Latest Research

In this project, Dr Michael Pollak and his team will evaluate a novel approach to the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer, a disease where current treatment options are limited. They will evaluate a new drug candidate that they expect will selectively block the synthesis of particular proteins that are required by cancer cells to behave aggressively. This approach has not previously been evaluated in pancreatic cancer in the lab, so they have established a collaboration that will allow them to test the drug candidate in a mouse model that closely resembles the human disease. They will gain insight into this therapy not only by monitoring tumour growth rates, but also the synthesis of the proteins that they expect will be influenced by the drug.

Funded by: CIHR, CCS & CCPCS

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This project is focused on identifying which markers pancreatic cancer cells are using to trick the NK (natural killer white blood cells which can fight cancer) cells and then using that information to choose NK cells populations that will not be shutdown by the cancer cells. If we can establish a working model of NK cell driven tumour death by identifying these markers in patients, we can better understand how NK cells can be used to target tumours. With this information, future studies can look at creating treatment plans that are focused on the needs of each patient and can target that patient’s specific tumour profile.

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Funded by: BHRI & CCPCS

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This latest publication follows work published in Cell Reports, where the authors demonstrated that dying cells release compounds that slow the generation of immune responses, which could potentially be broadly applicable to disease, including cancer and pre-cancerous conditions, where immunosurveillance (activity of the immune system) is key to controlling cancer development and the rate of its growth.

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The above publication describes how to isolate the factors released from dying cells; in publishing it, the authors hope to mobilize many research teams to test the impact of dying cells in their model systems, to inform methods to control and direct immune responsiveness, including in patients with cancer.

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Leah MacLean and Emily Carter are current trainees in the Cancer Research Training Program of the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, with funds provided by the Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation (DMRF)’s Crease Endowment for Cancer Research to Emily. Sarah Nersesian and Adam Nelson are CRTP Alumni. Adam was supported by Craig’s Cause Pancreatic Cancer Society.

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Dr. Jeanette Boudreau is a BHCRI Senior Scientist.

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