Memorial University researcher aims to improve prostate cancer outcomes
By: Kathleen Varty, CRTP Trainee and MSc Student, University of New Brunswick
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in Canada and North America. Despite being the third leading cause of death for men with cancer, prostate cancer has an overall 5-year survival rate of approximately 91%. September is prostate cancer awareness month. BHCRI took a moment to speak with Dr. John Thoms, one physician-scientist in Atlantic Canada working to increase this survival rate.
Dr. Thoms studied medicine at Memorial University and knew from the start that his interests lied in oncology. After completing his residency in radiation oncology at the University of Alberta, Dr. Thoms pursued a research fellowship at the Princess Margaret Hospital. During his fellowship, Dr. Thoms had the opportunity to dive into lab work, during which he really began to focus in on prostate cancer as his area of research.
The lab was not a new area for Dr. Thoms. Prior to beginning his journey as a physician, he completed a Master of Science, working in areas such as radiobiology and biophysics. His experience in research lent itself to eventually establishing his current lab at Memorial University where he focuses primarily on prostate biomarkers and biomarkers of radiotherapy response.
Genomic profiling/genomic biomarkers, such as the ones Dr. Thoms studies, is a promising area in the future of prostate cancer treatment. By knowing a patient’s molecular and genomic profiles “one can better triage patients into more personalized risk categories and subsequently provide intensification or de-intensification of treatment based on their genomic profile which could lead to improved outcomes” says Dr. Thoms.
Another exciting development is the use of Prostate Membrane Specific Antigen (PMSA) PET scan; a relatively new imaging technique which has shown to be more specific and more sensitive for prostate cancer compared to either bone scan or CT imaging. Radiolabelled small molecules that can be attached to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) are now promising new treatments for patients with advanced prostate cancer. Such compounds deliver high doses of radiation to prostate cancer cells over a very short distance. This short range results in highly specific tumour targeting while limiting damage to normal tissues
None of these prostate cancer advancements would be possible without the participation of patients in clinical trials. Dr. Thoms is incredibly appreciative of participants stating “[patient participation in clinical trials] helps to answer really important clinical questions and move advances in treatment forward”. He encourages people to consider clinical trials if their physician notifies them of one.
Although the survival rate of prostate cancer is high, there are a subset of patients that do poorly and the mission to improve patients’ lives and outcomes is ongoing. The research of Dr. Thoms and other physicians and scientists will hopefully continue to increase long-term survival.
Further reading:
Canadian Canada Society: https://cancer.ca/en/about-us/prostate-cancer
Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program: https://pcpep.org/