Pia Österlund

Pia Österlund’s expertise includes, among other things, the research and development of pharmacotherapy and the associated difficulties and potentials, especially in GI tract cancers, such as colorectal, oesophageal, stomach, pancreatic and liver cancers.

Prior to completing her doctoral thesis in 2004, Pia Österlund worked in the research group of Professor Inkeri Elomaa and Professor Heikki Joensuu at the Cancer Clinic of the Helsinki University Central Hospital. In particular, she researched how to improve the tolerability and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy by developing dosing. She has also innovatively studied the mechanisms of adverse effects and how adverse effects could be reduced. Especially in the area of intestinal adverse effects, the research is intensive. Diet affects the adverse effects through, for example, a transient mechanism of lactose intolerance caused by pharmacotherapy.

Österlund ended up working in oncology due to her partner’s work in England: the only available job was in oncology, which became her life’s work.

Pia Österlund qualified as a specialist at the Helsinki University Central Hospital’s Cancer Clinic in 2004 and also started her clinical research career there. She has worked at Docrates since 2016.

Österlund has gained experience in the pharmaceutical industry as an expert physician at several companies, such as Merck, Roche, Amgen, Sanofi, Zeneca, Baxter, Bayer, Nordic Drugs, etc.

In Österlund’s opinion, research into new medicines and treatments is particularly important. The most significant trials in which Österlund has been involved are:

• the large Finnish RAXO trial (intervention study of metastatic colorectal cancer),
• the AXOAXI trial (drug substitution trial for metastatic colorectal cancer),
• the LIPSYT trial (development of adjuvant therapy for colorectal cancer),
• the MEPSYT trial (development of treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer)
• the FODMAP nutrition trial (a combination of preclinical and clinical research).

Pia Österlund has acted as Finland’s principal investigator in several international multicentre trials. Cooperation with the Nordic Biomoduleringsklubben has brought many fruitful trials to Finland through Pia Österlund’s activity. Pia Österlund wants Docrates Cancer Center to be both a successful research centre, especially in early-phase clinical trials, and a trusted and sought-after partner.

However, Österlund’s most important work is in patient encounters. For her, the most rewarding moment is when the patient feels that they have been helped. Sometimes this means being cured, but an improvement in symptoms or quality of life are also significant successes. Advances in research and cancer treatment also offer hope. Österlund is particularly moved by thanks given by the patient’s loved ones.

Her greatest source of strength in her work, which is sometimes very tough, is her own family – she has four children. As a counterbalance to her work, Österlund relaxes by doing horse riding and working on her cottage construction project.

Pia Österlund works as part of a multidisciplinary group, and dialogue with other specialists allows her to tailor the treatment to each patient individually. Through consultations, therapies can be combined in a more innovative way so that the treatment is more effective and as well-tolerated as possible.

In addition to daily treatment and research activities, Österlund gives plenty of presentations and lectures in Finland and abroad and writes articles.