Today, the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced that the Government of Canada and partners are investing over $41 million in groundbreaking cancer prevention research. This funding will support teams that will work over the next five years to develop and share new approaches that support cancer prevention, reduce cancer risk, and improve early detection for some of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Canada and the world.
We are proud to congratulate the teams with lead investigators from the BC Cancer Research Institute:
Dr. Isabella Tai, senior scientist, BC Cancer Research Institute, received $2 million over 5 years for the project “Bridging gastric cancer biology to prevent progression of pre-cancerous gastric lesions.”
In this project, the team will assemble tissue samples of normal stomach, premalignant lesions, and the immune cells surrounding them from the same patient to find the biological processes and proteins that are responsible for making premalignant cells become malignant in the stomach. The anticipated outcomes of this project are a clearer understanding of how the different types of cells in the stomach interact during the development of stomach cancer, and how we can prevent premalignant lesions in the stomach from becoming cancerous. For the patient, this would mean that doctors would actively treat pre-malignant lesions to prevent cancer from developing rather than treating the cancer itself.
Dr. Rachel Murphy, senior scientist, BCCRI, received $2 million over 5 years for the project “Ultra-processed foods and cancer: advancing evidence on the biological mechanisms linking the gut microbiome, ultra-processed foods and colorectal cancer (UPFront).”
A number of studies suggest that people who eat more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have a higher risk of cancer, including colorectal cancer, but it is unclear whether the risks are due to added ingredients (additives), nutrients (high fat, salt and sugar) or both. The reasons why UPFs increase colorectal cancer are not well understood but may be due to changes in the type and number of bacteria in the gut that change biological pathways leading to cancer. In this study, Dr. Murphy and team will test the impact of UPFs with or without additives and with or without high fat, salt and sugar on the gut microbiome and markers of metabolism. This study spans cells to society to provide new evidence on the negative health impacts of UPFs.
Dr. David Huntsman, distinguished scientist, BCCRI; Dr. Gillian Hanley, associate scientist, BCCRI; and Dr. Wendy Norman, investigator, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute and Women’s Health Research Institute, received $2 million over 5 years for the BEACON program (Biologic basis of contracEptive choice Associated ovarian Cancer risk: from populations through cells to action).
High-grade serous cancer (HGSC) is the most common and deadliest form of ovarian cancer. As there is no effective way to screen for it, finding ways to prevent it is especially important. Birth control pills (combined oral contraceptives or COCs) cut the risk of HGSC in half when used for five or more years but contraceptive use is rapidly shifting: fewer people are using COCs, and more are choosing hormonal intra-uterine devices (IUDs). The team will study how COCs, IUDs, and newer estrogen-free pills (like drospirenone) influence cell growth, DNA damage, and inflammation. They will also use large-scale population data to model how changing contraceptive trends may affect ovarian cancer rates in the future. By uncovering how certain contraceptives may help prevent ovarian cancer, and working with end knowledge users and national partners like the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights, BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, Canadian Cancer Society, Ovarian Cancer Canada and Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada, BEACON aims to support the development of tools and information that can shape future contraception options that also reduce cancer risk.
Read more on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative blog and tune in to the GOSH podcast, where the Principal Investigators share their vision and the anticipated impact of the BEACON program.
Dr. Gina Ogilvie, affiliate scientist, BCCRI and senior scientist, BC Centre for Disease Control, received $2 million over 5 years for the project “Subsequent to LEEP Evaluation of Disease Recurrence – Systemic and Comprehensive Pan-optic Exploration (SLEEPER-SCOPE 360) – A Comprehensive Exploration of post-LEEP HPV Infection.”
When human papillomavirus (HPV) causes significant changes in cervical cells, treatment is needed to prevent cancer from developing. In Canada, the standard treatment is the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), which removes abnormal cells from the cervix. For most patients, HPV and abnormal cells do not return after LEEP. However, some patients experience a recurrence, meaning they may need further testing. This study will recruit patients undergoing LEEP and collect samples during their follow-up visits to analyze factors such as the role of bacteria and other microorganisms in the genital tract, the chemicals they produce (metabolites), local immune responses, or changes in HPV’s genetic makeup and their impact on HPV and cervical precancer recurrence.