Two research teams led by UBC faculty of medicine professors have been awarded more than $9 million in combined funding through the 2024 Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grants (PPG) to expand cancer research and improve treatments.
One of the B.C.-based teams, led by Dr. Brad Nelson, a professor in UBC’s department of medical genetics, is receiving $2.4 million over the next four years for a new project exploring innovative forms of immunotherapy for ovarian cancer.
The other B.C.-based project, led by Dr. Aly Karsan, a professor in UBC’s department of pathology and laboratory medicine, is receiving $7.5 million in renewal funding to take their work on leukemia to the next level, exploring epigenomic changes that influence the cancer’s behaviour and treatment response.
The two B.C. research teams were among four projects that received a total of $19.8 million in new and renewal funding.
“This landmark investment in these four exciting and cutting-edge research programs supports first-class Canadian cancer research and, notably, moves TFRI to a new record high for innovative team science funded by Terry Fox,” said Dr. Jim Woodgett, TFRI’s president and scientific director. “From ovarian and bladder cancer immuno-oncology to epigenomic analysis of leukemia to new drug delivery systems these teams have superb potential to improve outcomes for patients.”
There are now 20 active PPG teams across Canada, a record-high since the funding program began more than 40 years ago.
New faculty of medicine-led project:
Project lead: Dr. Brad Nelson (Medical Genetics)
Project: Integrated immunotherapy for ovarian cancer
Cancer Topic: Immunotherapy
Partners: BC Cancer Research Institute, Dalhousie University, University Health Network, University of Victoria
Renewed faculty of medicine-led project:
Project lead: Dr. Aly Karsan (Pathology and Laboratory Medicine)
Project: Strategies to divert malignant potentials in acute leukemia
Cancer Topic: Cancer Biology
Partners: Université de Montreal, UBC, BC Cancer Research Institute