Institute for Cancer Research has since its foundation in 1954 played a central role within the field of cancer research both in Norway and internationally. The Institute has seven research departments and more than 380 employees. About 70% of the employees and projects are externally funded. Read more
See introductory video with welcome to the ICR
All medicine and health research in Norway has been evaluated by Norges forskningsråd in 2023-24 (aggregated report published April 8, 2025, link below). At the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR), Oslo University Hospital and Det medisinske fakultet UiO, our six research departments in ICR with >370 employees in 26 research groups, 29 project groups and seven core facility units were evaluated separately as six units (Cancer Genetics, Cancer Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, Molecular Oncology, Radiation Biology, Tumor Biology). As Head of the ICR, I am very proud to say that our large and professional research organisation was evaluated as internationally excellent to outstanding on research quality, very strong to outstanding on organisation and with considerable to extensive societal impact!
The Institute for Cancer Research at Oslo University Hospital's Annual Report for 2024 is now available online and celebrates the institute's 70th Anniversary (founded in 1954). Alongside key figures and display of our outstanding research, we report on recruitment, training and career development, translation and innovation, dissemination, public outreach, and collaboration in Norway and abroad.
ICR groups are key partners in over 20 clinical trials and leaders in more than 120 translation and innovation projects, many of which involve collaborative efforts with industry partners. Our 370 employees in six research departments, 26 research groups, 29 project groups, and seven core facility units represent a vibrant environment and a fully-fledged cancer research organisation. Our staff's engagement in scientific and public discourse through talks, meetings, events, and media appearances underscores our proactive approach to knowledge dissemination and societal impact.
Read more in the Annual report here: Single page format - Double page format
Mitochondria are essential for cellular energy production and homeostasis, and their selective degradation through mitophagy is critical for maintaining cell function. However, the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain incompletely understood.
Now, Laura Trachsel-Moncho and co-workers in Anne Simonsen’s group identify the endosomal protein SNX10 as a modulator of piecemeal mitophagy, a process involving the selective degradation of mitochondrial components. They show that SNX10 localizes to early endosomes in normal conditions but associates with mitochondria-containing endosomal structures under hypoxia-mimicking stress. Loss of SNX10 leads to increased turnover of specific mitochondrial proteins, reduced mitochondrial respiration, and elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, zebrafish larvae lacking Snx10 exhibit reduced COX-IV levels and increased oxidative stress and cell death, demonstrating the physiological relevance of Snx10 in mitochondrial homeostasis.
These findings uncover an unexpected role for SNX10 in mitochondrial quality control and highlight its importance in cellular adaptation to metabolic stress.
Mev Dominquez-Valentin from the Department of Tumor Biology at the Institute for Cancer Research is senior author on a study recently published in the prestigious journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, entitled: "Characterization of Screening Strategies for Lynch Syndrome in Latin America.” The study involves the collaborations of more than 50 investigators from 24 representative genetic cancer registries/center of 8 countries from Latin America, highlighting the significant insights we've gained into Lynch Syndrome (LS) screening methods across the region. The results emphasize challenges in hereditary cancer syndrome screening in Latin America and the need for enhanced strategies. Other OUS researchers involved in the study are Eivind Hovig, Pål Møller and Vessela Kristensen.
The European doctoral network Mac4Me (Macrophage Targets for Metastatic Treatment) is a 48-month project that addresses both technical and social challenges in cancer metastasis, focusing on three tumour types that show poor response to current immunotherapies: neuroblastoma, breast, and prostate cancer. Mac4Me is a Horizon Europe MSCA (Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions) Doctoral Network. The network will train 18 Doctoral Candidates to study the tumour microenvironment at metastatic sites. The project is led by a consortium of 14 partners, that includes Oslo University Hospital.
Tero Aittokallio, leader of the Computational Systems Medicine research group at the Institute for Cancer Research, is one of the supervisors, who were selected for their exceptional academic qualifications. The doctoral researcher at OUS will apply multi-modal AI algorithms to define new targets for improved immunotherapy.
