About us
Beating cancer with dedication
MYCimmune program builds on strong scientific expertise and decades-long creative discovery
MYCimmune program was established in 2021 by Dr. Juha Klefström and Dr. Andrei Goga, who have been leaders in their fields to identify new ways to target MYC high tumors via synthetic-lethal strategies. Klefström and Goga have decades-long experience in research on MYC biology and the role of MYC in cancer cell death processes. They have designed and initiated early-phase clinical trials that explore new ways to target MYC high tumors for patients with metastatic disease.
The MYCimmune project strives to translate discoveries to benefit of patients with MYC overexpressing cancers, some of the most aggressive and difficult to treat tumors. To achieve this goal, the MYCimmune project brings together diverse translational research, innovation, and advocacy activities in both EU and US regions.
Funding for the project Combining Immunotherapy and MYC Synthetic Lethality for Metastatic Breast Cancer is provided by the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP), Breakthrough Award W81XWH2110773.
Funding for the project MYC-based synthetic lethal strategies to treat metastatic breast cancer (project number 350393) is provided by the Academy of Finland.
MYCimmune Development Teams
Research Team

Juha Klefström
Research Professor, PhD
University of Helsinki

Andrei Goga
Professor, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Pauliina Munne
Senior Scientist, PhD,
University of Helsinki

Topi Tervonen
Adj. Professor, PhD
University of Helsinki

Mehrdad Matloubian
Professor, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Joyce Lee
Research Scientist, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Juliane Winkler
Research Scientist, PhD, Pharm.D
University California, San Francisco

Daphne Superville
Researcher
University of California, San Francisco
Johanna Anttila
Researcher, M.Sc.
University of Helsinki
Ruixian Liu (Mars)
Research Scientist, PhD
University of Helsinki
Mariel Savelius
Researcher, M.Sc.
University of Helsinki
Rita Turpin
Researcher, M.Sc.
University of Helsinki
Clinical Team

Andrei Goga
Professor, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco

Johanna Mattson
Director, Physician-in-Chief, MD, PhD
HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center

Hope Rugo
Professor, MD
UCSF Breast Medical Oncology
Gregor Krings
Associate Professor, MD, PhD
UCSF Pathology
Minna Mutka
Clinical Pathologist, MD
HUSLAB
Innovation Team (Read more)
Advocacy Team

Anu Niemi
Executive Director
Breast Cancer Association Europa Donna Finland ry

Vivian Lee
Research Advocate
UCSF Breast Science Advocacy Core

Carole Baas
Research Advocate, PhD
NCI Physical Sciences in Oncology Network (PSON)
Office

Katriina Koski
Project Coordinator
University of Helsinki
MYCimmune-office@helsinki.fi