Among this year’s awardees is Dr. Sandra Lindstedt, senior consultant in thoracic surgery at Skåne University Hospital and adjunct professor at Lund University, who has been awarded a SEK 27 million Early Detection Grant. As part of the organization’s special focus to fund early detection research, her project aims to develop and clinically validate a new, noninvasive method for detecting lung cancer by analysing microscopic particles in the breath which we exhale.
A simple breath test for earlier lung cancer diagnosis
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among both men and women worldwide, largely because it is typically discovered only after symptoms appear. Earlier detection could significantly improve survival, yet current screening depends on CT imaging, requires specialized facilities, and is often not be accessible to everyone at risk.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is that most lung cancers are found far too late,” explains Sandra Lindstedt. “We urgently need diagnostic tools that are simple, accessible, and can reach people long before symptoms begin.”
Sandra Lindstedt and her team at Lund University are investigating a new alternative. They are studying exhaled breath particles, tiny droplets released from the deepest parts of the lung during normal breathing. These particles which are collected directly from patients in a non-invasive manner, contain information that reflects what is happening inside the lung tissue.
“Every breath carries microscopic particles that originate from the alveoli. By analyzing them, we can get a direct window into the lung’s biology without radiation, needles, or invasive procedures,” she highlights.
With support from Cancerfonden, the team will enroll patients at several clinical sites to test whether their method can safely detect early-stage lung cancer.
“This funding allows us to move from a promising idea to real clinical testing. It enables us to recruit patients, validate our technology, and take a crucial step toward a tool that could transform early lung cancer diagnosis,” says Sandra. “If we succeed, a simple breath sample collected in any clinic—or even in remote areas—could help identify lung cancer earlier, when treatment is most effective.”
Advancing cancer research across stem cell and molecular medicine
In addition to supporting early cancer detection efforts, Cancerfonden awarded SEK 23 million to nine researchers at the Lund Stem Cell Center. Their projects cover a wide range of cancer types including pancreatic, brain, blood, and breast cancers, and address key questions such as:
- How do tumors interact with the immune system?
- How can cancer stem cells drive disease progression?
- How does metabolism fuel tumor growth?
- How does genome instability contribute to cancer development?
This breadth reflects the strength of Lund’s strategic research environment for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, where clinical departments, scientific laboratories, and advanced technology platforms work closely together. This close integration helps move discoveries from the laboratory into patient-focused studies, and supports the development of potential new treatment strategies.
