Researcher of the Month

April 2024

Pink Ribbon Cancer Researcher Alexandra Lahtinen completed her master’s degree in chemistry in Lomonosov Moscow State University in 2003. Between 2017 and 2021, she studied translational medicine in the University of Helsinki, followed by a PhD in epigenetics. After thesis defence, Alexandra changed her research area to cancer and became a post-doctoral researcher in the Professor Hautaniemi's research group.

From sleep studies to cancer research

Alexandra’s main research focus is epigenetics, precisely DNA methylation. Both her master’s thesis in translational medicine and PhD were focused on DNA methylation pattern in insufficient sleep. DNA methylation in cancer appears to be complex, but basic principles and research questions remain somewhat similar to the neuroscience: do tumor show different epigenome and what is the nature of these differences? Can we find tumor vulnerabilities via DNA methylation? How does tumor epigenome evolve once patient is treated?

DNA methylation in different statuses of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma

Currently, Alexandra studies DNA methylation in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma, the most common and deadliest type of ovarian cancer. Through wide collaboration, she has access to an enormous dataset consisting of 400 samples from 125 patients with whole genome data. According to Alexandra, this sets up a high bar of challenge, as such data should give special, rich insights into epigenetic evolution and changes occurring in the ovarian tumors along the treatment course. There is so much one can do with DNA methylation, especially if data are integrated with genetics, transcriptomics and images, Alexandra explains. Now, when the preprocessing steps are finished, it is time to move on with differential methylation analyses and search for epigenetic drivers of this cancer, along with potential treatment options, she continues.

Evolutionary perspective allows stratifying patients into distinct states associated with treatment response

Alexandra’s first research article in the field of cancer was published last summer with a title Evolutionary states and trajectories characterized by distinct pathways stratify patients with ovarian high grade serous carcinoma and describes tumor evolution in ovarian cancer.  The idea was to study genetic evolution in patients’ samples before they get chemotherapy treatment or go to a surgery. Based on the results, high-grade serous carcinoma appears to be complex, due to the absence of common genetic drivers and enormous inter- and intratumor heterogeneity. Therefore, apart from the platinum/taxane chemotherapy and surgery there are not many alternatives for treating these patients. Alexandra and her colleagues attempted to clarify this genetic chaos from the evolutionary perspective and found a way to stratify patients at the diagnosis into distinct states associated with treatment response. For each group of patients, belonging to one of three evolutionary states, they investigated affected signaling pathways suggesting treatment options. Alexandra thinks that completing this study was the hardest task in her research career so far and she learnt a lot. The study definitely made me fall for tumor evolution, as now I just try to study it everywhere, for example, in my favourite DNA methylation! Alexandra says with a laugh.

Dog, cats and fairy tales counterbalance work

In addition to DNA methylation passion, Alexandra is a huge pet lover who can talk endlessly about dogs and cats. Two resqued dogs and a like-queen-behaving cat live under the same roof with Alexandra, bringing lots of joy daily and such healthy habits as long walks and early wake-ups. On her free time, Alexandra writes fiction stories, specifically, fairy tales for kids. This activity has long roots in her family, since both her parents were writers. Alexandra thinks the magic world of dwarves, princesses, and dragons is a great place to escape from genes, p values, and differential methylation.