BC Cancer Foundation - Fall 2016 - (Page 11)
Mapping the Spread
of the Deadliest Ovarian Cancer
Researchers use software to analyze cancer cells
and understand migration patterns, informing future care
"The Single Cell Genotyper software
led us to define cell migration maps
for the first time in ovarian cancer,
including what cell types are present,
where they are found in the abdominal
cavity, and their migration patterns."
Dr. Andrew Roth works in Dr.
Shah's lab and developed the software
that provides unprecedented digital
resolution to identify the number of
different cancer cells in a tumour,
and to track how they migrate.
Drs. Sohrab Shah and Andrew Roth teamed up to map
the spread of the most deadly type of ovarian cancer;
this method may improve future care.
D
r. Sohrab Shah's bioinformatics lab at the BC Cancer
Agency is attracting top talent from around the world,
drawn by the lab's innovative approach
to cancer research.
The researchers are developing
novel software tools that can distill
vital biological information on cancer cells and their distinct behaviors,
unveiling a level of single-cell detail
that wasn't possible before.
Dr. Shah's team recently became
the first to map the spread of the
deadliest ovarian cancer, high grade
serous, which makes up 70 per cent of
the ovarian cancer diagnoses faced by
more than 300 B.C. women each year.
The team was able to map the
migration of each cancer cell type
found within tumour samples. This
method provides a highly detailed,
informed map of a person's cancer, which they hope can be used
to develop predictive tools that will
guide care. The more doctors know
about a patient's cancer cells, the
better they can plan treatment.
"Cancer science is now a
quantitative, digital science," Dr. Shah
says of these technological advances.
The study reveals that many cancer cell types make up a patient's
tumour. This could explain why some
cells are susceptible to treatment and
others are resistant, leading to relapse.
The next steps include closer looks
at which cells in ovarian and breast
cancer are resistant to treatment,
using the software.
The team is pioneering the field of
computational cancer biology and is an
inspiration to donors and the women
facing a grim cancer diagnosis. Their
breakthrough is a powerful example of
philanthropy accelerating science.
BE PART OF THE PROGRESS
Learn more about Dr. Shah's pioneering work and
how you can support his next big breakthrough.
Contact Jan New today at jan.new@bccancer.bc.ca.
W W W.BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM
11
http://WWW.BCCANCERFOUNDATION.COM
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of BC Cancer Foundation - Fall 2016
BC Cancer Foundation - Fall 2016
Opening Thoughts
Healthy Insights
Why I Give
Researcher Profi le
Bringing Cancer Care Closer to Home
Mapping the Spread of the Deadliest
A Better Biopsy
The Cancer’s DNA Matters
Legacy Giving
Regional Roundup
BC Cancer Foundation - Fall 2016
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