Volvo Group's Assar Gabrielsson Foundation Awards 2026 Cancer Research Prizes
Three scientists received the 2026 Assar Gabrielsson Prize for cancer research in basic science and clinical categories.
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What Happened
The Foundation Assar Gabrielsson Prize 2026 has been awarded to three researchers for their contributions to cancer research. The prize is awarded by the Assar Gabrielsson Foundation, established in 1962 by Volvo co-founder Assar Gabrielsson to support clinical cancer research. The recipients are Ketan Thombare, Louise Carstam, and Ella Äng-Eklund.
“Ketan Thombare is awarded the prize in the category of basic science research for centers on understanding how RNA modifications regulate cancer biology, with a particular emphasis on high-risk neuroblastoma. These findings contribute to understanding RNA-mediated mechanisms underlying tumor cell identity in aggressive neuroblastoma.”
“Louise Carstam receives the prize in the clinical research category for research on the diffuse low‑grade gliomas, a type of brain tumor that often presents with a first epileptic seizure in otherwise asymptomatic young adults. The studies provide providing better guidance on when early intensive treatment is beneficial for the patient and when it may be preferable to wait.”
“Ella Äng‑Eklunds, her research focuses on prognostic and predictive biomarkers to guide treatment selection and on translational bench to bedside approaches, with the overarching goal of translating discoveries into patient benefit. She defended her thesis with a focus on KRAS-mutated non-small lung cancer in November 2025.”
Why this matters
The foundation, established by Volvo co-founder Assar Gabrielsson, supports early-stage promising cancer research that may not yet qualify for major funding.
Terms in This Story
- neuroblastoma
- A type of cancer that develops from nerve cells, often in children.
- glioma
- A type of brain tumor that arises from glial cells.
- biomarkers
- Biological molecules that indicate the presence or progression of a disease.
- KRAS-mutated non-small lung cancer
- A form of lung cancer with a mutation in the KRAS gene.
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