The Swedish cancer association PALEMA is awarding its research grants for the first time to two promising young cancer researchers in the field of liver and biliary tract cancer.
This year’s recipients are Anna Forslund, specialist surgeon at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and Antonio Akiki, junior doctor at the Upper Abdominal Disease Unit, Karolinska University Hospital.
PALEMA’s project grants for cancer researchers have previously been awarded in the areas of pancreatic, esophageal, and gastric cancer.
This year marks the first time the grants are extended to researchers in liver and biliary tract cancer – an area with a strong need for new knowledge and improved treatment strategies.
Antonio Akiki and Anna Forslund receives the research grants from Ewa Backman and Fredrik Smedberg, PALEMA.
Anna Forslund – Research on Frailty and Treatment Outcomes in Biliary Tract Cancer.
Anna Forslund is a PhD candidate leading the project “Frailty and its Impact on Biliary Drainage and Treatment of Biliary Tract Cancer.” The project addresses a central and clinically relevant issue: how frailty and the interaction between comorbidities, treatments, and complications affect survival, treatment outcomes, and quality of life in patients with biliary tract cancer.
By combining national registry data with detailed chart reviews, the project aims to generate new insights into how frailty influences treatment selection, complication risk, and completion of planned therapies. The findings are expected to contribute to more individualized and safer treatment strategies.
“We see this project as both scientifically significant and clinically highly relevant, with great potential to improve care for a vulnerable patient group. It is with great pleasure that we present the 2025 PALEMA research grant for biliary tract cancer to Anna Forslund,” says Eva Backman, Chair of PALEMA.
“The research grant will be of great help in funding my work. Receiving this recognition from a patient association is especially meaningful, as it serves as proof that the research is considered valuable by those it ultimately aims to benefit,” says Anna Forslund.
Antonio Akiki – Research on Recurrence Risk in Liver Cancer.
Antonio Akiki receives the grant for his research on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a type of bile duct cancer within the liver that often recurs even after surgery. His project aims to combine blood-based biomarkers, tissue analysis, and radiology to improve preoperative risk assessment. The goal is to establish “CSF1” as a prognostic marker for early recurrence, thereby enabling more personalized treatment approaches. The project combines translational research with clinical application and has the potential to contribute to more precise treatment strategies and improved survival.
Antonio Akiki’s research represents an exciting and innovative step toward more personalized cancer treatment. PALEMA is proud to support this important work, says Eva Backman, Chair of PALEMA.
“I am deeply grateful for the PALEMA grant. As an early-career researcher, this support and trust mean a great deal. It is particularly meaningful to receive recognition from a patient association that represents those we most hope to make a difference for,” says Antonio Akiki.
