News
An optimized tool for the development of novel therapies for treatment-resistant prostate cancer
The development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant prostate cancer relies on disease models that accurately mimic the progression of human disease. When transferred into mice, a particular cell line does just that, allowing researchers to test the efficacy of potential drugs. But studies have shown that the cell line suffers from a lack of reproducibility and that an improved model of treatment-resistant prostate cancer is needed.
POG researchers uncover potential biomarkers for the treatment of advanced stage breast and colorectal cancer
Cancer is a disease of the genome, and research has shown that the genomic alterations in a tumour influence treatment response and failure. For advanced-stage breast and colorectal cancer, tumour sequencing has now uncovered key alterations that can guide clinicians in determining the best course of treatment for their patients.
Genomics study uncovers a novel feature of mantle cell lymphoma biology
In a new study published in the journal Blood, led by GSC Senior Scientist Dr. Ryan Morin, researchers used exome, genome and transcriptome sequencing to characterize MCL tumours and identified a novel feature of MCL biology.
A bioinformatics method may help uncover link between immune system variability and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility
The striking variability in disease severity in people infected with SARS-CoV-2 has been attributed to several host factors, including age, pre-existing health conditions and differences in host genetics and immune responses. In a study published in the journal Bioinformatics, Dr. Inanc Birol and René Warren demonstrated the technical feasibility and utility of the bioinformatics tool, HLAminer, to investigate the role of host immune system variability in COVID-19 disease susceptibility.
New tool enables researchers to assemble transcript isoforms from single cells
The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing technologies has provided unprecedented opportunities for the analysis of transcriptomes at single-cell resolution, allowing researchers to explore cell-to-cell variability. Now, researchers have developed a tool for the analysis and identification of RNA isoforms from single-cell RNA sequencing data.
Cancer drug synergizes with radiation therapy in treatment-resistant prostate cancer
In a new study published in the journal Cancers, led by GSC Distinguished Scientist Dr. Marianne Sadar, researchers have demonstrated a potential synergistic treatment strategy for resistant cases of prostate cancer.
An in-depth analysis of cervical cancers in Ugandan women
Cervical cancer disproportionately affects women in sub-Saharan Africa where it is the most common cancer-related mortality and has disease rates higher than any other region in the world (1). Yet studies of the disease have predominantly focused on non-African populations.
An international team of researchers, in work led by Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre (GSC) at BC Cancer, have now published an analysis of the genomic characteristics of cervical cancers in Ugandan women.
A framework for the management of inherited genetic variation impacting cancer patients and their families
Cancer is a disease of the genome. Using data from next-generation DNA sequencing technology, genome scientists and oncologists can work together to better inform an approach to individual patient treatment planning that is more targeted and personalized than ever before. But, in the process, they can also uncover information about a patient, such as their family’s susceptibility to hereditary forms of cancer and other diseases. What should scientists and clinicians do with all of this information? A new clinical framework attempts to address this increasingly common conundrum.
Cell recycling mechanism may inform breast cancer patient prognosis
In a new study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, led by GSC Distinguished Scientist Dr. Sharon Gorski, researchers revealed that three key autophagy molecules—ATG4B, LC3B and GABARAP—may be useful together to determine prognosis for breast cancer patients.