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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