Canadian experts tackle cancer’s core

At CHUQ – Hotel-Dieu de Quebec, Dr. Yves Fradet is working on research that could lead to a prostate cancer vaccine.

 On the other side of the country, the University of Victoria’s Dr. Frank van Veggel is researching new diagnostic strategies that use magnetic resonance imaging to detect metastasized prostate cancer cells, and Dr. Cheryl Helgason of the British Columbia Cancer Agency is working on research that could help scientists better understand the role of prostate cancer stem cells in the progression and spread of the disease.

Meanwhile, at the University of Calgary, Dr. Tarek Bismar is researching better predictors for aggressive prostate cancer so that one day — hopefully soon — men who have a less aggressive form of prostate cancer will not have to be subjected to aggressive treatments.

This and other important research like it funded by Prostate Cancer Canada (PCC), which allocates 80% of its mission funds to research, is part of an exciting momentum rising across the country and globally in the fight against prostate cancer.

It represents new hope for the one in six men who will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetimes because up until recently, prostate cancer research and treatments have lagged behind that of other cancers.

In fact, PCC estimates that the diagnostic and treatment options for the disease and level of knowledge are at the same stage today as breast cancer was 40 years ago. But finally, things are changing.

One of the most exciting recent changes to have taken place isn’t found in any one laboratory or research project. Instead, it is found in a new direction PCC embarked on two years ago.

That’s when the country’s leading prostate cancer organization decided to focus on championing prostate cancer research nationally — and internationally — by connecting researchers, patients and organizations to each other to more effectively leverage the collective knowledge and resources.

“A lot of catch-up is required in prostate cancer research, specifically in diagnosis and treatments,” says Susan Langlois, director, research programs, PCC.

“And, the way we see that happening is through national projects and partnering with international groups. What we’re doing now is trying to bring the researchers across the country to work on projects that have the greatest impact on men who are either at risk of prostate cancer or have been affected by prostate cancer.”

Among its many new initiatives to achieve this is the establishment of PCC’s Networks & Partnerships Committee (NPC), which is composed of leading international prostate cancer researchers and funders and which conducts needs assessments, identifies gaps and develops projects for potential partnerships.

It also facilitates the partnerships with other funding agencies to increase the overall pool of funds available to conduct larger prostate cancer research projects.

An example of such a project is the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC ) — a massive global effort to accelerate research into the causes and control of 50 different types of cancers.

PCC is heading the pan-Canadian prostate cancer genome project and has committed to invest up to $15-million over the next five years. Canadian researchers are also collaborating with funders and researchers in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Australia.

“If they can crack the code to prostate cancer and be able to use that to determine whether somebody has aggressive disease or is at risk of the disease, then a cure might be possible — even prevention. For us, this is the most exciting piece,” Ms. Langlois says.

Prostate Cancer Canada is committed to work in partnership with men affected by prostate cancer, as well as with the research and medical communities, to achieve best possible outcomes in prostate cancer awareness, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survival.

“As the only national foundation working with people affected by prostate cancer, we have an important role to play in bringing about improvements in the lives of these people. “ Ms. Langlois says.

“Research aims to benefit current and future generations of men affected by prostate cancer — and those near to them. In order to achieve this goal, PCC is seeking views of men affected by prostate cancer when determining areas for targeted research investment and when selecting projects for funding.”

PCC’s leadership role also includes organizing symposiums and meetings for researchers from across Canada to share their findings and collaborate.

For example, next February the organization will host the PCC Research Symposium, which will bring together the Canadian prostate cancer research and clinical community.

Members of the Prostate Cancer Canada Network (PCCN) will also participate in the meeting. The ability for these groups to work together will enhance the quantity and quality of prostate cancer research in Canada. “One of the primary goals of the February symposium is find ways to make available to Canadian men new and better technologies for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer,” she says.

“It is PCC’s hope that by directing research, rapid changes in medical practice will be introduced that will improve the quality of life of men affected by the disease and their families.”

Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/life/prostate/Canadian+experts+tackle+cancer+core/3551214/story.html#ixzz10DfJZb6M