Major Investment in Women's Health Research

The report from the Women's Health Committee in 2023 reveals significant knowledge gaps in women's health. Research shows that several diseases have different symptom profiles in women and men, treatment has varying effects depending on gender, and risk factors contributing to disease development vary between the sexes.

Large Investment in Women's Health Research

To address these challenges, the Trond Mohn Research Foundation, in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Bergen (UiB) and Helse Bergen (HB), has invested 50 million NOK in a new research initiative. The Trond Mohn Research Foundation contributes 24 million NOK, while UiB and HB provide the remainder of the funding.

Four Research Projects Selected

The research initiative includes four selected projects that aim to answer important questions in women's health:

• Fetal Life and Genetics: Exploring whether early mutations in fetal development may cause women-related diseases and known cancers.
• Early Menopause: Developing methods to improve fertility in young women at risk of early menopause.
• Epilepsy Medications: Research on the safe use of antiepileptic drugs for women of reproductive age.
• Ovarian Cancer: Developing the foundation for new treatments.

All the projects are associated with Driv – Center for Women's Health Research at the University of Bergen.

Gender Perspective in Health Research Must Be Strengthened

Marit Bakke, Head of Driv and Pro-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Medicine, UiB, emphasizes the importance of the gender perspective in research: – We are concerned that the gender perspective in health research must be ensured in general, so that differences in men's and women's disease symptoms and risks are mapped, but also that more research is conducted on diseases that primarily affect women. She adds that this initiative represents a significant step in the right direction.

Nicholas K. Nunn, Executive Director of the Trond Mohn Research Foundation, is pleased with the response from the research communities: – We are happy to contribute. Good women’s health is important both on an individual and societal level. The external evaluation panel also highlighted the high scientific quality of the projects, which is a crucial factor when distributing research funding.

Better Diagnostics and Treatment

Vibeke Vold, Research Director at Helse Bergen, highlights the importance of the new knowledge the research initiative will generate: – We want to meet our patients with knowledge, care, and interest. We are happy to contribute to new knowledge that allows us to diagnose and treat more precisely, through this investment in women's health.

More about the Research Projects in Women's Health:

Mutations in Fetal Life May Lead to Cancer in Adult Women Early Embryonic Epimutations and Female Cancer Project Leader: Stian Knappskog, University of Bergen, Faculty of Medicine

This project aims to explore how epigenetic changes in the fetal stage might contribute to aggressive cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer. Recent breakthroughs show that 5-10% of healthy women have normal cells with epimutations spread like a “mosaic” in their bodies, which significantly increases the risk of triple-negative breast cancer. The project could open up new research fields beyond breast cancer, as the results are also relevant for other cancers. The findings could also be applicable to other women-specific symptoms.

Improved Diagnostics and Fertility for Young Women with Early Menopause Young Women with Premature Menopause - Call for Action to Improve Diagnostics and Improve Fertility Project Leader: Eystein Husebye, University of Bergen, Faculty of Medicine

Premature menopause and hormonal disorders (known as POI - Premature Ovarian Insufficiency) affect 3% of women under 40. Besides infertility, the consequences include increased risks for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and autoimmune disorders. Hormone therapy counteracts menopausal symptoms associated with POI, but there is no treatment to restore or improve fertility. The cause of POI remains unknown for most women, and the disease mechanisms are under-researched. Through interdisciplinary national and international collaboration, the project aims to provide unique insights into a disease that has devastating effects on young women, uncover gender-specific features of the immune system, and find new diagnostic tools to preserve fertility.

Ensuring the Safe Use of Antiepileptic Drugs for Women of Reproductive Age Safe Treatment for Women Needing Antiseizure Medications - A Multimodal Translational and Epidemiological Approach Project Leader: Marte-Helene Bjørk, University of Bergen, Faculty of Medicine

The project aims to close knowledge gaps and enhance safety for women of reproductive age using antiepileptic drugs. These medications are used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder, headaches, pain, and other neurological and psychiatric conditions common in women. However, the drugs can cause birth defects and neurodevelopmental disorders when used during pregnancy. The project is divided into three work packages that will assess the safety of these medications, investigate markers for fetal harm, and validate epigenetic markers in a larger multinational cohort.

New Immunotherapy Treatment for Ovarian Cancer Rethinking Ovarian Cancer: Developing Diagnostic and Functional Tools and Designing Innovative Multimodal Treatment Strategies Project Leader:Line Bjørge, University of Bergen, Faculty of Medicine

In Norway, around 500 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year, but the survival rate is low, and most experience recurrence. To improve treatment with immunotherapy, we need a better understanding of the tumor variations and the inhibitory microenvironment around them. This project will increase our understanding of immunobiology in ovarian cancer, develop tools to identify biomarkers and test immunotherapies, and establish methods for combining surgery with immunotherapy. The project consists of three parts: developing personalized immunoprofiling tools, modeling tumor interactions to test immunotherapies, and developing a local immunotherapy method using CAR-T cells. The results from preclinical tests will form the basis for a clinical program to be ready by the end of the project period.