Current priority research, modern methods

The research is aimed at studying the spatial cytoarchitectonics and molecular biological features of breast cancer, focusing on the role of stress-induced factors of the tumor microenvironment – matrixins and factors of their regulation in the progression of the tumor process. The main areas of work include:

• in silico analysis of public databases (proteome, transcriptome and epigenome studies using open databases and web resources – Gene Expression Omnibus, UALCAN, GEPIA v2.0, cBioPortal, ENCORI, TIMER v2.0, TNMPlot, KMPlotter, etc.)
• determination of the impact of exogenous chronic stress factors on the molecular biological characteristics of breast cancer cell lines of different degrees of malignancy in the in vitro system
• determination of the prognostic value of stress-induced factors of the tumor microenvironment in the ex vivo system.

Another area of the Department’s activity is the study of the parenchymal-stromal component and features of the prostate cancer microenvironment. Considerable attention is paid to the study of the features of the tumors’ collagenous skeleton and factors of its regulation, which defines the tumors metastatic potential and is involved in the immune response modulation.

Additional research areas:

• Study of cytomorphological and molecular biological effects of nanoparticles of different physical and chemical origin based on visualization of their distribution and assessment of their accumulation in normal and malignantly transformed cells
• Investigation of drug resistance mechanisms and development of algorithms for predicting the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in cancer patients
• Identification of tissue and circulating factors of the tumor microenvironment for individualization of treatment of patients with malignant

Modern methods:

Methods of cell culture, histochemical methods, immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, morphometric methods, biochemical and hematological blood analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, PCR, gel electrophoresis, bioinformatics and statistical methods.

Ongoing

1. Research project “Stress-induced factors of the tumor microenvironment as drivers of breast cancer progression risk” (0124U000078, 2024–2028).
2. Research project “Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructure in Europe” № 101103746 — CCI4EU — HORIZON-MISS-2022-CANCER-01 (Horizon Europe Grant Agreement No. 101103746, dated 24.04.2023), Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI), https://cci4eu.eu/ (2023–2026).
3. Research project “Development of a technology for the identification of stress-induced factors of initiation of metastatic bone lesions” (0125U000655, 2025–2026)
4. Research project “The role of meprins in modulating the stromal microenvironment of prostate cancer” (0125U002918, 2025–2026).

Completed

5. Research project “Features of expression and methylation status of genes of stromal microenvironment remodeling in breast cancer tissue” (0123U102991, 2023–2024)
6. Research project “Development and validation of a technology for comprehensive treatment of breast cancer in young patients” (0122U201203, 2022–2023)
7. Research project “Study of reactive microenvironment as a factor of prostate cancer progression” (0122U002081, 2022–2023)
8. Research project “Creation of panels of tumor-associated biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer progression” (0122U001976, 2022).
9. Research project “Role of bone remodeling markers in the formation of malignancy degree of the most common hormone-dependent neoplasms” (0118U005468, 2019–2023)
10. Research project “Verification of key pathomorphological features of tumor growth as innovative elements of artificial intelligence in optimizing breast cancer diagnostics technology” (0121U110569, 2021–2022)
11. Research project “Molecular-biological factors of malignant cell heterogeneity and variability of clinical course of hormone-dependent tumors” (0117U002034, 2017–2021)
12. Research project “Preclinical pharmacotoxicological studies of antitumor nanocomposite based on iron oxide and cisplatin” (state registration number 0119U103001, 2019–2020)
13. Research project “Development and implementation of a panel of predictive microRNAs for personalized design of neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer patients” (state registration number 0119U101242, 2019)
14. Research project “Study of processes of Feroplat nanocomposite influence on the structural-functional state of breast cancer cells” (0118U001910, 2018)
15. Research project “Experimental evaluation of the effectiveness and testing algorithm for biocompatibility of domestic calcium phosphate-based implant materials for restoration of musculoskeletal system function in malignant processes” (0117U001729, 2017–2021)
16. Research project “Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mechanisms of drug resistance formation in human prostate cancer cells” (0117U006124, 2017–2018)
17. Research project “Role of lactoferrin in initiation and course of the most common hormone-dependent malignant neoplasms”
18. Research project “Development and implementation of a prognostic panel of breast cancer biomarkers for personalized monitoring of tumor process progression” (0116U006053, 2016)
19. Research project “Features of Feroplat interaction with structural and functional components of sensitive and resistant tumor cells” (0115U001379, 2015–2019)
20. Research project “Determination of tumor-associated microRNAs as predictive extratumoral markers of breast cancer” (0115U001378, 2015–2019)
21. Research project “Role of metal-containing proteins in tumor growth and possibilities of their use as extratumoral markers of sensitivity to antitumor drugs” (0112U002197, 2013–2015).
22. Research project “Molecular epidemiology of metal-containing proteins in tumor-host interactions” (0112U002197, 2012–2016).

1. 11th Annual Beyond Sciences Initiative Remote Conference: Science and Society 2026. Virtual Event, Worldwide. 20–21 February 2026
2. The Second CCI4EU Capacity Building Conference “Accelerating Cancer Research and Innovation in Comprehensive Cancer Infrastructures”, Brussels, Belgium, 9-10 April 2025
3. International Scientific and Practical Conference «Youth Science for Peace and Development», Chernivtsi, Ukraine. 28–29 November, 2025
4. Rīga Stradiņš University Research Week 2025: Knowledge for Use in Practice. Riga, Latvia, 26–28 March 2025
5. Beyond Sciences Initiative 10th International Remote Conference: Science and Society 2025. Virtual Event, Worldwide. 21–22 February 2025
6. «Assessment of Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Covered in Experimental and Clinical Oncology Publications: Challenges and Opportunities». Kyiv, Ukraine. 3–4 October, 2024
7. 9th Annual International Remote Conference: Science and Society. Virtual Event, Worldwide. March 2-3rd and 23rd, 2024
8. IV International Scientific and Practical Internet Conference «Problems and achievements of modern biotechnology». Kharkiv, Ukraine. March 22, 2024
9. 1st International Scientific Conference for PhD Students and PostDoc Researchers «OncoPhD». Lublin, Poland. October 20-22, 2023
10. 16th Annual Meeting Of The Korean Society Of Medical Oncology & 2023 International Conference. Seoul, Korea & Online, September 7– 8, 2023
11. EACR-AstraZeneca Cancer Epigenetics. Virtual Event, Worldwide, December 5-6, 2023
12. ХIX International scientific conference for students and PhD students “Youth and progress of biology”. Lviv, Ukraine. April 26-28, 2023
13. Shevchenkivska vesna: Advancements in Life Science — XX International conference of students and young scientists. Kyiv, Ukraine. April 27-28, 2023
14. RSU research week: International Research Conference «Knowledge for Use in Practice». Rīga, Latvia. March 29–31, 2023
15. 8th Annual international remote conference: Science and Society. Worldwide: 25-26 February & 18 March 2023
16. Riga Stradiņš University International Student Conference in “Health and Social Sciences” 2022. Riga, Latvia, March, 24-25, 2022
17. Chance for Science Conference 2022: Conference for academics affected by the war in Ukraine, Leipzig, Germany (Worldwide). September 8-9, 2022
18. 7th Annual international remote conference: Science and Society. Worldwide: 26-27 February & 5 March 2022
19. EACR-Worldwide Cancer Research Meeting “The Structural Microenvironment: Breaking down the walls of cancer”. Worldwide. February 22 – 23, 2022
20. IV International Scientific Conference Microbiology and Immunology – the development outlook in the 21st century. Kyiv, Ukraine, September 22-23, 2022
21. XIV Congress of Oncologists and Radiologists of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine. September 30 — October 2, 2022
22. The 5th congress of the Serbian association for cancer research with international participation “Translational potential of cancer research in Serbia“ Virtual event, December 3, 2021
23. XVІ International scientific conference for students and PhD students dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the faculty of biology of Ivan Franko national university of Lviv and 90th anniversary from the birthday of prof. M.P. Derkach. Lviv, , Ukraine. April27-29, 2020
24. ESCI Virtual Meeting 2020: Covid19 Edition. September 20, 2020
25. II International conference Tumor and host: Novel aspects of old problem. Kyiv, Ukraine, November 21-22, 2019
26. 6th Ukrainian Congress for Cell Biology with international representation, Yaremche, Ukraine, 18-21 June 2019
27. Riga Stradins university international conference on medical and health care sciences «Knowledge for use in practice», Riga, Latvia, April 1-3, 2019.
28. 10th EFIS-EJI South Eastern European Immunology School (SEEIS2018) Yerevan, Armenia, October 19 – 22, 2018
29. 5th European Congress of Immunology. Amsterdam, Netherlands, September 2-5, 2018
30. 13th EFIS-EJI Tatra Immunology Conference » Molecular Determinants of T-Cell Immunity». Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia. June 9 — 13, 2018
31. International VACTRAIN/3-rd Swedish-Ukrainian conference on cancer diseases Stockholm, Sweden. January 16-17, 2017
32. International Scientific Conference “Normal and cancer stem cells: discovery, diagnosis and therapy”, Kyiv, Ukraine, October 5–6, 2017
33. 12th EFIS-EJI Tatra Immunology Conference. Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia. September 3-7, 2016
34. International Scientific Conference «Integrated clinical and pathogenetic approaches in diagnosis and therapy of cancer», Kyiv, Ukraine, June 13–15, 2016
35. XIII Congress of Oncologists and Radiologists of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine. May 26-28, 2016
36. 7th EFIS/EJI South East European Immunology School (SEEIS2015), Becici, Montenegro, 16 – 19 October, 2015

Monographs and chapters in monographs:

• Chekhun V., Zavelevich M., Philchenkov A., Lukianova N., Shlapatska L., Gluzman D. (2024). Chapter 5.18. Identification of leukemic stem cells: possible implication in targeted therapy of acute myeloid leukemia. Comprehensive Hematology and Stem Cell Research 2024, 344-353. (ISBN 978-0-443-15718-9) doi.org
• Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Yu., Borikun T.V., Bazas V.M., Yalovenko T.М., Shepelenko I.V., Zadvornyi T.V., Kliusov O.M., Dumanskii Y.V. Chapter 2. The expression profile of tissue and circulating miRNAs for optimization of neoadjuvant therapy of breast cancer patients. Horizons in Cancer Research 2021; 80: 63-112. (ISBN: 978-1-53619-563-7)
• Chekhun V. F., Lukianova N. Yu, Polishchuk L. Z., Nalieskina L. A., Zadvornyi T. V., Storchai D. M., Todor I. N., Sobchenko S. O., Demash D. V., Yalovenko T. M., Borikun T. V., Lozovska Yu. V., Vitruk Yu. V., Chepurnatyi M. V., Pikul M. V., Stakhovsky O. E., Voilenko O. A., Stakhovsky E. O. Chapter 3. The role of lactoferrin expression in initiation and progression of most common hormone-dependent cancers. Horizons in Cancer Research 2017, 66(3):51-85. (ISBN: 978-1-53611-011-1)
• Lukianova N.Yu., Zadvornyi T.V., Chekhun S.V., Bazas V.M., Kliusov O.M., Stakhovsky E.O., Polishchuk L.Z. Chapter 1. Tumor stem cells: clinical significance and perspectives of application for prognosis of the most common hormone-dependent malignancies. Ways and Prospects of Development of Experimental Oncology in Ukraine. Ed. Chekhun V.F. Kyiv: DIA, 2021: 91-100. ISBN 978-617-7785-41-4 (in ukrainian)
• Borikun T.V., Lukianova N.Yu., Zadvornyi T.V., Yalovenko T.M., Bazas V.M., Kliusov O.M., Chekhun V.F. Chapter 3. Tumor-associated and circulating microRNAs: prognostic and predictive significance in breast cancer. Ways and Prospects of Development of Experimental Oncology in Ukraine. Ed. Chekhun V.F. Kyiv: DIA, 2021: 161-172. ISBN 978-617-7785-41-4(in ukrainian)
• Lukianova N.Yu., Yalovenko T.M., Nalieskina L.A., Zadvornyi T.V., Kunska L.M., Kliusov O.M., Chekhun V.F. Chapter 3. Substantiation of the possibility of using some iron-containing proteins as prognostic and extratumoral markers in breast cancer patients. Ways and Prospects of Development of Experimental Oncology in Ukraine. Ed. Chekhun V.F. Kyiv: DIA, 2021: 182-196. ISBN 978-617-7785-41-4 (in ukrainian)
• Nalieskina L.A., Lukianova N.Yu., Borikun T.V., Zadvornyi T.V., Sobchenko S.O., Kunska L.M., Chekhun V.F. Chapter 3. Lactoferrin and breast cancer: experimental and clinical aspects. Ways and Prospects of Development of Experimental Oncology in Ukraine. Ed. Chekhun V.F. Kyiv: DIA, 2021: 205-225. ISBN 978-617-7785-41-4 (in ukrainian)

Articles:

• Chekhun V., Lukianova Y., Mushii O., Zadvornyi T., Pavlova A., Burda T., Bazas V., Shepelenko S., Lukianova N. Breast cancer microenvironment composition associated with high PD-L1 expression. BMC Cancer 2026; 26: 217. doi.org
• Zadvornyi T., Mushii O., Burda T., Pavlova A., Shevchuk A., Yushchenko L., Vitruk Iu., Lukianova, N. Features of the spatial organization and qualitative composition of the collagen matrix in prostate cancer. Journal of Molecular Histology 2026; 57: 55. doi.org
• Lukianova N., Burda T., Mushii O., Zadvornyi T., Pavlova A., Chekhun V. Integrated expression profile of the MMP–TIMP–miRNA axis in breast cancer cell lines of different molecular subtypes. Experimental Oncology 2025; 47(3): 310–320. doi.org
• Pavlova A., Mushii O., Bazas V., Karacharova I., Zadvornyi T., Lukianova N. Tumor-associated macrophages: relationship with clinical status of patients and molecular biological features of breast cancer. Experimental Oncology 2025; 47(2): 197-206. doi.org
• Chekhun V., Lukianova N., Kunska L., Naleskina L. Integrated manifestations of cellular stress as a trigger of tumor progression. Cytology and Genetics 2025; 59: 388–396. doi.org
• Lukianova N., Mushii O., Zadvornyi T., Chekhun V. Development of an algorithm for biomedical image analysis of the spatial organization of collagen in breast cancer tissue of patients with different clinical status. FEBS Open Bio 2024; 14: 675–686 doi.org
• Chekhun V., Borikun T., Zadvornyi T., Mushii O., Stakhovsky E., Vitruk Y., Lukianova N. Osteonectin (SPARC) prognostic value in prostate cancer. Pathology-Research and Practice 2024; 254: 155053. doi.org
• Borikun T., Mushii O., Pavlova A., Burda T., Zadvornyi T. Tumor microenvironment-associated miR-7-5p, miR-19a-3p, and miR-23b-3p expression in prostate cancer with different progression risks. Experimental Oncology 2023; 45(4): 432-442. doi.org
• Zadvornyi T., Lukianova N., Mushii O., Pavlova A., Voronina O., Chekhun V. Benign and malignant prostate neoplasms show different spatial organization of collagen. Croatian Medical Journal 2023; 64(6): 413-420. doi.org
• Lykhova O., Zavelevich M., Philchenkov A., Vidasov N., Kozak T., Lozovska Y., Andrusyshyna I., Anupam Bishayee, Borikun T, Lukianova N, Chekhun, V. (2023). Does insulin make breast cancer cells resistant to doxorubicin toxicity? Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Archives of Pharmacology, 396(11), 3111-3122.
• Chumachenko V., Virych P., Nie G., Virych P., Yeshchenko O., Khort P., Tkachenko A., Prokopiuk V., Lukianova N., Zadvornyi T., Rawiso M., Liyao Ding, Kutsevol N. Combined Dextran-Graft-Polyacrylamide/Zinc Oxide Nanocarrier for Effective Anticancer Therapy in vitro. International Journal of Nanomedicine 2023; 18: 4821–4838. doi.org
• Naleskina, L.A., Lukianova, N.Y., Zadvornyi, T.V., Kunska L.M., Mushii O.M., Chekhun V.F. Remodeling the architecture of collagen-containing connective tissue fibers of metastatic prostate Cancer. Cytology and Genetics 2023; 57: 406–412. doi.org
• Lukianova N., Zadvornyi T., Kashuba E., Borikun T., Mushii О., Chekhun V. Expression of markers of bone tissue remodeling in breast cancer and prostate cancer cells in vitro. Experimental Oncology 2023; 44(1): 39-46. doi.org
• Zadvornyi T., Lukianova N., Borikun T., Tymoshenko A., Mushii O., Voronina O., Vitruk I.; Stakhovskyi E., Chekhun V. Mast cells as a tumor microenvironment factor associated with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. Neoplasma 2022; 69(6): 490-1498. doi.org
• Zadvornyi T., Lukianova N., Borikun T., Gogol S., Virych P., Lykhova O., Chekhun, V. Expression of osteopontin and osteonectin in breast and prostate cancer cells with different sensitivity to doxorubicin. Experimental Oncology 2022; 44(2): 107-112. doi.org
• Lukianova N., Zadvornyi T., Kashuba E., Borikun T., Mushii О., Chekhun V. Expression of markers of bone tissue remodeling in breast cancer and prostate cancer cells in vitro. Experimental Oncology 2022; 44(1): 39-46. doi.org
• Kutsevol N., Kuziv Y., Bezugla T., Virych P., Marynin A., Borikun T., Lukianova N., Chekhun V. (2021). Application of new multicomponent nanosystems for overcoming doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer therapy. Applied Nanoscience 2022; 12: 427–437. doi.org
• Zadvornyi T.V., Lukianova N.Y., Borikun T.V., Vitruk Y.V., Stakhovsky E.O., Chekhun V.F. NANOG as prognostic factor of prostate cancer course. Experimental Oncology 2020; 42(2): 94-100. doi.org
• Lozovska Y.V., Lukianova N.Y., Todor І.М., Burlaka P., Ganusevych І.І., Chekhun, V.F., Andrusishуna І.М. (2020). Effect of metal ions on functioning of antioxidant system and enzymes of extracellular matrix in tumors differed in their doxorubicin sensitivity. Fiziologichnyi Zhurnal 2020; 66(4): 20-29. doi.org
• Chekhun, V., Borikun, T., Bazas, V., Andriiv, A., Klyusov, O., Yalovenko, T., & Lukianova, N. Association of circulating miR-21, -205, and -182 with response of luminal breast cancers to neoadjuvant FAC and AC treatment. Experimental Oncology, 42(3), 162–166. doi.org
• Zadvornyi T.V., Lukianova N.Y., Borikun T.V., Chekhun, V.F. Effects of exogenous lactoferrin on phenotypic profile and invasiveness of human prostate cancer cells (DU145 and LNCaP) in vitro. Experimental oncology 2018; 40(3): 184–189. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Yalovenko T.M., Todor I.M., Lukianova N.Y., Chekhun V.F. Hepcidin as a possible marker in determination of malignancy degree and sensitivity of breast cancer cells to cytostatic drugs. Experimental oncology 2016; 38(2): 84–88. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Chekhun VF, Lozovska YV, Naleskina LA, Borikun TV, Burlaka AP, Todor IN, Demash DV, Yalovenko TM, Zadvornyi TV, Pavlova AO, Storchay DM, Lukianova NY. Modifying effects of 5-azacytidine on metal-containing proteins profile in Guerin carcinoma with different sensitivity to cytostatics. Experimental oncology 2016; 38(4): 283-287. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Naleskina LA, Lukianova NY, Sobchenko SO, Storchai DM, Chekhun VF. Lactoferrin expression in breast cancer in relation to biologic properties of tumors and clinical features of disease. Experimental oncology 2016;38(3):181-186. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Yalovenko TM, Todor IM, Lukianova NY, Chekhun VF. Hepcidin as a possible marker in determination of malignancy degree and sensitivity of breast cancer cells to cytostatic drugs. Experimental oncology. 2016 Jun;38(2):84-88. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Chekhun VF, Borikun TV, Lukianova NY. Effect of 5-azacytidine on miRNA expression in human breast cancer cells with different sensitivity to cytostatics. Experimental oncology. 2016;38(1):26-30. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Selected guidelines and information leaflets on innovations in the healthcare Guidelines:

• MicroRNAs as Prognostic Markers of Breast Cancer in Young Patients. V.F. Chekhun, N.Y. Lukianova, O.V. Kashuba, T.V. Borikun, T.V. Zadvornyi, V.M. Bazas, I.V. Shepelenko, O.M. Martyniuk, O.M. Mushii, A.O. Pavlova, S.A. Lialkin, M.S. Krotevych. 2023. Kyiv. 22 p.
• Collagens as predictive markers of the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatment of young breast cancer patients. V.F. Chekhun, N.Yu. Lukianova, O.V. Kashuba, T.V. Borikun, T.V. Zadvornyi, V.M. Bazas, A.O. Pavlova, O.M. Mushii, I.V. Shepelenko, I.M. Todor, A.E. Kryzhanivska, I.B. Diakiv, A.V. Andriiv. 2023. Kyiv. 22 p.
• Matricellular proteins as markers of breast cancer aggressiveness. V.F. Chekhun, N.Y. Lukianova, I.M. Todor, L.A. Naleskina, I.V. Shepelenko, T.V. Borikun, T.V. Zadvornyi, V.M. Bazas, L.M. Kunska, A.O. Pavlova, O.M. Mushii. 2023. Kyiv. 17 p.
• Metal-containing proteins as markers for monitoring the course and effectiveness of chemotherapeutic treatment of breast cancer patients. V.F. Chekhun, N.Y. Lukyanova, O.M. Klyusov, S.O. Sobchenko, S.V. Chekhun, A.O. Pavlova, T.M. Yalovenko, I.I. Smolanka. 2016. Kyiv. 27 p.

Information Leaflets on Innovations in Healthcare:

• Method for predicting the course of the disease in prostate cancer patients. Lukyanova N.Yu., Chekhun V F., Burlaka A.P., Vovk A.V., Shepelenko I.V., Stakhovskyi E.O., Vitruk Yu.V. 2018. Kyiv.
• Method for predicting the course of basal molecular subtype of breast cancer. Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Yu., Naleskina L.A., Yalovenko T.M., Shepelenko I.V., Storchai D.M., Kliusov O.M. Kyiv. 2018.
• Method for non-invasive determination of hormone receptor status of tumors in breast cancer patients. Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Yu., Lozovska Yu.V., Storchai D.M., Kliusov O.M. Kyiv. 2018.
• Method for assessing the risk of recurrence in prostate cancer patients. Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Yu., Zadvornyi T.V., Lozovska Y.V., Shepelenko I.V., Vitruk Yu.V., Stakhovskyi E.O. Kyiv. 2018.
• Method of personalized prognosis of breast cancer aggressiveness. Lukianova N.Yu., Naleskina L.A., Storchai D.M., Kliusov O.M., Chekhun V.F. Kyiv. 2018.
• Method for determining the aggressiveness of luminal B and basal molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Romanchuk V.R., Kryzhanivska A.E., Andriiv A.V., Lukianova N.Yu., Chekhun V.F. Kyiv. 2017.
• Method of predicting the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer breast cancer patients of luminal B and basal subtypes. Romanchuk V.R., Kryzhanivska A.E., Andriiv A.V., Lukianova N.Yu., Chekhun V.F. Kyiv. 2017.
• Method for predicting sensitivity to anthracycline-containing chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Yu., Chekhun S.V, Borikun T.V., Yalovenko T.M., Bazas V.M., Kliusov O.M., Anikusko M.F., Sobchenko S.O. Kyiv. 2016.
• Method of non-invasive determination of basal molecular subtype of tumors in breast cancer patients. Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Yu., Demash D.V., Chekhun S.V., Borikun T.V., Yalovenko T.M., Bazas V.M., Klyusov O.M., Sobchenko S.O. Kyiv. 2016.
• Method for assessing the risk of recurrence in breast cancer patients. Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Y., Shepelenko I.V., Borikun T.V., Kliusov O.M., Anikusko M.F. Kyiv. 2016.
• Method for determining the degree of tumor malignancy in breast cancer patients. V.F. Chekhun, N.Yu. Lukianova, I.V. Shepelenko, S.V. Chekhun, T.V. Borikun, O.M. Kliusov, S.O. Sobchenko. Kyiv, 2016.

Utility models patents:

• Method for determining the prognosis of the clinical course of basal molecular subtype in breast cancer patents. Patent № 133945 UA. 25/04/2019. Inventors: Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Y., Naleskina L.A., Yalovenko T.M., Shepelenko I.V., Storchai D.M., Kunska L.M., Kliusov O.M.
• Method for non-invasive determination of hormone receptor status of tumors in breast cancer patients. Patent № 133946 UA. 25/04/2019. Inventors: Chekhun V.F., Lukianova N.Y., Lozovska Y.V., Storchai D.M., Shepelenko I.V., Kliusov O.M.
• Method for predicting the course of the disease in patients with triple negative breast cancer of stages I-II. Patent № 134904 UA. 10/06/2019. Inventors: Burlaka A.P., Vovk A.V., Lukianova N.Y., Kliusov O.M., Chekhun V.F.
• Method for obtaining zinc oxide nanoparticles in a polymer matrix for drug therapy of malignant tumors. Patent № 158345 UA. 06/09/2023. Inventors: Virych P.A., Kutsevol N.V., Pavlenko V.O., Chumachenko V.A., Yeshchenko O.A., Virych P.A., Lukianova N.Y., Chekhun V.F.

• Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
• National Cancer Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine
• Kyiv City Clinical Oncology Center, Kyiv, Ukraine.
• Kyiv Regional Oncology Dispensary, Kyiv, Ukraine
• Carpathian Clinical Oncology Center, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine

Personnel staff:

Chief researcher, 1 leading researchers, 5 senior researchers, 2 junior researchers, 1 leading engineer, 7 engineers and technicians

Training of scientific personnel:

Postgraduate education:
BURDA Tetiana (2024-2028, specialty 091 ‘Biology and Biochemistry’)
PAVLOVA Anna (2022-2026, specialty 091 ‘Biology’)

Theses:
VIRYCH Petro
Thesis “Biological effects and mechanisms of action of dextran-co-polyacrylamide nanoparticles of zinc oxide on malignantly transformed and normal cells (experimental study)” for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology, specialty 14.01.07 – Oncology. The thesis defense took place on September 24, 2024 at the meeting of the Specialized Academic Council DF 26.155.008 at the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

ZADVORNYI Taras
Thesis “Molecular-biological features associated with the degree of malignancy of prostate cancer” for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology, specialty 14.01.07 – Oncology. The thesis defense took place on December 28, 2020, at the meeting of the Specialized Academic Council D 26.155.01 of the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

YALOVENKO Tetiana
Thesis: “The role of hepcidin in the formation of drug resistance to doxorubicin” for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology, specialty 14.01.07 – Oncology. The thesis defense took place on June 21, 2017, at the meeting of the Specialized Academic Council D 26.155.01 of the R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.

Graduate and term papers:

SOLOMAKHA Anastasiia (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s qualification paper “Osteopontin as a factor in modulating the microenvironment of prostate cancer at high risk of progression”
Supervisor from the institution LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

BURDA Tetiana (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “The role of tumor-associated fibroblasts in prostate cancer progression”. Supervisor from the institution ZADVORNYI Taras, PhD (Biol)
Bachelor’s thesis on “Features of matrix metalloproteinase-8 expression in tumor tissue of breast cancer patients”. Supervisor from the institution ZADVORNYI Taras, PhD (Biol)

SHEVCHUK Anastasiia (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Bachelor’s thesis on “Features of spatial organization of the collagen matrix in benign and malignant human prostate tumors”. Supervisor from the institution ZADVORNYI Taras, PhD (Biol)

BORONYLO Tetiana (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Bachelor’s thesis on “The effect of hydrocortisone on adhesive properties of breast cancer cells of different malignancy grades”. Supervisor from the institution ZADVORNYI Taras, PhD (Biol)

CHERVATENKO Aliona (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Investigation of adhesive properties and proliferative activity of hormone-dependent tumors of the breast and prostate”. Supervisor from the institution LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., DrSci (Biol)

SHABAN Anastasiia (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Prognostic significance of osteopontin in breast cancer patients”. Supervisor from the institution: ZADVORNYI Taras, PhD (Biol)

MUSHII Oleksandr (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Changes in expression of bone remodeling markers in human prostate cancer cell lines under VEGF influence”. Supervisor from the institution LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)
Bachelor’s thesis on “Features of bone remodeling protein expression in human prostate cancer cell lines”. Supervisor from the institution LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

VOROBEI Pavlo (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy)
Master’s thesis on “Lactoferrin as a prognostic marker of prostate cancer progression”. Supervisor from the institution LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

KOTSIUBA Olha (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Prognostic significance of C-reactive protein in breast cancer patients”. Supervisor from the institution: LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

IVAKHNO Vladyslava (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Modulatory effect of doxorubicin on iron metabolism at tumor and organism levels in animals with Walker-256 carcinosarcoma”. Supervisor from the institution: LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

DYADIUK Kateryna (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Expression of CD44 and Ki-67 during tumor growth progression in patients with prostate and breast cancer”. Supervisor from the institution: LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)
Bachelor’s thesis on “Comparative analysis of CD44 expression in malignant breast and prostate tumor cells”. Supervisor from the institution: LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., DrSci (Biol)

KOSIK Tetiana (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Bachelor’s thesis on “The role of the adhesion molecule CD44 in prostate cancer development”. Supervisor from the institution: LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

MYAKUSHKO Olha (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)
Master’s thesis on “Features of the effect of exogenous lactoferrin on the molecular profile of human prostate cancer cell lines”. Supervisor from the institution: LUKIANOVA Nataliia, Prof., Dr Sci (Biol)

Continuing education (fellowship):

LUKIANOVA Nataliia
2025 – Course “Quality Management in Higher Medical Education” aimed at improving knowledge in the methodology of teaching “Oncology,” Educational and Scientific Institute of Postgraduate Education, Donetsk National Medical University, Lyman, Ukraine.
2018 — Specialization in ‘Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics’ at the Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics of the Shupyk National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education. Certificate of advanced training No. 5991, dated June 25, 2018.
2015 – The Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course (NIH online training)

ZADVORNYI Taras
2025 – Course “Quality Management in Higher Medical Education” aimed at improving knowledge in the methodology of teaching “Oncology,” Educational and Scientific Institute of Postgraduate Education, Donetsk National Medical University, Lyman, Ukraine.
2025 – The SIICA Virtual School of Immunology 2025
2024 – 1st Immuno-Oncology SPO-SPI School online
2024 – Digital Pathology Certificate Course (The National Society for Histotechnology of USA and the Digital Pathology Association of USA; online course). 03-24/03/2024. Certificate No. 74093859.
2021 – Cancer Core Europe (CCE) Virtual Summer School in Translational Cancer Research 2021
2017 – VACTRAIN Training course «Dendrimers & small molecules applications» Department of General Biophysics, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
2015 – The Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course (NIH online training)
2015 – 7th EFIS/EJI South East European Immunology School, Becici, Montenegro

PAVLOVA Anna
2024 – 1st Immuno-Oncology SPO-SPI School online

School of Oncology online course were attended by department employees

(LUKIANOVA Nataliia, ZADVORNYI Taras, PAVLOVA Anna, BURDA Tetiana):

• Clinical trials and clinical research (15 October 2024);
• Cost of health care and drugs (25 February 2025);
• Patient empowerment and patient-centred care (15 March 2025);
• Data Sharing and Exchange (15 April 2025); Early Cancer Detection, Screening, and Prevention (4 June 2025);
• Patient Centered Cancer Outcome Research (20 July and 20 September 2025);
• Developing research skills for young researchers (31 July and 25 September 2025);
• How to optimize molecular diagnostics in practice? (4 November 2025).

Awards:

• LUKIANOVA Nataliia:
  • 2018 – Award ‘For scientific achievements’
  • 2017 – Award ‘Inventor of the Year of the NAS of Ukraine’
  • 2015 – Laureate of the RE Kavetsky Prize of the NAS of Ukraine
  • 2013 – Award of the NAS of Ukraine ‘For professional achievements’
  • 2010 – Honorary Diploma of the Presidium of the NAS of Ukraine
  • 2009-2010 – Scholar of the Ukrainian President’s Scholarship for Young Scientists
  • 2007-2009 – Fellow of the World Laboratory
• ZADVORNYI Taras:
  • 2025 – 1st place in the Competition of scientific images from European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI) Bio Art Award
  • 2025 – 1st place for the best oral report at the V International Scientific Conference “Microbiology and Immunology– the development outlook in the XXI Century” (April 29-30, 2025, Kyiv, Ukraine)
  • 2024 – ‘Danubius Young Scientist Award’ from the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Republic of Austria and the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe 2024
  • 2024 – Top Presentation Award (Poster) for presenting at the Beyond Sciences Initiative 9th International Remote Conference: Science & Society, 3-4/03/2024
  • 2024 – 3rd place in the Competition of scientific images from European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI) Bio Art Award
  • 2023 – EACR Researcher Development Grant
  • 2023 – 3rd place in the competition of scientific images from European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI) Bio Art Award
  • 2023 – James R Carlyle Top Presenter Award for presenting at the Beyond Sciences Initiative 8th International Remote Conference, February 25-26th, 2023
  • 2022 – Wendy Havran Poster Award for presenting at the Beyond Sciences Initiative 7th International Remote Conference: Science & Society, February 26th- March 5th, 2022
  • 2022 – 3rd place in the Competition of scientific images from European Society for Clinical Investigation (ESCI)
  • Travel Grants to participate in international forums abroad: ESCI (2022), EACR (2022), EFIS (2015, 2016, 2018), ACTERIA (2018)
• PAVLOVA Anna: 2025 — 3rd place in the Best Poster Presentation Award nomination (Postgraduate category) at the V International Scientific Conference “Microbiology and Immunology– the development outlook in the XXI Century” (April 29-30, 2025, Kyiv, Ukraine)
• MUSHII Oleksandr: 2023 – 2nd place for oral presentation at 1st International Scientific Conference for PhD Students and PostDoc Researchers ‘OncoPhD’, 20-22/10/2023, Lublin, Poland.
• BURDA Tetiana:
  • 2025 – 2nd place in the Best Poster Presentation Award nomination (Postgraduate category) at the V International Scientific Conference “Microbiology and Immunology– the development outlook in the XXI Century” (April 29-30, 2025, Kyiv, Ukraine)
  • 2023 – 2nd place for oral presentation at Shevchenkivska Vesna: Advancements in Life Science – XX International Conference of Students and Young Scientists, 27-28/04/2023, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Scholarships for young researchers:

• BURDA Tetiana: Scholar of the NAS of Ukraine (2025-2027)
• MUSHII Oleksandr: Scholar of the NAS of Ukraine (2023-2025)
• VIRYCH Petro: Scholar of the Ukrainian President’s Scholarship for Young Scientists (2022-2024)
• ZADVORNYI Taras: Scholar of the Ukrainian President’s Scholarship for Young Scientists (2022-2024); Scholar of the NAS of Ukraine (2017-2018 and 2022-2024)
• YALOVENKO Tetiana: Scholar of the Ukrainian President’s Scholarship for Young Scientists (2018-2020) and Scholar of the NAS of Ukraine (2016–2018)