Hugo Swenson: In search of new biological clues in ovarian cancer

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HUGO SWENSON
Dissertation defense: 6 Mars 2026 (click for details)
Doctoral thesis: Characterization of novel prognostic and histotype-specific biomarkers in ovarian cancer
Research area: Oncology
Sahlgrenska Academy, The Institute of Clinical Sciences

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of gynecological cancer in women, with epithelial ovarian cancer¹ being the most common type. This form of cancer is an umbrella term for several tumor subtypes that differ markedly in their origin, biological characteristics, and prognosis.

The disease primarily affects women after menopause and is often asymptomatic at an early stage. As a result, many women are not diagnosed until the cancer has already spread, leading to a significantly poorer prognosis.

– Despite this, there are currently no reliable methods to identify and classify ovarian cancer and its subtypes at an early stage, before surgery. In addition, there are only a limited number of treatment options beyond surgery and chemotherapy, which means that treatment can often be physically demanding for the patient, says Hugo Swenson, and a doctoral student at the Institute of Clinical Sciences.

Some of the subtypes are also resistant to chemotherapy, meaning that treatment is not always as effective as desired.

Gene activity varies

The research focuses on identifying genetic markers² for the four most common subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer. This is done, for example, by studying gene expression³ in patients with a specific cancer subtype and then attempting to identify genes that differ markedly between that subtype and the others.

– By combining such genes, they can be used to distinguish between different cancer subtypes and contribute to more precise diagnostics, something that is already applied in other cancer types.

If it is also possible to see that overexpression or underexpression of a gene is associated with higher expected mortality in patients, this could provide a strong starting point for precision medicine.

Another piece of the precision medicine puzzle

Through the research underlying his thesis, the team has shown that epithelial ovarian cancer subtypes differ both epigenetically and transcriptionally. Epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of a gene are two closely linked levels of gene regulation that determine which genes a cell uses, without altering the DNA sequence itself, the order of the genetic code.

– We have also identified several genes that are expressed very differently in one subtype compared with the others, some of which are related to important biological functions or strongly associated with increased expected mortality.

In the future, these results may have the potential to be included in diagnostic panels or serve as a foundation for precision medicine.

– That said, the research conducted by our group is preclinical, and the findings need to be further evaluated before they can be implemented in clinical practice.

What has been the most challenging and rewarding part of the PhD project?
– A PhD project requires self-discipline, drive, and creativity. You are expected to lead the project largely on your own, even though you have access to fantastic colleagues and inspiring supervisors. At times, the work can feel lonely, and because you often work in a very focused and specialized way, it can also be difficult to view your own research objectively.

– That being said, it is incredibly rewarding to be able to immerse yourself so wholeheartedly in something you are passionate about. And the somewhat dreamy thought that what you have accomplished may one day help others is very motivating.

Text: Susanne Lj Westergren