Oral cancer research group
Research group information
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Research group leader
- ProfessorTuula Salo
Research group description
Oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is a very aggressive cancer with poor survival (50%). Our research focuses on identification of prognostic markers for improved diagnostics and to understand the role of the tumor microenvironment in cancer development. In addition, we have developed a human uterus leiomyoma tissue-based Myoma discs and Myogel extracellular matrix, which are providing a more accurate environment for human cancer cell testing. Based on Myogel we are developing a reliable ex vivo method enabling “personalized medicine “treatment approach.
Our team
Where are we headed
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Identify novel prognostic markers for OTSCC diagnostics
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Resolve molecular mechanisms in the oral cancer tumor microenvironment for future diagnostics and therapeutics
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Develop the Myogel for in vitro cancer cell analyses
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Develop an ex vivo personalized medicine method for OTSCC
Our main collaborators
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Professor Ricardo Coletta, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas, Brazil
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Professor Antti Mäkitie and professor Peeter Karihtala University of Helsinki
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Docent Petri Koivunen, Oulu University Hospital
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Professor Ilmo Leivo and professor Reidar Grenman, University of Turku
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Professor Veli-Matti Kosma and professor Ylermi Soini, University of Eastern Finland
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Professor Marilena Vered, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv University, Israel
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Associate professors Gunbjørg Svineng and Elin Hadler-Olsen, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway
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Professor Sara Zanivan, CRUK Beatson Institute and Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK
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Docent Anniina Färkkilä, University of Helsinki
How to find us
Research Unit of Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu
tuula.salo[at]oulu.fi, Tel. 040 5441560