Cancer researches
Tays Cancer Centre's Cancer Medication Research Unit FONK is an internationally respected and high-quality drug research centre. We conduct both academic cancer drug research and cooperation with pharmaceutical companies. With pharmaceutical researches, we increase the patients' chances of getting treatment with new cancer drugs as early as possible.
Thanks to high-quality pharmaceutical research, cancer treatment is constantly improving. The research enables cancer treatments for patients that are not yet generally available. At the Cancer Medication Research Unit, FONK, we conduct clinical trials of all cancer types and stages (phases I-IV).
The pharmaceutical researches are strictly supervised and carried out in accordance with good clinical practice (GCP) in compliance with national and international regulations. Bringing new drugs to patients’ use requires extensive research and development prior to their arrival from pharmaceutical companies.
In clinical drug researches, the drug's efficacy, safety and appropriate dosage are investigated. The effect and possible adverse effects of the investigational drug are closely monitored during the treatment with the investigational drug and during the follow-up period following the treatment.
Patients are recruited by cancer researches
By participating in clinical cancer research, you can help develop new drugs and treatments. At the same time, you can get treatments or drugs for your illness that are not yet generally available. You apply for a clinical cancer research with a doctor's referral.
R23009M LD-VenEx, main researcher Johanna Rimpiläinen
Phase II study of Azacitidine in combination with low dose intensity Venetoclax in patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia with integration of explorative multi-omics and ex vivo drug screening data
R20054M ALL Together, main researcher Johanna Rimpiläinen
A Treatment study protocol of the ALLTogether Consortium for children and young adults (0-45 years of age) with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The treatment protocol collects the experience of previously successful treatment of children and young adults, with ALL from a number of well-renowned study groups into a new platform protocol, which is both a comprehensive system for stratification and treatment of ALL in this age-group as well as the basis for several randomised trials included in the study-design.
R23012M MK-3475-365 (Keynote-365), main researcher Teemu Murtola
Phase Ib/II Trial of Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Combination Therapies in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) (KEYNOTE-365)
Keynote-365 clinicaltrials.gov
R23097M ARASTEP, main researcher Teemu Murtola
A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Study of Darolutamide Plus Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) Compared With Placebo Plus ADT in Patients With High-risk Biochemical Recurrence (BCR) of Prostate Cancer
R24034M, MK-5684-003 (OMAHA-1), main researcher Mikko Moisander
A Phase 3 Randomized, Open-label Study of MK-5684 Versus Alternative Abiraterone Acetate or Enzalutamide in Participants With Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC) Previously Treated With Next-generation Hormonal Agent (NHA) and Taxane-based Chemotherapy
R22107M GSK 213824 Galaxies-LUNG, main researcher Jarkko Ahvonen
A Phase 2, Randomized, Open-label, Platform Study Utilizing a Master Protocol to Evaluate Novel Immunotherapy Combinations in Participants with Previously Untreated, Locally Advanced/Metastatic, Programmed Death Ligand 1-Selected Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
GSK213824-GALAXIES-LUNG clinicaltrials.gov
R24066M V940-002, main researcher Jarkko Ahvonen
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo- and Active-Comparator-Controlled Clinical Study of Adjuvant V940 (mRNA-4157) Plus Pembrolizumab Versus Adjuvant Placebo Plus Pembrolizumab in Participants With Resected Stage II, IIIA, IIIB (N2) Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
R24043M MK-2870-005, main researcher Annika Auranen
A Phase 3, Randomized, Active-controlled, Open-label, Multicenter Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of MK-2870 Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Physician's Choice in Participants With Endometrial Cancer Who Have Received Prior Platinum-based Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy (MK-2870-005/ENGOT-en23/GOG-3095)
R24086M MK-2870-020, main researcher Synnöve Staff
A Phase 3 Randomized, Active-controlled, Open-label, Multicenter Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of MK-2870 Monotherapy Versus Treatment of Physician's Choice as Second-line Treatment for Participants With Recurrent or Metastatic Cervical Cancer (TroFuse-020/GOG-3101/ENGOT-cx20)
R23087M GSK219606 AZUR-2, main researcher Tapio Salminen
A Phase 3, Open-Label, Randomized Study of Perioperative Dostarlimab Monotherapy versus Standard of Care in Participants with Untreated T4N0 or Stage III dMMR/MSI-H Resectable Colon Cancer
R22065M BEXMAB, main researcher Johanna Rimpiläinen
Study to Assess Safety, Tolerability and Preliminary Efficacy of the CLEVER-1 Antibody Bexmarilimab in Combination with Azacitidine or Azacitidine/Venetoclax in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome or Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia or Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
R20119M Polar Bear, main researcher Marjukka Pollari
R-MINI-CHOP Versus R-MINI-CHP in Combination with Polatuzumab-vedotin, as Primary Treatment for Patients with Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, ≥80 Years, or Frail ≥75 Years - an Open Label Randomized Nordic Lymphoma Group Phase III Trial
R23024M INCMOR0208-305 firmMIND, main researcher Marjukka Pollari
A Phase 3, Single-Arm, Open-Label, Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Tafasitamab Plus Lenalidomide in Participants with Relapsed or Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
INCMOR208-305-firmMIND clinicaltrials.gov
R23070M MERLIN, main researcher Marjukka Pollari
Phase II Multicenter Clinical Trial: Mosunetuzumab for Early Relapse of Follicular Lymphoma in the Nordic
Countries
R24022M CA224-127-Relativity-127, main researcher Tanja Skyttä
A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-label, Study of Subcutaneous Nivolumab + Relatlimab Fixed-dose Combination Versus Intravenous Nivolumab + Relatlimab Fixed-dose Combination in Participants With Previously Untreated Metastatic or Unresectable Melanoma
R22077M DOVACC, main researcher Annika Auranen
A Randomized Clinical Trial Investigating Olaparib, Durvalumab (MEDI4736) and UV1 as Maintenance Therapy in BRCAwt Patients with Recurrent Ovarian Cancer
R23034M HERO, main researcher Annika Auranen
Characterization of High-Grade Ovarian Cancer Patients in Terms of Homologous Recombination Phenotype - A Prospective Observational Study (NSGO-CTU-HERO)
R24065M MagnetisMM-32, main researcher Marja Sankelo
A Phase 3, Open Label Study of Elranatamab Monotherapy Versus Elotuzumab, Pomalidomide, Dexamethasone (EPd) Or Pomalidomide, Bortezomib, Dexamethasone (PVd) Or Carfilzomib, Dexamethasone (Kd) In Participants With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Who Received Prior Anti-CD38 Directed Therapy
R21137M CBYL719C2303 EPIK-B5, main researcher Minna Tanner
A Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of alpelisib (BYL719) in combination with fulvestrant for men and postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation, who progressed on or after aromatase inhibitor and a CDK4/6 inhibitor.
CBYL719C2303-EPIK-B5 clinicaltrials.gov
R24016M WO44263-INAVO-122, main researcher Minna Tanner
A Phase III Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of
Inavolisib in Combination with Phesgo versus Plcabeo in Combination with Phesgo as Maintenance Therapy After First Line Induction Therapy in Participants with PIK3CA-Mutated HER2-Positive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer
WO44263-InAVO-122 clinicaltrials.gov
R24028M WO44977-REMERGE, main researcher Leena Tiainen
A Multi Cohort Translational Research Study to Investigate Mechanisms of Resistance to Breast Cancer Therapies
WO44977-REMERGE clinicaltrials.gov
R24051M CO44657-pionERA, main researcher Leena Tiainen
A Phase III, Randomized Open-Label Study Evaluating Efficacy and Safety of Giredestrant Compared with Fulvestrant, Both Combined with a CDK4/6 Inhibitor In Patienta with Estrogen Receptor-Positive, HER2 Negative Advanced Breast Cancer with Resistance to Prior Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy
CO44657-pionERA clinicaltrials.gov
R24075M MK-2870-012, main researcher Minna Tanner
A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-label, Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of Adjuvant MK-2870 in Combination with Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) Versus Treatment of Physician’s Choice (TPC) in Participants With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Who Received Neoadjuvant Therapy and Did Not Achieve a Pathological Complete Response (pCR) at Surgery
R18212M BAYER-16996, main researcher Minna Tanner
A Phase 4 Long-term Follow-up Study to Define the Safety Profile of Radium-223 Dichloride
BAYER-16996 clinicaltrials.gov
R20125M MK-3475-587 (KEYNOTE-587), main researcher Annika Auranen
A Multicenter, Open-label, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Long-term Safety and Efficacy in Participants Who Are Currently on Treatment or in Follow-up in Studies That Include Pembrolizumab
Keynote-587 clinicaltrials.gov
R21020M MOVES, main researcher Teemu Murtola
Measuring Oncological Value of Exercise and Statin (MOVES)
R22012M FINPROVE, main researcher Minna Tanner
The Finnish National Study to Facilitate Patient Access to Targeted Anti-Cancer Drugs to determine the Efficacy in Treatment of Advanced Cancer with a Known Molecular Profile
R23068M FORTITUDE-301, main researcher Minna Tanner
A Phase 1b/2, Multicenter, Open-label Basket Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Bemarituzumab Monotherapy in Solid Tumors With FGFR2b Overexpression (FORTITUDE-301)
AMG552-FORTITUDE-301 clinicaltrials.gov
R24019M DAMOCLES, main researcher Jenni Koskela
Monoclonal gammopathies of renal significance (MGRS) in Finland
Contact us
Marjo Koivisto, coordinating study nurse, tel. 044 472 8004
The examination nurses' reception facilities are located on the 2nd floor of the Radius building at Tays Central Hospital. The medical treatment rooms are at the oncology inpatient ward RS2.
Last modified 13.8.2025