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BC Cancer Agency Researchers Co-Lead $60 Million National Initiative for Innovative Cancer Treatments

December 15, 2014

Found in News

VANCOUVER – BC Cancer Agency researchers will play a key role in the first Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) devoted to cancer research, announced today with a $25 million commitment from the Government of Canada and an additional $35 million from partners across the country.

The NCE, called BioCanRX, will focus on the development of new biotherapeutics – therapies derived from biological agents – which is one of the most promising areas of research in oncology. The national team of leading scientists will zero-in on three specific areas of biotherapeutic development: oncolytic viruses, immune cells and synthetic antibodies.

Dr. Brad Nelson, Director of the BC Cancer Agency’s Deeley Research Centre is co-lead of the NCE’s cell therapy program. “The NCE and our B.C. funding partners will allow for major advancements in cancer care. With Canada’s major research centres working collaboratively on the three hottest areas of oncology, we’ll be able to translate today’s most innovative and promising treatments from the lab to the clinic,” said Dr. Brad Nelson.

As co-lead of the cell therapy program, Dr. Nelson will advance his cutting-edge investigation into adoptive T cell therapy – a personalized treatment that enables a patient’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Support through the NCE will enable a series of adoptive T cell therapy clinical trials for Canadian cancer patients.

"The BC Cancer Agency, which is a leader in researching and treating cancer, has an important role to play in this new partnership of top-flight Canadian researchers, scientists and institutions. I'd like to acknowledge the BC Cancer Foundation, Genome BC and the NCE for ensuring that BC is a part of this promising initiative,” said Dr. Nick Foster, Interim Head, BC Cancer Agency.

In addition, Dr. Nelson and colleague Dr. Rob Holt, Head of Sequencing, Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer Agency, will run an Immune Monitoring Program straddling all three focus areas in the national program. The BC Cancer Agency has leading-edge expertise in genomic sequencing and multi-parameter immune profiling, – technologies that give researchers unprecedented insight into the patient’s immune response to their cancer.

“With expertise developed at the BC Cancer Agency, we’ll be able to quickly and comprehensively measure how strongly patients’ immune systems are responding to these new therapies,” said Dr. Nelson.

While different biotherapeutics function in different ways, one thing they have in common is the ability to mobilize and activate the body's natural defense mechanisms to attack cancer cells.

"Biotherapeutics hold great promise because they have the potential to completely eliminate even advanced cancers with far fewer side effects than many of our current treatments. That in itself is very exciting," said Dr. John Bell, a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, professor at the University of Ottawa and the NCE's scientific director.

In B.C., Dr. Nelson and Dr. Holt’s research areas will be supported over the next five years through the NCE grant and funding from the BC Cancer Foundation, Genome BC and the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research.

“BC Cancer Foundation donors have been steadfast supporters of Dr. Brad Nelson’s innovative research into immunotherapy and adoptive T cell therapy. We are proud to be a part of this incredible national initiative that provides hope to cancer patients and their families that effective new treatment options are on the horizon,” said Douglas Nelson, President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.

The new NCE team of more than 40 researchers from 17 academic institutions, as well as eight industry partners and nearly 20 community partners (including provincial organizations and national and regional charities) will work to accelerate the development of biotherapeutics from laboratory discoveries to manufacturing to industry sponsorship to clinical trials.

This unique funding strategy will allow the Canadian consortium to develop several therapeutic strategies in parallel, and then test these alone and in combination, with the goal of finding the most effective way to help a patient’s own body eliminate cancer.

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The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. Visit www.bccancer.bc.ca.
 
The BC Cancer Foundation is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest funder of cancer research in this province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions. Visit www.bccancerfoundation.com to make a donation or to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
 
To arrange an interview:
Jenn Currie
BC Cancer Agency
604-778-6282
jenn.currie@bccancer.bc.ca
 
Allison Colina
BC Cancer Foundation
604-707-5934
allison.Colina@bccancer.bc.ca