoral thesis investigated the role of ferroptosis in the mechanisms of action of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for lymphoma. We developed a model that enabled the detection of ferroptotic cell death in cell culture conditions using an artificial intelligence approach. According to the results, among the common chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and cyclophosphamide drive cancer cells into ferroptosis. The study also examined the role of chemokines in the central nervous system tropism of this lymphoma. The findings showed that chemokine levels in cancer cells vary depending on tumor localization, but no conclusive evidence could be obtained for their role in central nervous system dissemination.
The model developed in this work can be used to investigate the action profiles of both novel and existing drugs. Furthermore, the study provided new insights into the mechanisms of action of two widely used cytotoxic agents.
This doctoral thesis investigated the role of ferroptosis in the mechanisms of action of commonly used chemotherapeutic agents for lymphoma. We developed a model that enabled the detection of ferroptotic cell death in cell culture conditions using an artificial intelligence approach. According to the results, among the common chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and cyclophosphamide drive cancer cells into ferroptosis. The study also examined the role of chemokines in the central nervous system tropism of this lymphoma. The findings showed that chemokine levels in cancer cells vary depending on tumor localization, but no conclusive evidence could be obtained for their role in central nervous system dissemination.
The model developed in this work can be used to investigate the action profiles of both novel and existing drugs. Furthermore, the study provided new insights into the mechanisms of action of two widely used cytotoxic agents.
Last updated: 15.8.2025