BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2015 - (Page 12)
T
he BC Cancer Agency is
a world leader in DNA
sequencing to identify
genetic mutations that drive
the development of cancer. But identification of genetic mutations alone
often does not help patients overcome
their disease.
Once cancer types have been differentiated at the molecular level,
the next step is to match them with
the most effective treatments. This
year, a very generous donation to the
BC Cancer Foundation from Charles
Shnier enabled the BC Cancer Agency
to acquire a vital new suite of equipment to reach this goal.
SOLVING THE MYSTERY
OF CANCER
The Protein Link
TO CANCER
How a new piece of equipment is
helping match cancers to drugs
12
PARTNeRS IN DISCOVeRY
The goal of cancer treatment is to
destroy diseased cells. Unfortunately,
while treatments target proteins within
cancerous cells, they often inhibit the
functions of normal cells as well, resulting in side effects. Researchers believe
this process can be prevented and they
are looking for more effective ways to
target the cancer.
A new mass spectrometry instrumentation suite (MSIS) at the BC Cancer
Agency gives the discovery of genetic
mutations a practical application: it
allows researchers to achieve a better
understanding of proteins and their
functions by accurately measuring
their mass.
Dr. Gregg Morin, leader of the
BC Cancer Agency's Proteomics team,
and his colleagues are investigating
several genetic mutations discovered
at the Agency, including:
* PPP2R1A, a protein commonly
mutated in high-grade serous ovarian
cancer
* EZH2, a drug target for lymphoid
cancer that is now in pre-clinical trials
* DICER1, an enzyme associated
with over 20 different cancer types,
including lung and ovarian.
Dr. Morin and his team have also
begun to collaborate with colleagues
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2015
Contents
Opening Thoughts
Healthy Insights
Why I Give
Researcher Profile
The Future of Prostate Cancer Care
Game-Changing Cancer Research
The Protein Link to Cancer
Legacy Giving
Regional Roundup
BC Cancer Foundation - Spring 2015
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