Research Discoveries

The hand-held oral cancer device called the VELscope, invented and developed at the Agency for the detection and treatment of oral precancerous lesions, achieved FDA and Health Canada approval, went into production and was introduced to dentists in B.C. and around the world for enhanced oral cancer screening

The Agency developed a revolutionary technology called Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) that will enable cancer patients to receive faster and more precise radiation therapy through a single 360-degree rotation of the radiation beam around the body. VMAT involves an innovative method for manipulating the radiation beams that can be delivered from a standard linear accelerator (a machine...

An Agency study showed that newer drug therapies available since the 1990s, in particular aromatase inhibitors, improve the survival of women with metastatic breast cancer in the general population.

Researchers discovered new evidence that explained why former smokers are still susceptible to lung cancer after they have stopped smoking for many years. The study showed that in former smokers, some genes return to levels similar to people who never smoked, while other genes appear to be permanently damaged

Researchers discovered that there are distinct subtypes of blood stem cells. Each stem cell behaves uniquely and produces different types of mature blood cells in a transplant setting. This may lead to improved treatments for leukemia patients.

Researchers discovered a novel gene, HACE1, which suppresses the growth of human tumours in multiple cancers including breast, lung and liver cancers as well as melanomas, lymphomas and sarcomas. The discovery of this gene clearly impacts a wide range of cancers, and provides a novel link between cellular stress and cancer with a potential to improve treatments for many cancer patients.

The Agency launched the first-of-its-kind study in Canada to test the value of online emotional support in improving the quality of life of young women with breast cancer. The study will investigate whether the online skills and support group can reduce distress, change perception of how much breast cancer interferes with the physical well-being, and increase participants’ confidence in coping...

Researchers at the BC Cancer Agency’s Terry Fox Laboratory discovered that chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) stem cells spontaneously develop resistance to Gleevec, possibly due to continuing genetic mutations. Gleevec is an oral chemotherapy drug that helps reduce the symptoms of CML and allows patients to return to a normal life.

An Agency study found that cells from a common childhood cancer behave much differently when placed in liquid suspension compared to how they grow in solid tissues. This could help address one of the great challenges in treating childhood cancers — metastasis.

Researchers discovered that blood stem cells undergo a rapid change from fetal to adult blood stem cells, early in life. This may lead to better treatments of leukemia and other blood cancers.