5 BC Cancer Research Breakthroughs in 2025

Thanks to the generosity of donors, BC Cancer scientists are driving bold discoveries that are reshaping how cancers are detected, treated and prevented. Here are five research advances that moved the future of cancer care forward in 2025.

1. Uncovering New Treatments for Rare Cancers

BC Cancer’s Dr. David Huntsman is co-leading a team of researchers determined to change how we understand and treat sarcomas — rare and aggressive bone and soft tissue cancers that disproportionately affect young people.

The team previously developed a single test, now used internationally, to detect more than 50 types of sarcomas, replacing dozens of complex tests, reducing costs and dramatically accelerating diagnosis. Now, they hope to develop better, less toxic treatments that help young people survive and thrive well beyond a diagnosis.

2. Exercise is Proven to Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk

With a focus on identifying early indicators of cancer in women, Dr. Jennifer Ritonja’s research shows that higher physical activity during the early to mid-adulthood years can significantly affect ovarian cancer risk.

Her findings show higher activity levels during those years appear to be protective against cancer, supporting the growing understanding that physical activity plays a role in reducing cancer risk and empowering women to take proactive steps in safeguarding their health.

3. Bacteria in Breast Tumours Linked to Cancer Spread

BC Cancer’ Dr. Zachary Gerbec and his team discovered that certain bacteria found in breast tumours may play an active role in metastasis, or the spread of cancer to other parts of the body.

Although prior research has shown that bacteria can influence cancer growth, far less is understood about its role in metastasis, a major cause of cancer-related death. This study underscores the need for deeper investigation into how specific bacteria may enhance a tumour’s ability to spread, paving the way for potential strategies to slow or even prevent metastatic disease.

4. Key Driver in Lung Cancer Drug Resistance Discovered

Researchers at BC Cancer’s Lockwood Lab are investigating why some lung tumours eventually stop responding to treatment and how this resistance can be reduced. A recent study focused on lung adenocarcinoma, a common type of non-small cell lung cancer often treated with EGFR inhibitors. While these drugs are effective at first, about 15% of patients develop resistance, allowing the cancer to grow again.

In lab-grown lung cancer cells exposed to EGFR inhibitors, graduate student Rocky Shi discovered that the cells that survived — and gradually became resistant — produced higher levels of a protein called ILK. When the team blocked ILK in their models, the cancer cells responded better to treatment and took longer to develop resistance.

This finding suggests that targeting ILK may offer a promising new approach to making EGFR inhibitor treatments last longer for patients. The next step is to develop better ILK-blocking drugs that could eventually be tested in clinical trials.

5. New Test Identifies High-Risk Childhood Brain Tumours

An effective new technique for identifying aggressive medulloblastoma — the most common type of malignant brain tumour in children — has been developed by a team of Canadian researchers including BC Cancer’s Dr. Alberto Delaidelli.

While some children with medulloblastoma respond well to treatment, others experience aggressive tumours that are likely to relapse, making it critical to categorize tumours early and accurately. Current diagnostics rely on complex genetic tests that are expensive and only available in a handful of specialized laboratories worldwide

This new made-in-Canada technique will not only help doctors tailor treatments to individual patients and ensure high-risk cases receive the intensive therapy they need, it also has the potential to spare young patients from unnecessary treatments and their harmful long-term side effects.