Professor Bjørn Tore Gjertsen’s research interest has its background in the study of intracellular signal transduction by protein phosphorylation in regulation of cell death (apoptosis). As a medical student these early works includes the first proof-of-principle concept of apoptosis-resistance mechanism in myeloid leukemia through point mutation in protein kinase A (J Biol Chem 1993). With this background, studies of protein phosphorylation in chemotherapy induced apoptosis in vitro and in patients have elucidated novel mechanisms of cell death regulation. The tumor suppressor protein p53 is heavily modified and tightly regulated, and the impact of this key protein was described by analysis of p53 protein isoforms modulation and p53 directed gene expression in patients during high dose chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (Oncogene 2012). Development of single cell phosphoprotein analysis in patient AML cells for phenotype analysis of mutations in signalling pathways, and proposed the concept of phosphoprotein signalling response for prognostic information in cancer and as biomarkers in clinical trials (Cell 2004, Blood 2007). In collaboration with Professor Emmet McCormack, state-of-the-art animal models and advanced molecular imaging of acute myelogen leukemia has been established for development of p53- and signalling-targeted therapy (2012, Cancer Res 2013, Blood 2013). Together this has formed a therapy and biomarker program focusing on development of signalling and p53 targeted therapy.

The research has focused on the aggressive blood cancer acute myeloid leukemia (AML), affecting approximately 150 new cases in Norway per year. Because of limited therapeutic advances last decades and currently three year survival below 20% in patients above 65 years of age, Gjertsen has established several clinical trials for Norwegain patients. Gjertsen has been national coordinator several academic HOVON/SAKK clinical trials in AML. Clinical trials in collaboration with Novartis and Boehringer-Ingelheim is currently exploring single cell signalling analysis in trials with novel signal transduction inhibitors.

CCBIO Centre of Excellence form an ideal platform for the upcoming 2014-15 early phase clinical trial of the Axl kinase inhibitor BGB324 in AML. BGB324 is a per oral medicine that will be tested for clinical benefit in acute leukemia. The use of single cell signalling biomarkers in response prediction will be examined. Single cell signalling analysis of selected solid tumors, as well as in normal blood cells, will be examined for disease stratification and therapy response prediction.