Dr. Gundersen studies the molecular mechanisms of diseases, particularly in relation to genetics and healthcare systems. He explores how specific genes contribute to conditions like osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women, providing insights that could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies. Additionally, he develops new tools for researchers to analyze genetic data more efficiently, such as oncoEnrichR for cancer gene analysis and hGSuite HyperBrowser for large datasets. His work also addresses practical applications in healthcare, like improving patient recovery options in intensive care settings through the use of diaries.
Key findings
In a study of postmenopausal women, Dr. Gundersen identified 50 genes linked to both osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, which could inform new treatment approaches.
The wound support network developed in his 2016 study achieved a 46.7% wound healing success rate after 12 weeks, compared to 25% in the control group.
He expanded the JASPAR database by adding over 700 new transcription factor binding profiles, significantly enhancing the understanding of gene regulation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Gundersen study osteoporosis?
Yes, he investigates the genetic factors that link osteoporosis to cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.
What tools has Dr. Gundersen developed for researchers?
He developed tools like oncoEnrichR for analyzing cancer-related genes and hGSuite HyperBrowser for managing large genomic datasets.
Is Dr. Gundersen's research relevant to critical care patients?
Yes, he has studied the benefits of diary writing for ICU patients, which can aid in their recovery process.
What diseases does Dr. Gundersen focus on in his research?
He focuses primarily on conditions related to bone health, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Publications in plain English
JASPAR 2026: expansion of transcription factor binding profiles and integration of deep learning models.
2026
Nucleic acids research
Ovek Baydar D, Rauluseviciute I, Aronsen DR, Blanc-Mathieu R, Bonthuis I +29 more
Plain English This study expanded a database called JASPAR that contains information on how proteins called transcription factors bind to DNA. They added over 700 new binding profiles and improved existing ones, which makes it easier to understand how these factors regulate genes. This is important because it enhances our ability to study gene regulation and could lead to new insights in genetic research and medicine.
Who this helps: This helps researchers, especially those studying genetics and molecular biology.
Plain English Researchers studied the difficulties surrounding reference genomes, which are essential for genetic research but often cause confusion due to inconsistent names and differences that are not well-documented. They proposed a new standard called the refget Sequence Collections (seqcol), which helps make it easier to identify and compare these genomes reliably. In their analysis of 60 human and 36 mouse genomes, they found considerable inconsistencies, highlighting the need for a clearer system to improve the usability of genomic data.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and geneticists working with genomic data.
JASPAR 2024: 20th anniversary of the open-access database of transcription factor binding profiles.
2024
Nucleic acids research
Rauluseviciute I, Riudavets-Puig R, Blanc-Mathieu R, Castro-Mondragon JA, Ferenc K +15 more
Plain English Researchers updated JASPAR, a free database that collects detailed information about how certain proteins called transcription factors attach to DNA. In this latest update, they added 329 new DNA profiles, bringing the total number of profiles in the database up by 20%. This matters because it improves the accuracy of predictions related to gene regulation, which can help scientists understand genetic functions better.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists studying genetics and gene expression.
Critical care nurses' assessment of writing diaries for adult patients in the intensive care unit - A qualitative study.
2024
Australian critical care : official journal of the Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses
Gundersen S, Blikstad-Løkkevik S, Brenna G, Steindal SA, Kvande ME
Plain English This study looked at how critical care nurses decide whether to write diaries for adult patients in intensive care units (ICUs). The nurses found that creating these diaries can help patients remember their experiences and aid in their recovery, but they struggle with choosing who should get a diary and how to write them because patients' conditions can change quickly. Overall, nurses believe that with the right support and recognition, these diaries can be beneficial for patients but require careful consideration and resources to implement.
Who this helps: This benefits patients in intensive care by supporting their recovery and understanding of their experiences.
Identification of Transcripts with Shared Roles in the Pathogenesis of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Cardiovascular Disease.
2024
International journal of molecular sciences
Reppe S, Gundersen S, Sandve GK, Wang Y, Andreassen OA +5 more
Plain English This study looked at the genes in bone samples from postmenopausal women to see if there are links between osteoporosis and heart disease. Researchers found 50 genes that are involved in both conditions, suggesting that these genes play roles in issues like inflammation and bone health. Understanding these connections is important because it could lead to new ways to treat or prevent osteoporosis and heart problems in postmenopausal women.
Who this helps: This helps postmenopausal women at risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.
hGSuite HyperBrowser: A web-based toolkit for hierarchical metadata-informed analysis of genomic tracks.
2023
PloS one
Kalyanasundaram S, Lefol Y, Gundersen S, Rognes T, Alsøe L +4 more
Plain English Researchers developed a new online tool called hGSuite HyperBrowser to help analyze large sets of genetic data more easily. This tool can process and summarize multiple datasets, making it quicker for scientists to find important information about different cell types and genetic factors. The hGSuite allows users to look at various biological characteristics in one place, improving their ability to make sense of complex data efficiently.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working in genetics and genomics.
Comprehensive interrogation of gene lists from genome-scale cancer screens with oncoEnrichR.
2023
International journal of cancer
Nakken S, Gundersen S, Bernal FLM, Polychronopoulos D, Hovig E +1 more
Plain English This research focused on developing a tool called oncoEnrichR to help cancer researchers make sense of long lists of genes that might be linked to cancer. The tool uses a wide range of cancer-specific information to give clear insights about these genes, making it easier and faster for scientists to understand their relevance and prioritize them for further study. OncoEnrichR makes the process more efficient and produces a structured report, which is essential for reliable scientific research.
Who this helps: This benefits cancer researchers and scientists looking to analyze gene data more effectively.
Psychoanalysis and Neuropsychological Explanations.
2022
Psychoanalytic review
Gundersen S
Plain English This research paper explores how psychoanalysis can work together with insights from psychology and neuroscience to better understand the mind. The author outlines six key criteria for this integration and argues that while these fields can complement each other, neuroscience cannot replace psychoanalytic theory. This matters because combining these approaches could lead to a more complete understanding of mental health issues.
Who this helps: Patients seeking more effective treatments for mental health problems.
Recommendations for the FAIRification of genomic track metadata.
2021
F1000Research
Gundersen S, Boddu S, Capella-Gutierrez S, Drabløs F, Fernández JM +5 more
Plain English This study focused on improving how genomic data is organized and accessed. The researchers developed a new system called TrackFind to make genomic data easier to find, access, and use, implementing a standard called FAIRtracks that helps integrate various sources of data. This is important because it allows scientists to more effectively combine and analyze genomic information, ultimately enhancing research and discovery in genetics.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and scientists working with genomic data.
The immuneML ecosystem for machine learning analysis of adaptive immune receptor repertoires.
2021
Nature machine intelligence
Pavlović M, Scheffer L, Motwani K, Kanduri C, Kompova R +37 more
Plain English This study focused on improving the use of machine learning to analyze immune system data, which is important for understanding how our bodies respond to infections and diseases. The researchers created an open-source tool called immuneML that makes it easier to analyze this data consistently and transparently. They showed that immuneML can reproduce previous research findings, predict immune responses, and evaluate the effectiveness of different methods, demonstrating its usefulness in this field.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and doctors working on immune-related diseases and therapies.
Colocalization analyses of genomic elements: approaches, recommendations and challenges.
2019
Bioinformatics (Oxford, England)
Kanduri C, Bock C, Gundersen S, Hovig E, Sandve GK
Plain English This study looked at how scientists analyze groups of genomic regions to better understand biological processes. The authors found that the lack of standard methods can greatly influence the results, which means that careful attention to different analysis techniques is essential for accurate conclusions. This matters because it ensures that researchers can more reliably interpret data about genetic factors in health and disease.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and scientists working in genetics and genomics.
Coloc-stats: a unified web interface to perform colocalization analysis of genomic features.
2018
Nucleic acids research
Simovski B, Kanduri C, Gundersen S, Titov D, Domanska D +10 more
Plain English This study focused on creating a new online tool called Coloc-stats, designed to help researchers analyze how different genomic regions overlap and relate to each other. The tool allows users to conduct colocalization analysis using various methods, making it easier to compare results from different approaches and ensuring more reliable conclusions. This is important because accurate colocalization analysis can lead to better follow-up experiments and a deeper understanding of genomic data.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers studying genomics and related fields.
Norwegian e-Infrastructure for Life Sciences (NeLS).
2018
F1000Research
Tekle KM, Gundersen S, Klepper K, Bongo LA, Raknes IA +17 more
Plain English The Norwegian e-Infrastructure for Life Sciences (NeLS) is a system designed to help researchers in Norway store, share, and analyze scientific data more easily. Since its launch in 2015, NeLS has provided tools like the Galaxy workbench for data analysis and worked with partners to manage sensitive data securely. This system allows researchers to access and collaborate on genetic sequencing data, which is crucial for advancing medical research.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working in the life sciences field.
GSuite HyperBrowser: integrative analysis of dataset collections across the genome and epigenome.
2017
GigaScience
Simovski B, Vodák D, Gundersen S, Domanska D, Azab A +20 more
Plain English This research developed a new software tool called GSuite HyperBrowser to analyze and interpret large sets of data related to the human genome and epigenome. The tool allows researchers to compare data from different cell types and diseases using customizable statistical methods, making it easier to address various biological questions. This is important because it enhances scientists' ability to leverage publicly available genomic data for better understanding of health and disease.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and biologists exploring genetic and epigenetic factors in various conditions.
Improved Clinical Efficacy with Wound Support Network Between Hospital and Home Care Service.
2016
Advances in skin & wound care
Bergersen TK, Storheim E, Gundersen S, Kleven L, Johnson M +3 more
Plain English This study examined a new wound support system connecting home care services and hospitals for patients with chronic wounds. After 12 weeks, the patients using this support network saw a 46.7% success rate in healing their wounds, compared to only 25% in the control group; they also had fewer hospital visits. This approach not only speeds up healing but also cuts costs for the healthcare system.
Who this helps: This helps patients with chronic wounds and their healthcare providers.
c-Myb Binding Sites in Haematopoietic Chromatin Landscapes.
2015
PloS one
Bengtsen M, Klepper K, Gundersen S, Cuervo I, Drabløs F +4 more
Plain English This study looked at how the c-Myb protein interacts with genes in different blood cell types. Researchers found that while c-Myb has a distinct role in each cell type, there is a shared group of genes it targets across all types. They discovered that c-Myb often works with other proteins to manage gene activity, which can be important for proper blood cell development.
Who this helps: This helps patients with blood-related diseases and doctors who treat them.
HiBrowse: multi-purpose statistical analysis of genome-wide chromatin 3D organization.
2014
Bioinformatics (Oxford, England)
Paulsen J, Sandve GK, Gundersen S, Lien TG, Trengereid K +1 more
Plain English This study introduced a new web tool called HiBrowse that helps researchers analyze the three-dimensional structure of chromatin in our DNA. HiBrowse uses advanced statistical methods to interpret complex data from genetic studies and makes it easier for scientists to understand how genes are regulated. This is important because knowing the organization of DNA can lead to better insights in genetics and disease.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists studying genetics and gene regulation.
The Genomic HyperBrowser: an analysis web server for genome-scale data.
2013
Nucleic acids research
Sandve GK, Gundersen S, Johansen M, Glad IK, Gunathasan K +16 more
Plain English Researchers developed a new online tool called the Genomic HyperBrowser to help scientists analyze large sets of genetic data more easily. This tool allows users to create customized visual representations of their data, leading to better insights into gene regulation, disease links, and changes in the genome, which can be critical for understanding various biological questions. This is important because it enables researchers to gain a clearer understanding of how genes work and how they might be involved in diseases.
Who this helps: This helps researchers and scientists studying genetics and related health issues.
Sandve GK, Gundersen S, Rydbeck H, Glad IK, Holden L +10 more
Plain English This study examined the connections between transcription factors, which are proteins that help control gene activity, and over 1,000 diseases. Researchers created a large-scale map showing how 446 transcription factors are linked to different diseases, revealing patterns that can guide potential drug targets. This resource is important because it gives a comprehensive view of how diseases and gene regulation relate, paving the way for better understanding and treatment strategies.
Who this helps: Patients seeking new treatment options for various diseases.
Identifying elemental genomic track types and representing them uniformly.
2011
BMC bioinformatics
Gundersen S, Kalaš M, Abul O, Frigessi A, Hovig E +1 more
Plain English This study focused on how to organize and represent complex genetic data better. Researchers identified 15 different types of genetic information, which showed that existing data formats don’t effectively support all of these types. They proposed two new formats, BioXSD 1.1 and GTrack 1.0, that allow for clearer and more flexible data representation, making it easier for scientists to analyze genetic information accurately.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers who work with genetic data, making their analysis more efficient and effective.
Proposed requirements for a European Doctorate in Dentistry: a discussion document prepared by a special interest group under the auspices of the Association for Dental Education in Europe.
2010
European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe
Kersten H, Bearn D, Gundersen S, Holbrook P, Kotsanos N +2 more
Plain English This paper looked at the varying requirements for dental doctorates across Europe, finding significant differences in what is expected in different countries and even within the same country. It highlighted the need for standardized requirements to ensure that all dental graduates meet the same high standards. This matters because it can improve the quality of dental education and practice across Europe.
Who this helps: This helps dental students and educators by creating clearer expectations for training.
[Treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma localized to an extremity].
2010
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
Jacobsen KD, Tausjø J, Hager B, Gundersen S
Plain English This study looked at 36 patients with advanced melanoma that had spread to their arms or legs, treated at a hospital in Norway between 1977 and 1999. The treatment involved injecting chemotherapy directly into the affected artery, often along with radiation. The results showed that 24 patients (67%) achieved complete remission, and after an average of about four years, seven patients were still alive a decade later. This is significant because it demonstrates that some patients with advanced melanoma can remain cancer-free for many years after this targeted treatment.
Who this helps: This helps patients with metastatic melanoma localized to an extremity.
Molecular structure of trichloroethenylgermane, CH2=CH-GeCl3, as studied by gas-phase electron diffraction. experimental determination of the barrier of internal rotation of the trichlorogermyl group supplemented with quantum chemical calculations on CH2=CH-MX3 (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and X = H, Cl).
2010
The journal of physical chemistry. A
Samdal S, Guillemin JC, Gundersen S
Plain English This research focused on understanding the structure of a chemical compound called trichloroethenylgermane and how its internal parts rotate. The study found that there is a moderate barrier of 5.3 kJ/mol to this rotation, and key measurements of the molecule were taken, such as the length of the bonds between carbon and germanium (1.911 Å) and between carbon atoms (1.345 Å). This research helps in accurately determining molecular structures, which is important for developing new materials and drugs.
Who this helps: This benefits chemists and researchers working in materials science and pharmaceuticals.
The Genomic HyperBrowser: inferential genomics at the sequence level.
2010
Genome biology
Sandve GK, Gundersen S, Rydbeck H, Glad IK, Holden L +9 more
Plain English This research focused on a new tool called the Genomic HyperBrowser, designed to analyze large amounts of genetic data more effectively. The tool allows researchers to explore relationships between different genetic sequences mathematically, providing a flexible and powerful way to understand complex data. This matters because it offers a more reliable method for analyzing genomic information, which can lead to better insights in biology and medicine.
Who this helps: Patients and researchers working on genetic diseases.
Potential of information technology in dental education.
2008
European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe
Mattheos N, Stefanovic N, Apse P, Attstrom R, Buchanan J +21 more
Plain English The research paper examined how information technology (IT) can improve dental education for students and practicing dentists by incorporating methods like online learning, simulations, and computer assessments. It found that students prefer using e-learning tools alongside traditional teaching methods, and institutions should support teachers in using these technologies effectively. Providing access to high-quality e-learning resources can enhance learning outcomes and keep education up to date with current practices.
Who this helps: This benefits dental students and educators by improving their learning experience and teaching effectiveness.
Quality assurance and benchmarking: an approach for European dental schools.
2007
European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe
Jones ML, Hobson RS, Plasschaert AJ, Gundersen S, Dummer P +3 more
Plain English This paper discusses efforts to improve dental education across Europe by creating consistent quality assurance systems for dental schools. It emphasizes 14 key requirements that all dental programs should strive to meet, helping to ensure that future dentists are well-trained. These efforts will help standardize dental education, making it better and more reliable across different countries.
Who this helps: Patients and dental schools benefit from improved training standards for dentists.
European journal of dental education : official journal of the Association for Dental Education in Europe
Ferrillo P, Jonas I, Gundersen S, Jones M, Whitehouse N +6 more
Plain English This study looked at how managing staff effectively in dental teaching hospitals can enhance the overall quality of their education and clinical services. It found that when universities invest in empowering their faculty and staff, they see improvements in research, education, and patient care. Properly utilizing human resources leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.
Who this helps: This benefits patients, dental schools, and healthcare providers.
The prognostic value of p53 and c-erb B-2 immunostaining is overrated for patients with lymph node negative breast carcinoma: a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in 613 patients with a follow-up of 14-30 years.
2000
Cancer
Reed W, Hannisdal E, Boehler PJ, Gundersen S, Host H +1 more
Plain English This study looked at 613 patients with breast cancer that hadn't spread to the lymph nodes, to see how certain biological markers, like p53 and c-erb B-2, affected survival rates. Researchers found that the presence of these markers did not significantly influence survival outcomes; for example, after 10 years, patients with lower grade tumors had an 90% survival rate compared to 70% for higher grade tumors. This matters because it suggests that focusing on tumor size and grade is more important for predicting survival than these specific markers.
Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors understand which factors matter most in monitoring and treating early-stage breast cancer.
Efficacy of pamidronate in breast cancer with bone metastases: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled multicenter study.
1999
Anticancer research
Hultborn R, Gundersen S, Ryden S, Holmberg E, Carstensen J +17 more
Plain English This study looked at how effective pamidronate, given as an injection every four weeks, is for women with advanced breast cancer that has spread to their bones. Among 404 participants, those taking pamidronate experienced a longer time without increased pain and fewer complications related to their bones compared to those who received a placebo. This is important because it shows that pamidronate can improve quality of life and reduce skeletal-related issues for these patients.
Who this helps: This helps women with advanced breast cancer and their doctors.
Influence of droloxifene on metastatic breast cancer as first-line endocrine treatment.
1998
Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)
Haarstad H, Lønning PE, Gundersen S, Wist E, Raabe N +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how well a medication called droloxifene works as a first treatment for advanced breast cancer in 39 postmenopausal women. The results showed that about 51% of the women responded positively to the treatment, with an average response time of 2 months and a duration of about 10 months before the cancer worsened. Importantly, droloxifene was generally well tolerated, with hot flushes being the most common side effect.
Who this helps: This helps postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer who have not had prior treatment.
A retrospective study of the value of chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy to surgery and radiotherapy in grade 3 and 4 gliomas.
1998
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
Gundersen S, Lote K, Watne K
Plain English This study looked at the impact of adding chemotherapy to surgery and radiation treatment for patients under 55 with two types of brain tumors: anaplastic gliomas and glioblastomas. It found that patients with anaplastic gliomas who received a specific type of chemotherapy (i.a.BCNU-PV) lived a median of 80 months, compared to just 25 months for those who did not receive chemotherapy. For glioblastoma patients, chemotherapy showed a modest survival benefit, but overall, the results were less clear due to age differences among the groups studied.
Who this helps: This research helps patients with anaplastic gliomas and their doctors in deciding on treatment options.
Comparison of toremifene and tamoxifen in post-menopausal patients with advanced breast cancer: a randomized double-blind, the 'nordic' phase III study.
1997
British journal of cancer
Pyrhönen S, Valavaara R, Modig H, Pawlicki M, Pienkowski T +11 more
Plain English The study compared two medications, toremifene and tamoxifen, in post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer who had not been treated before. Out of 415 women, those taking tamoxifen experienced a higher response rate (37.3%) compared to those taking toremifene (31.3%), but both treatments did not differ significantly in overall survival, with patients on toremifene living an average of 33 months and those on tamoxifen living an average of 38.7 months. However, tamoxifen had more side effects, causing more women to stop treatment early.
Who this helps: This benefits post-menopausal women with advanced breast cancer and their doctors in making informed treatment choices.
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
Gundersen S, Kvaløy S, Hannisdal E
Plain English This study looked at how effective different follow-up tests are for detecting relapses in 430 breast cancer patients after treatment. Over an average of eight years, 128 patients had a relapse, with 91 developing metastatic disease. The research found that a combination of three blood tests was particularly helpful in spotting relapses, allowing for a 90% reduction in costs while still keeping effective monitoring.
Who this helps: This helps breast cancer patients and their doctors by offering a more affordable way to monitor for relapses.
Prognostic factors for glioblastoma multiforme--development of a prognostic index.
1996
Acta oncologica (Stockholm, Sweden)
Gundersen S, Lote K, Hannisdal E
Plain English This study focused on glioblastoma multiforme, a serious brain cancer, to identify factors that affect patient survival. Researchers looked at data from 495 patients and found that factors like age, how well patients were functioning, and whether they needed certain medications could help predict how long someone might live after diagnosis. For instance, in the high-risk group, nearly all patients died within 18 months, which highlights the bleak prognosis for this subset.
Who this helps: This information benefits doctors in making better predictions about patient outcomes and tailoring treatment plans.
[Tumor size and histological grading of stage 1 breast cancer. Prognostic and therapeutic significance].
1996
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
Gundersen S, Bøhler P, Hannisdal E, Høst H
Plain English This study looked at 399 early-stage breast cancer patients who didn't have cancer spread to their lymph nodes and aimed to find out which patients might need extra treatment after surgery. Researchers found that patients with larger tumors (classified as T2) and higher histological grades (grades 2 and 3) were 3.3 times more likely to die from breast cancer compared to other patients. This is important because it helps identify those at higher risk who may benefit from additional treatment, potentially improving their chances of survival.
Who this helps: This helps patients with higher-risk early-stage breast cancer and their doctors in making treatment decisions.
[Prognosis in primary tumors of the central nervous system. A patient material from the Norwegian Radium Hospital 1960-94].
1996
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
Lote K, Gundersen S, Hannisdal E, Hager B, Stenwig AE +5 more
Plain English This study examined the survival rates of 1,218 patients treated for primary brain tumors at the Norwegian Radium Hospital between 1980 and 1994. The findings showed that patients with glioblastoma lived an average of 12 months, while those with anaplastic astrocytoma lived about 25 months, and astrocytoma patients had a median survival of 95 months. These results highlight the importance of tumor type and location, age, and overall health in determining how long patients can expect to live after a diagnosis of a brain tumor.
Who this helps: This helps patients and doctors in understanding prognosis and treatment options for brain tumors.
Circulating anodic antigen (CAA) levels in different age groups in a Zimbabwean rural community endemic for Schistosoma haematobium determined using the magnetic beads antigen-capture enzyme-linked immunoassay.
1996
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene
Ndhlovu P, Cadman H, Gundersen S, Vennervald BJ, Friis H +5 more
Plain English This study looked at levels of a specific substance called circulating anodic antigen (CAA) in people of different ages living in a rural area of Zimbabwe where schistosomiasis is common. Researchers found that younger children, aged 5 to 14, had higher levels of CAA than older individuals, and the test used to measure CAA was very accurate, correctly identifying infections 97% of the time. These findings matter because they can help identify how many people are infected and may lead to better treatment strategies for those affected by this disease.
Who this helps: This helps patients, particularly children in areas where schistosomiasis is prevalent.
Adjuvant tamoxifen for pre- and postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor positive, node positive breast cancer: a randomized study.
1995
Breast cancer research and treatment
Gundersen S, Hannisdal E, Søreide JA, Skarstein A, Varhaug JE
Plain English This study looked at how the drug tamoxifen affects women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes. Out of 370 women, those who took tamoxifen for two years had fewer local cancer recurrences and better survival rates after about six years, although the benefits were most noticeable in women over 50 years old. These findings are important because they highlight tamoxifen's effectiveness in improving outcomes for older women with this type of breast cancer.
Who this helps: This helps older women with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer.
Influence of treatment with the anti-oestrogen 3-hydroxytamoxifen (droloxifene) on plasma sex hormone levels in postmenopausal patients with breast cancer.
1995
The Journal of endocrinology
Geisler J, Haarstad H, Gundersen S, Raabe N, Kvinnsland S +1 more
Plain English This study looked at how the drug droloxifene affects hormone levels in 20 postmenopausal women with breast cancer over a period of a year. They found that while droloxifene didn’t change the main estrogen hormone significantly, two types of estrogen (estrone and estrone sulfate) actually increased by up to 69.4%. Additionally, sex hormone-binding globulin levels rose by 73.9%, which could impact how hormones function in the body.
Who this helps: This research benefits postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving droloxifene treatment.
Weekly doxorubicin with or without high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in hormone-resistant advanced breast cancer. A randomised study. The Norwegian Breast Cancer Group.
1994
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
Gundersen S, Hannisdal E, Lundgren S, Wist E
Plain English This study looked at 218 patients with advanced breast cancer that didn't respond to hormone therapy. Some received a weekly dose of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin by itself, while others received it along with a high dose of a hormone called medroxyprogesterone acetate. It was found that 26% of patients on just doxorubicin responded to the treatment, compared to 38% in the combination group, but both groups had similar survival rates of around 11 months, and the hormone added significant side effects like weight gain.
Who this helps: This research helps doctors treating patients with hormone-resistant advanced breast cancer.
Follow-up of breast cancer patients stage I-II: a baseline strategy.
1993
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)
Hannisdal E, Gundersen S, Kvaløy S, Lindegaard MW, Aas M +4 more
Plain English This study looked at the follow-up care of 430 breast cancer patients in early stages (I-II) over an average of 8 years to see if certain tests helped detect cancer relapses. The researchers found that common tests like chest X-rays were expensive but rarely revealed new problems, while specific blood tests showed a strong ability to predict relapses, especially when two or more tests were elevated. This is important because using these blood tests for monitoring could help identify relapses earlier, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Who this helps: This benefits breast cancer patients and their doctors by refining follow-up care to better detect cancer relapses.
Randomized phase II trial of iproplatin and carboplatin in advanced breast cancer. The EORTC Early Clinical Trials Group and the EORTC Data Center.
1993
Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology
Vermorken JB, Gundersen S, Clavel M, Smyth JF, Dodion P +2 more
Plain English This study examined the effectiveness of two chemotherapy drugs, iproplatin and carboplatin, in women with advanced breast cancer who had already undergone other treatments. Out of 62 patients, only 7% responded positively to iproplatin and 3% to carboplatin, with responses lasting up to 64 weeks. Both drugs showed limited effectiveness and had similar side effects, including high rates of nausea and vomiting.
Who this helps: This research helps doctors and patients understand that these drugs may not be effective options for advanced breast cancer after previous treatments.
[Prognostic parameters in localized breast cancer].
1992
Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke
Reed W, Gundersen S, Lønning PE, Nesland JM
Plain English This study looked at women with localized breast cancer, specifically those whose cancer is not detected in lymph nodes. It found that certain factors, like age and tumor size, can help predict how serious the cancer is. For example, younger women (under 30) and older women (over 70) tend to have worse outcomes. Understanding these factors can help doctors decide who needs additional treatments after surgery.
Who this helps: This helps doctors and breast cancer patients make more informed decisions about treatment options.