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