CRTP Trainees and CRTP Alumni are bold; BHCRI members underlined
Mitochondrial DNA levels in perfusate and bile during ex vivo normothermic machine correspond with donor liver quality – Lauren Westhaver, Sarah Nersesian, Riley Arseneau, Joshua Hefler, Breanna KV Hargreaves, Alexander Edgar, Yara Azizieh, Nerea Cuesta-Gomez, Dayne Izquierdo, AM James Shapiro, Boris Gala-Lopez and Jeanette Boudreau (2024) Heliyon
– In this study, the authors developed a technique to measure DNA specific to the mitochondria (mtDNA) that is released when cells die. They further found this technique can be used to inform donor liver quality assessment in the context of liver transplantation.
ALDH1A3 is the switch that determines the balance of ALDH+ and CD24-CD44+ cancer stem cells, EMT-MET, and glucose metabolism in breast cancer – Wasundara Fernando, Brianne M Cruickshank, Raj Pranap Arun, Maya R MacLean, Hannah F Cahill, Fiorella Morales-Quintanilla, Cheryl Dean, Marie-Claire Wasson, Margaret L Dahn, Krysta M Coyle, Olivia L Walker, Melanie R Power Coombs and Paola Marcato (2024) Oncogene
– In this publication, the authors found new information about how an enzyme in breast cancer cells controls breast cancer growth. Blocking this enzyme changes how cancer cells use energy and could be a new way to treat breast cancer.
Identification of lysyl oxidase as an adipocyte-secreted mediator that promotes a partial mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in MDa-MB-231 cells
Cassidy M Van Stiphout, Grant Kelly, Nikitha K Pallegar, Eman Elbakry, Ana Valeria Vilchis-Celis, Sherri L Christian, Alicia M Viloria-Petit
(2024) Explor Target Antitumor Ther
– In this publication, the authors identify a protein called LOX that is made by fat cells that causes breast cancer cells to change in a way that resembles the changes cancer cells make when they spread to distant sites. Targeting this protein might be a way to prevent cancer from spreading, particularly to the bone marrow, which contains a lot of fat cells
Grant Kelly was the recipient of the 2021 Carol Ann Cole Comfort Heart Summer Studentship for Breast Cancer Research
Dr. Christian is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
Early change in fatigue, insomnia, and cognitive impairment and symptom severity 3 years post-treatment in breast cancer survivors
Rachel Lee, Joshua A Rash, Melanie Seal, Joy McCarthy and Sheila N Garland
(2024) Support Care Cancer
– Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among Canadian women. Survivorship challenges include fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairment. This study examined (1) symptom trajectory from diagnosis to 3 years; (2) whether symptom change in the first 4 months was associated with prolonged difficulties after 3 years; and (3) which factors were associated with deterioration in symptoms during the first 4 months.
While in CRTP, Rachel was supported by a Canadian Cancer Society JD Irving, Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Dr. Garland is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
Evaluation of population-based screening programs on colorectal cancer screening uptake and predictors in Atlantic Canada: Insights from a repeated cross-sectional study
Kazeem Adefemi, John C Knight, Yun Zhu and Peizhong Peter Wang
(2024) BMC
– This study shows that while CRC screening uptake increased across the Atlantic provinces during the study period, barriers to and disparities in screening participation persist.
Kazeem is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving, Limited – Excellence in Cancer Research Fund
Dr. Wang is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
Fusogenic vesicular stomatitis virus combined with natural killer T cell immunotherapy controls metastatic breast cancer
– Adam Nelson, Nichole McMullen, Simon Gebremeskel, Roberto De Antueno, Duncan Mackenzie, Roy Duncan, Brent Johnston
(2024) Breast Cancer Research
– In this publication, the authors show that viruses engineering to fuse tumour cells can enhance tumour cell killing and recognition by the immune system. Combining this with immune cell activation lead to complete tumour clearance in a model of metastatic breast cancer.
While in CRTP, Adam was supported by TFRI, CIBC, Craig’s Cause for Pancreatic Cancer;
Dr. Duncan and Dr. Johnston are Senior Scientists with BHCRI.
Tutorial: Design, production and testing of oncolytic viruses for cancer immunotherapy
– Shashi Gujar, Jonathan G Pol, Vishnupriyan Kumar, Manuela Lizarralde-Guerrero, Prathyusha Konda, Guido Kroemer, John C Bell
(2024) Nature Protocols
– This paper provides a blueprint for developing ‘cancer-killing viruses’ – a new form of treatment option that can target almost any type of cancer. Cancer-killing viruses (also known as oncolytic viruses) can seek and eliminate cancer cells without harming normal cells. Additionally, these viruses train our immune system to fight cancer on its own. The article offers a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to design, produce and test oncolytic viruses in laboratories to ensure a safe and effective use in cancer patients.
While in CRTP, Vishnu was supported by the Motorcycle Ride for Dad
Dr. Gujar is a Scientist with BHCRI.
Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer mortality in Canada: 1992 – 2019
– Nazanin Nasiri and Mohammad Hajizadeh
(2024) Breast Cancer Res Treat
– This study aimed to quantify and assess trends in education and income inequalities in the mortality rate of breast cancer in Canada. Results indicate a growing trend in the concentration of mortality among females with lower income and education. Continued efforts are needed within the healthcare system to improve prevention and treatment for this population.
Nazanin was the recipient of a 2022 BHCRI Summer Studentship
Dr. Hajizadeh is Scientist with BHCRI.
Perceived executive functioning deficits after diagnosis in women with non-metastatic breast cancer prior to adjuvant therapies
Sheila Garland, Joshua Tulk, Nicole Rodriguez, Roshua A Rash, Jonathan M Fawcett, Joy McCarthy, Melanie Seal and Kara Laing
(2024) Int J Behav Med
– Perceived deficits in executive functioning are among the many difficulties that women diagnosed with breast cancer experience. This study assessed the presence of perceived deficits in executive functioning among women with breast cancer prior to systemic treatment and radiation and associations between perceived deficits in executive function and comorbid fatigue, sleep and mood disturbance.
This research was supported by a BHCRI New Investigator Award to Dr. Garland
Joshua Tulk was a summer student with Dr. Garland and recipient of BHCRI’s CCS Carol Ann Cole Comfort Heart for Breast Cancer Research Summer Studentship
Dr. Garland is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
Racial and sociodemographic distribution of colorectal cancer screening in Canada: A cross-sectional study
Kazeem Adefemi, John C Knight, Yun Zhu, Peter Peizhong Wang
(2024) Can J Public Health
– In a national study using the CCHS data recently published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, CRTP trainee Kazeem Adefemi shines a light on the racial and sociodemographic disparities in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening across Canada. Kazeem’s research offers critical insights into how CRC screening varies across racial and sociodemographic characters in Canada. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these gaps and ensure equitable access to life-saving CRC screening programs across all segments of the Canadian population.
Kazeem is a BHCRI CRTP trainee and was supported by a CRTP Graduate Studentship with funds provided by the Canadian Cancer Society’s JD Irving, Limited Excellence in Cancer Research Fund.
Dr. Wang is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI
Tumor copy number alteration burden as a predictor for resistance to immune checkpoint blockade across different cancer types
Karama Asleh and Rodney J Ouellette
(2024) Cancers (Basel)
– In this publication the authors show that genetic alterations known as copy number variations (CNVs) affect the response of cancer patients to immunotherapy. Specifically, higher amounts of CNVs are associated with poorer response to these therapies. Better understanding of molecular characteristics that influence treatment response will allow a more individualized approach to therapy selection and possible new combinations that are better suited for each patient.
Dr. Ouellette is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
Sarah Nersesian, Riley J Arseneau, Jorge P Mejia, Stacey N Lee, Lauren P Westhaver, Nigel W Griffiths, Stephanie R Grantham, Liliane Meunier, Laudine Communal, Avik Mukherjee, Anne-Marie Mes-Masson, Thomas Arnason, Brad H Nelson, Jeanette E Boudreau
(2024) Front Immunol
– In this publication the authors discover unique clusters of immune cells in aggressive ovarian tumours that associate with patient outcomes. These results can be used to inform future strategies to design more effective immunotherapies.
Riley, Jorge and Stacey are current BHCRI CRTP trainees. Riley and Jorge are supported by CRTP Graduate Studentships with funds provided by GIVETOLIVE.
Dr. Boudreau is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
BioCanRx Summit for Cancer Immunotherapy 2022 Proceedings
Stacey N Lee, Victoria Hoskin, Celine M Laumont, Shannon Snelling, Lorenzo Lindo, Lou Bird, Vera Samarkina, Chantale Thurston, Grace Fox, Sarah Ivanco, Megan Mahoney, Jeanette E Boudreau, Sarah Nersesian
(2024) Biochem Cell Biol
– In this summary of the 2022 BioCanRx Summit, we discuss keynote talks, plenary sessions highlighting several areas of cancer research, a discussion of patient-focused research, a lively debate about tumour microenvironment drivers, and a panel discussion on the deployment and challenges to accessing immunotherapy in Canada.
Stacey Lee is a current BHCRI CRTP Trainee.
Dr. Boudreau is a Senior Scientist with BHCRI.
Bacterial heat shock protein genes during induction chemotherapy in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Katherine A Dunn, Emma MacDonald, Tamara MacDonald, Ketan Kulkarni
(2024) Future Oncol
– Heat shock proteins (HSP) protect cancer cells. Gastrointestinal bacteria contain HSP genes and can release extracellular vesicles which act as biological shuttles. We examined the abundance of five bacterial HSP genes as pre-treatment and during induction in gut microbiome in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients and identified significant changes during this phase of treatment. These are key initial steps in determining if bacterial HSPs are important to the tumour microenvironment and leukemia treatment.
This research was funded by a BHCRI New Investigator Award to Dr. Kulkarni
Dr. Kulkarni is an Associate Scientist with BHCRI.
2023
ALDH1A3 promotes invasion and metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer by regulating the plasminogen activation pathway
Alamelu Bharadwaj, Meghan E McLean, Margaret L Dahn, Hannah F Cahill, Marie-Claire D Wasson, Raj Pranap Arun, Olivia L Walker, Brianne M Cruickshank, Wasundara Fernando, Jaganathan Venkatesh, Penelope J Barnes, Gillian Bethune, Gregory Knapp, Lucy K Helyer, Carman A Giacomantonio, David M Waisman, Paola Marcato
(2023) Molecular Oncology
– In this publication, the authors show how the enzyme, ALDH1A3, which is often present at high levels in triple-negative breast tumours, causes the breast cancer cells to spread to other parts of the body.
Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer incidence among women in Canada –
Madeline Tweel, Grace M Johnston, Mohammad Hajizadeh
(2023) Cancer Control
– Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females in Canada. This study examines trends in socioeconomic inequalities in the incidence of breast cancer in Canada over an 18 year period.
Toenail arsenic species and metallome profiles associated with breast, cervical, prostate, and skin cancer prevalence in the Atlantic Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health cohort –
Kalli M Hood, Ellen Sweeney, Gabriela Ilie, Erin Keltie, Jong Sung Kim
(2023) Front Public Health
– In this publication, the authors examined the association with arsenic speciation and metallome profiles in prevalent cases of breast, cervical, prostate, and skin cancers. Arsenic speciation profiles varied by cancer type and were significantly different between cases and controls in the breast, cervical and skin cancer groups. The metallome profiles were significantly differentiated in the prostate and skin cancer groups with higher zinc concentrations among cases as compared to controls.
The delivery of palliative and end-of-life care to adolescents and young adults living with cancer: a scoping review –
Emily K Drake, Lori E Weeks, Michael van Manen, Hwayeon Danielle Shin, Helen Wong, Dani Taylor, Shelley McKibbon, Janet Curren
(2023) J Adolesc Young Adult Oncology
– This scoping review maps the evidence that exists concerning the delivery of palliative and end-of-life care to adolescents and young adults living with cancer.
Digital health interventions for insomnia: Turning promise into reality –
Samlau Kutana, Sheila N Garland, Eric S Zhou
(2023) Current Sleep Medicine Reports
– In this publication the authors review existing research related to digital insomnia interventions, identifying critical questions that must be answered by future researchers to increase uptake and dissemination of these treatments.
A metal-dependent conformational change provides a structural basis for the inhibition of CTP synthase by gemcitabine-5′-triphosphate –
Matthew J McLeod, Norman Tran, Gregory D McCluskey, Tom D Gillis, Stephen L Bearne, Todd Holyoak
(2023) Protein Science
– In this publication, the authors uncover the origin of the strong binding interaction of a metabolite of a cancer drug with an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of a building block of the genetic material required for the rapid growth of cancer cells. This information will inform drug design.
Social stigma associated with cancer in the Newfoundland and Labrador population: an exploratory study –
Savas, Sevtap; Winsor, Mercy; Tenkorang, Eric Y; Simmonds, Charlene; Stuckless, Teri
(2023) Journal of Psychosocial Oncology
– In this study the authors were interested in learning how individuals with a history of cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador were treated by their social and workplace relations. While highly positive experiences were also reported, a portion of the participants felt stigmatized or discriminated because of their history of cancer.
Kruppel-family zinc finger proteins as emerging epigenetic biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma –
Patrick Pearson, Kendra Smith, Nilita Sood, Elizabeth Chia, Alicia Follett, Michael B Prystowsky, Simon Kirby, Thomas J Belbin
(2023) J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
– In this publication, the authors describe a novel group of ZNF genes that are silenced in many types of cancer. In addition, this silencing is associated with a poor patient prognosis in head and neck, as well as lung cancers. One of these genes (ZNF154) appears to inhibit the ability of cancer cells to migrate. The mechanism for this inhibition is still unknown.
Sequence-based platforms for discovering biomarkers in liquid biopsy of non-small-cell lung cancer –
Liam J Brockley, Vanessa GP Souza, Aisling Forder, Michelle E Pewarchuk, Melis Erkan, Nikita Telkar, Katya Benard, Jessica Trejo, Matt D. Stewart, Greg L. Stewart, Patricia P Reis, Wan L Lam and Victor D Martinez
(2023) Cancers
– This publication sheds light on the potential of liquid biopsies for detecting biomarkers in lung cancer patients, including those in early stages, to avoid the need for invasive procedures. The authors discuss the use of next-generation sequencing technologies to comprehensively detect new biomarkers. Additionally, the text provides a compilation of advanced sequencing and bioinformatics tools that can be used to analyze data from liquid biopsies.
Primary care provider interventions for addressing cancer screening participation with marginalized patients: a scoping review protocol –
Arlinda Ruco, Alexandra Cernat, Sabine Calleja, Jill Tinmouth, Aisha K Lofters
(2023) BMJ Open
– In this publication, the authors report on a protocol for a scoping review that will summarize the nature, type and range of primary care provider interventions for maximizing cancer screening participation with patients experiencing marginalization. This review will inform future work in the design of tailored primary care provider interventions for cancer screening.
Exploring the microbiome of oral epithelial dysplasia as a predictor of malignant progression –
Robyn J Wright, Michelle E Pewarchuk, Erin A Marshall, Benjamin Murrary, Miriam P Rosin, Denise M Laronde, Lewei Zhang, Wan L Lam, Morgan GI Langille, Leigha D Rock
(2023) BMC Oral Health
– In this publication the authors showed that bacteria differed in oral precancerous lesions that progressed to cancer compared to those that did not. In addition the metabolic impact of the bacteria was associated with enzymes that have been previously linked to oral cancer. Larger studies are warrented to further explore the role of bacteria in oral cancer and its potential as a biomarker of risk.
Use of wearable activity-monitoring technologies to promote physical activity in cancer survivors: Challenges and opportunities for improved cancer care –
Melanie R. Keats, Xing Yu, Molly Sweeney Magee, Cynthia C Forbes, Scott A Grandy, Ellen Sweeney, Trevor JB Dummer
(2023) Int J Environ Res Public Health
PMID: 36981693
– This review shows that wearable activity monitors can play an important role in motivating individuals with a cancer diagnosis to be more physically activity in the short-term. Future studies are required to assess the long-term impact of self-monitoring devices.
PML and PML-like exonucleases restrict retrotransposons in jawed vertebrates –
Sabateeshan Mathavarajah, Kathleen L Vergunst, Elias B Habib, Shelby K Williams, Raymond He, Maria Maliougina, Mika Park, Jayme Salsman, Stephane Roy, Ingo Braasch, Andrew J Roger, David N Langelaan, Graham Dellaire
(2023) Nucleic Acids Res
– In this study, the authors uncovered through an evolutionary biology approach, a new function for the tumour suppressor PML and related PML-like exonucleases in protecting cells from genomic instability caused by “hopping genes“ called retrotransposons, which can disrupt DNA to cause cancer.
Genistein and Procyanidin B2 reduce carcinogen-induced reactive oxygen species and DNA damage through the activation of Nrf2/ARE cell signaling in bronchial epithelial cells in vitro –
Tharindu L Suraweera, JP Jose Merlin, Graham Dellaire, Zhaolin Xu and HP Vasantha Rupasinghe
(2023) Int J Mol Sci
– Cancer prevention through dietary modification has been receiving growing interest. This publication demonstrates that among 25 tested dietary antioxidants, two flavonoids (genistein and procyanidin B2) have the potential to boost our antioxidant defence system through the activation of Nrf2/ARE cell signaling. Genistein is an isoflavone present in soy-based food and beverages, whereas procyanidin is abundant in most berries and cocoa-based food.
Erin Whynot, Andrea Tomko and Denis Dupre
(2023) J Cannabis Res
– This work looked at the potential effects of various cannabinoids and their potential effect on bladder cancer cells when combined with certain bladder cancer drugs currently used in practice. Our results on cell lines indicate some potential beneficial effects against bladder cancer that deserve to be further researched to see if these results also occur in humans.
Perceived executive functioning deficits after diagnosis in women with non-metastatic breast cancer prior to adjuvant therapies
Sheila Garland, Joshua Tulk, Nicole Rodriguez, Joshua Rash, Jonathan Fawcett, Joy McCarthy, Melanie Seal, Kara Laing
(2023) Int J Behav Med
– This study demonstrates that trouble with executive functioning (ie difficulty inhibiting impulses, self-monitoring, and regulating emotions) are present in women with breast cancer prior to starting treatment and are worsened by mental fatigue, poor sleep quality, and insomnia symptoms. Early sleep and fatigue interventions may prevent long term problems with cognition.
Plain language summary of a fingerprinting technique to monitor blood cancer
Iryna Savinova, Alexandra Fournier, Stacy Grieve, Keith Brunt
(2023) Nanomedicine
– In this publication the authors found that young adult women with cancer have more orthorexia (a type of disordered eating that involves an exaggerated and obsessive fixation on healthy eating) symptoms than their peers without cancer. Of the young women in the sample, 36.7% scored in the clinical range for orthorexia-related symptoms.