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Hans Lilja

MD, PhD


Professor of Clinical Biochemistry

  • Finland Distinguished Professor (Adjunct), BoMediTech, University of Tampere
  • Attending Clinical Chemist (part-time), MSKCC
  • Professor (Adjunct), Lund University

My research focuses on the biology of prostate-secreted kallikrein-related peptidases and microseminoprotein-beta (MSMB) and their association with risk and phenotype outcome of prostate cancer.

During my PhD thesis-project at Lund University, I studied the function of the male accessory sex glands. This led to my discovery of the physiological function of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Based on the hypothesis that the biomarker function of PSA is contingent on the catalytic action of PSA, I discovered that the free, unbound PSA in blood was an independent predictor of prostate cancer risk and that PSA was mainly bound to alpha-1-antichymotrypsin in blood. I went on to combine basic, translational, and clinical research to investigate the biology and regulation of the catalytic action of PSA and related biomarkers, their association with risk, phenotype, and prostate cancer outcome.

I have published 284 peer-reviewed original research reports and 66 peer-reviewed review papers and have the experience and expertise to serve as Co-Leader of research project 5 on the proposed SPORE in Prostate Cancer.