University Hospital of Northern Sweden
Region Västerbotten
Norrlands universitetssjukhus
901 85 UMEÅ
Tel: +46 90-785 00 00 (switch board)
Research project U‑CAN has, since 2010, built an infrastructure for collecting clinical data and establishing a biobank including blood and tumor samples for cancer research. The biobank is available to researchers and companies developing diagnostics and treatments for cancer.
ͯÑÕÊÓƵ collaborates with Uppsala University, Stockholm University, and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). Together, the universities form a Strategic Research Area (SFO).
Umeå University hosts several internationally leading research groups in the cancer field. Clinical teams include oncologists, surgeons, hematologists, radiologists, pathologists, and researchers working with the cancer diagnoses covered by U‑CAN. Their task is to collect high‑quality samples and data for research.
U‑CAN systematically collects clinical materials such as blood samples at and after diagnosis, as well as tissue, imaging and functional data, laboratory information, and patient data in biobanks and databases for several cancer types, including prostate cancer, brain tumors, colorectal cancer, hematological malignancies, lymphomas, and lung cancer.
Samples are collected from individuals with suspected or confirmed tumor disease, including those later found not to have cancer. All materials contribute to ongoing and future research.
Participants are asked to consent to U‑CAN storing and using:
A link to the PDF containing participant information and the consent form can be found here (in Swedish). You will be asked to consent to U‑CAN being allowed to:
The purpose of this collection is to improve future diagnostics, treatment, and survival in cancer diseases.
U‑CAN enables collaboration between researchers and healthcare providers across Sweden and supports national and international research groups.
A pre‑project form is available for specifying desired sample types, sample quantities, and clinical parameters, enabling U‑CAN to assess whether a proposed project is feasible within the existing cohort.
Pre‑project form
A link to the pre‑project form can be found . Fill in the form to find out whether the requested material exists. The form is then to be sent to u-can@igp.uu.se
Region Västerbotten
Norrlands universitetssjukhus
901 85 UMEÅ
Tel: +46 90-785 00 00 (switch board)
Diagnostic groups within U-CAN Umeå
For information about the project or questions regarding sample access from Umeå, please contact the project coordinator, Madelene Ericsson, using the form below or by sending an e-mail to: Projektkoordinator.UCAN@ͯÑÕÊÓƵ.
Approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority is required for any release of U‑CAN material. The U‑CAN administration can assist with preparing or pre‑reviewing the ethics application.
Samples can only be released once a formal application has been submitted according to the instructions below and approved by both the relevant U‑CAN diagnostic group and the biobank.
Guidelines and Application Documents
The U‑CAN Umeå project coordinator responds to questions submitted through the form below. You may also send an e-mail.
Published articles based on material or funding from U‑CAN with researchers affiliated Umeå University or Region Västerbotten:
2026
Escriva Conde M, et al. Br J Cancer
Flodbring Larsson P, et al. Signal Transduct Target Ther.
Rosenbaum A, et al. Neurooncol Adv
Wu WY, et al. J Neurooncol
2025
Axelsson J, et al. Neurooncol Adv.
Edin S, et al. Oncoimmunity.
Lundquist K, et al. Cancers (Basel).
Rutegård MK, et al. Eur Radiol.
Wu Y-Y W, et al. Sci Rep.
2024
Andersson A, et al. Clin Cancer Res
Forsgren E, et al. Br J Haematol.
Hjortborg M, et al. Sci Rep.
Löding S, et al. Sci Rep.
Löwenmark Thyra, et al. J Transl Med.
Nilsson RF, et al. Neurooncol Pract.
Nunes L, et al. Nature.
Sanchez-Castillo A, et al. Oncogenesis.
2022
Björkblom B, et al. Neuro Oncol.
Holmgren K, et al. BJS Open.
2021
Li X, et al. Pathol Res Pract.
Stålnacke M, et al. J Clin Med.
Åberg A-M, et al. Cancers (Basel).
2020
Abdulla M, et al. Am J Hematol.
Björkblom B, et al. Br J Cancer.
Li X, et al. Cancers (Basel).
Löwenmark T, et al. Sci Rep.
Menter T, et al. Br J Haematol.
Quist-Paulsen P, et al. Leukemia.
Stålnacke M, et al. Acta Neurol Scand.
Voss G, et al. Carcinogenesis.
Ylitalo EB, et al. Prostate.
2019
Adamo H, et al. Prostate.
Andersson U, et al. Cancer Causes Control.
Aripaka K,et al. EBioMedicine.
Eriksson M, et al. Acta Oncol.
Evelönn EA, et al. BMC Cancer.
Haider Z, et al. Cancer Med.
Hammarsten P, et al. Mod Pathol.
Hirvonen EAM, et al. Leukemia.
Kolan SS, et al. Sci Rep.
Rutegård MK, et al. Cancer Imaging.
Sjöberg RL, et al. J Neurooncol.
Thysell E, et al. Mol Oncol.
Wu WY, et al. Cancers (Basel).
2018
Borssén M, et al. Clin Epigenetics.
Glimelius B, et al. Acta Oncol.
Halin Bergström S, et al. Prostate.
Iglesias-Gato D, et al. Clin Cancer Res.
Norberg A, et al. Eur J Hum Genet.
Tjon-Kon-Fat LA., et al. Prostate.
Trotta L, et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis.
Vaniotis G, et al. Oncogene.
Wikberg ML, et al. Cancer Med.
2017
Degerman S, et al. Neurobiol Aging.
Djusberg E, et al. Prostate.
Ling A, et al. Oncoimmunology.
Melin BS. Nat Genet.
Thysell E, et al. Cancer Res.
Ylitalo EB, et al. Eur Urol.
Åstrand AP, et al. Sensors (Basel).
2016
Borssén M, et al. Pediatr Blood Cancer.
Dahlin AM, et al. PLoS One.
Frentzas S, et al. Nat Med.
Ghasimi S et al. J Neurooncol.
Halin Bergström S, et al. PLoS One.
Mansouri L, et al. Blood.
2015
Nyberg M, et al. J Med Eng Technol.
Nyström H, et al. Tumour Biol.
2013
Jalkanen V, et al. . J Med Eng Technol.
2012
Nyström H, et al. Anticancer Res.
2011
Nyström H, et al. Eur J Surg Oncol.
