Frits Alan Thorsen

Frits Alan Thorsen is a Professor and Platform Leader of the Molecular Imaging Center at the Department of Biomedicine, University of Bergen (UiB). His research focuses on brain metastases, translational cancer research, and molecular imaging, with an emphasis on developing animal models, studying the blood-brain barrier, and understanding exosome-mediated cancer spread.

His research interests include:

• Brain metastasis mechanisms
• Drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier
• Repurposing drugs for cancer therapy
• Translational cancer and vascular research
• Multimodal imaging (MRI, PET)

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend in targeting melanoma and glioblastoma brain metastases using repurposed drugs (e.g., trifluoperazine, clozapine), nanoparticle-based delivery systems, and molecular interventions targeting signaling pathways (PI3K, STAT3, Notch) and cell death mechanisms (ferroptosis, autophagy). His work integrates advanced imaging techniques to monitor treatment response and tumor permeability.

Scientific awards and honors include:

• Honorary Professorship from China
• Receipt of research funding from Chinese institutions

He actively supervises students and has advised numerous master's theses on topics related to melanoma, glioblastoma, and drug testing. His research is supported by ongoing grants and involves collaborations with institutions in China and Luxembourg. He leads the Molecular Imaging Center and the Brain Metastases Research Group, focusing on preclinical models and therapeutic development.

He has contributed to editorials and reviews on brain metastasis and immune response, and his work has been published in journals such as Frontiers in Oncology, Neuro-Oncology, and Journal of Controlled Release.