Dr. Aaron Schimmer takes the helm at Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) with a wealth of scientific expertise, aiming to accelerate cancer research in Ontario. With his appointment, OICR is poised to deliver life-changing solutions to the biggest challenges in cancer.
Four new OICR-funded studies using CATALYST will advance cancer insights by reanalyzing existing patient samples and data. The initiatives aim to improve cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment by building on previous research.
Four Ontario-based research teams are receiving funding to develop next-generation cancer therapies with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. The projects focus on breast and ovarian cancers, a hard-to-treat form of leukemia, and a 'master regulator' protein involved in many different cancers.
The Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network has created a comprehensive provincial database to support research on cancers passed down through genetics. Ontarians at risk of hereditary cancers can now register for access to clinical trials, advocacy groups, and other resources.
The Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research are partnering to improve cancer research with Indigenous communities. The partnership aims to address unique cancer-related priorities of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis populations by supporting training and advancement of Indigenous researchers....
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) has launched a yearlong campaign showcasing the personal stories of cancer patients and researchers. The campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the community's achievements in cancer research. OICR brings together scientists, clinicians, and everyday Ontarians to solve cancer together.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has announced support for five research teams developing new cancer drugs with improved efficacy and reduced side effects. The funded projects will focus on harnessing new insights about cancer biology to stop cancer from spreading and overcome treatment resistance.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research is providing nearly $6 million to eight research teams across Ontario, supporting studies that aim to diagnose and treat cancers more effectively. The Clinical Translational Pathway program will advance new discoveries and bring them to the healthcare system.
Researchers link tobacco smoking to 'stop-gain mutations' that disable tumor-suppressing proteins, allowing abnormal cells to grow unchecked. Smoking's impact on DNA is linked to increased stop-gain mutations, complicating cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) has awarded six research teams with two-year funding to pursue innovative cancer treatments and technologies. The projects focus on personalized medicine, accessible genetic testing, and improving patient engagement.
Researchers identified 166 prognostic biomarkers from long non-coding RNAs, with one biomarker, HOXA10-AS, showing high effectiveness in categorizing gliomas as low- or high-risk. The study provides potential therapeutic targets and insights into cancer biology.
A recent study has uncovered the evolutionary forces at play in the aging of the blood system and identified individuals at increased risk of blood cancer. The research provides a robust indicator for classifying patients with ARCH mutations, allowing for more frequent screening and early treatment.
A Phase III clinical trial has shown that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) with targeted biopsies can detect clinically significant prostate cancer more accurately and reduce the need for invasive procedures. The study found that MRI-TBx can help avoid unnecessary treatments and improve patient outcomes.
The Pan-Cancer Project has created the most comprehensive map of cancer genomes to date, improving our understanding of cancer and its diagnosis. Researchers have identified key regions controlling gene expression and discovered a 'carbon dating' method to pinpoint mutations in tumors years before they appear.
A team of researchers has identified novel mechanisms of disease progression in the non-coding genome that could lead to better diagnostic tests and precision therapies. The study found evidence of new molecular mechanisms that may cause cancer and give rise to more-aggressive tumours.
Researchers identified five distinct subtypes of advanced pancreatic cancer with unique molecular properties that can be targeted with novel treatments. The study's findings may lead to improved clinical outcomes and personalized treatment decisions for patients with the deadly disease.
A novel cancer-driving mutation discovered in the human genome's non-coding regions can drive multiple types of cancer, including brain, liver and blood cancers. The mutation could be used to develop novel treatments for patients with these difficult-to-treat diseases.
A recent study analyzed over 8,000 human tumors and discovered common molecular hallmarks of low oxygen levels, which can predict cancer aggressiveness and inform treatment decisions. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between hypoxia, genetic changes, and tumor evolution.
Researchers analyzed 293 localized prostate cancer tumors and found that those with multiple types of cancer cells were the most aggressive. The study's findings can help determine the best approach for each individual patient, including sparing patients from unnecessary treatment.
A large-scale study analyzing over 1.6 million data points found that environmental exposures, such as air pollution, have a greater impact on gene expression related to respiratory diseases than genetic ancestry. The research used big data to uncover the environmental factors behind diseases and inform strategies for prevention.
The Ontario Institute for Cancer Research has launched the Cancer Therapeutics Innovation Pipeline to translate new discoveries into cancer therapies. The pipeline selected 10 projects for funding and will provide guidance from industry and academia experts.
Researchers have developed a novel DNA barcode technology to improve the sensitivity of genomic sequencing. SiMSen-Seq, a technique that reduces error rates to 1 in 10,000, enables earlier detection of cancer recurrence and potential relapses.
Researchers discovered that pancreatic cancer develops rapidly through a 'big bang' process, where key alterations occur simultaneously. This finding provides new insights into the disease's aggressiveness and may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The Reactome project has released its 10,000th human protein, marking a significant milestone in its annotation and expansion. This achievement enables researchers to better understand genomic variation leading to diseases like cancer and develop more effective treatments.
Researchers at Ontario Institute for Cancer Research created protein signatures to accurately diagnose prostate cancer and distinguish between aggressive and non-aggressive disease. The findings could lead to a non-invasive 'liquid biopsy' that provides faster, cheaper, and easier detection of prostate cancer.
A new Phase III clinical trial will evaluate if magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can replace the current standard of care for diagnosing prostate cancer. The PRECISE trial aims to determine whether MRI imaging can spare some men from undergoing biopsies, reducing potential side effects.
The International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) has launched ICGCmed, a platform that links genomic data with clinical information to guide personalized cancer treatment. The initiative aims to accelerate the movement of genomic discoveries into the clinic.
A study identified significant differences in cancer genome sequencing procedures and quality among research institutions, leading to inconsistencies in detected mutations. A reference mutation dataset has been established to improve procedures for identifying true somatic mutations in cancer genomes.
The establishment of a global genomic data commons in the cloud would increase access to valuable genetic data, reduce costs, and accelerate cancer research. This initiative aims to provide secure and authorized access to large-scale genomic datasets.
Scientists in Canada and UK successfully sequenced and assembled de novo the full genome of E. coli using Oxford Nanopore's MinION device, providing proof of concept for the technology and its potential to sequence genomes in complex organisms like humans.
A global challenge has led to the development of a new benchmark for analyzing cancer genomes, with ensemble algorithms demonstrating superior accuracy. The study highlights the importance of combining multiple approaches and optimizing parameters to improve mutation detection accuracy.