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Kidney Cancer Canada funded research projects

GENETIC INVESTIGATIONS

A multi-disciplinary team led by Dr. Raymond Kim in Toronto developed the Integrative Sequencing in Germline and Hereditary Tumours research project (INSIGHT). This project uses modern molecular techniques to look at the genomic information in high-risk kidney cancer families. The goal of the project is to gain new knowledge about genetic alterations or changes in kidney cancer.

Dr. Jan Rudzinski and researchers at the Department of Oncology at the University of Alberta work to understand the role of novel genes in metastasis of kidney cancer. The goal of the project is to greater understand the genes in kidney cancer metastasis so new therapies can be designed to turn off these genes and block the spread of kidney cancer.

Medical Geneticists at the University of Toronto lead a pilot project to demonstrate the need and utility for mainstreaming genetic testing in kidney cancer.

The work of Kidney Cancer Canada and the tremendous philanthropy of its community and donors furthers research in the clinical and basic science fields. This helps us search for a cure and improve treatment.

Dr. Anil Kapoor
Chair – Kidney Cancer Research Network of Canada

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IMMUNOTHERAPY, TARGETED THERAPY AND PROGNOSTIC INVESTIGATIONS

A team led by Dr. Keith Lawson from the Departments of Surgery and Molecular Genetics at the University of Toronto looks at immunotherapy and how a patient’s immune system can be used to attack kidney cancer.

Dr. Lucia Nappi’s research at the Department of Urological Services at the University of British Columbia seeks to identify predictive biomarkers associated to the response or resistance of kidney cancer targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Dr. Shaan Dudani and a team of researchers from the Division of Oncology at the University of Calgary work to identify new predictive biomarkers. The goal is to provide patients, for whom the cancer has spread, with a personalized treatment plan and increase survival.

A team of researchers from the Department of Immunotherapy at the University of Montreal Research Centre led by Dr. Bertrand Routy look at how bacteria present in the gut may affect a patient’s response to immunotherapy. The result will help doctors select specific treatment plans for patients.

A team of researchers from the University Health Network in Toronto works on a research project which models the molecular landscape of kidney cancer for the development of new drug targets, using single-cell data and emerging biotechnology. The model is then integrated into the Kidney Cancer Drug Discovery Program in Canada.

A research group led by Dr. Renu Jeyapala at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital investigates biomarkers in urine to see if they can determine prognostic indicators for patients who have small renal masses.

SURGICAL AND RADIATION INVESTIGATIONS

Dr. William Chu, Radiation Oncologist at the Sunnybrook Research Institute assesses the quality of life in medically inoperable kidney cancer patients treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT).

Dr. Patrick Richard leads a team of researchers from the Department of Surgery at the University of Sherbrooke to follow patients with complex kidney cysts over a prolonged period of time. The goal is to reduce over diagnosis and overtreatments in patients who may not require surgery.

Kidney Cancer Canada Surgery Generic

QUALITY OF LIFE INVESTIGATIONS

A multi-disciplinary team led by Dr. Linda Trinh, an Exercise Physiologist at the University of Toronto, conducts a pilot project that studies the association between cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity and cognitive function in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The study includes one hundred and one participants over one year.

Kidney Cancer Canada