Pelotonia’s Post

🌟 Spotlight on the UCC CTG PPI Panel at Cancer Research @UCC🌟   We’re proud to highlight the vital role that the UCC CTG Patient and Public Involvement Panel plays in our research and clinical trials at Cancer Research @UCC. Since 2023, they have been key partners in making our work more patient-centered, bringing valuable insights and ensuring our studies resonate with patient needs.   Here’s how they’ve made a difference: 📄 Document Review: The panel has reviewed essential study documents like Patient Information Leaflets and Informed Consent Forms, making them more accessible and relevant for participants.   🤝 Collaboration on Grants: They’ve served as co-applicants and collaborators on grant applications, further embedding the patient perspective in research development.   Their contributions have been pivotal in trials such as LiamMC and Improve TMZ, helping shape projects that truly reflect the experiences and needs of those we serve.   “Having the patient voice at the table when designing clinical research ensures that the outcomes are meaningful to patients’ lives.” – Prof. Jack Gleeson, PI & Researcher, CRUCC Ms. Katie Johnston, Cancer Research @UCC Dietician, reflects on the PPI activities: "The partnership between PPI partners and the research team enables mutual learning and understanding of both the patient and clinician perspectives. For example, our PPI partners and trial participants have shaped the design and location of the LIAM Mc Trial and collaborated with us to make clinical trial documents more accessible."   We’re deeply grateful for the dedication and impact of our PPI partners in shaping a more patient-driven future in cancer research. 💡

Meet the presidents! Dr. Julio Aguirre-Ghiso is the Metastasis Research Society’s board member and past-president, serving from 2018-2020. We recently interviewed Dr. Aguirre-Ghiso about his research and his involvement in the society. 🎤 When did you first get involved with the MRS? I became involved with the MRS when I was elected a board member in 2016. Currently I serve as past president and board member. I am happy for the continued 8 years of work at MRS. 🎤 What is your research focus? My team’s research led a paradigm shift, revealing novel cancer biology that diverges from the notion that cancer is perpetually proliferating. We discovered that reciprocal crosstalk between disseminated tumor cells and the microenvironment regulates the inter-conversion between dormancy and metastasis initiation. We also discovered specific niches that drive the process of dormancy and how it is sustained at the epigenetic level. My lab also provided a mechanistic understanding of the process of early dissemination and revealed how it contributes to dormancy and metastatic progression and how stress adaptive pathways allow cancer cells to persist while quiescent. Our work has enabled clinical approaches that seek to target stress signaling pathways, implement markers of dormancy in the clinic and kill proliferative or dormant cancer cells and/or induce cancer cell dormancy. 🎤 What do you think will be the next big breakthrough for metastasis research and patients with metastatic disease? I am biased but I think the data from our lab and others supports that intercepting dormant or even reactivating disseminating cancer cells when minimal residual disease is the prevailing state, will be the most effective strategy to delay or prevent relapse in all its forms. It may take time but those working in this space are in some way preparing the space for the future. We think the current clinical approach to test and implement new drugs will change and when it becomes obvious that therapies have to be used earlier and that trying to stop multi-organ overt metastatic disease is very hard, we will have prepared the knowledge base for these strategies to hit the ground running. I can see the change starting.

📣Exciting news! Our partnership with Tennessee Oncology, one of the largest community-based cancer care providers in the U.S., is expanding. This leading network treats nearly half of Tennessee’s cancer patients across 35 clinics. After starting with SOPHiA DDM™ for liquid biopsy testing (MSK-ACCESS® powered with SOPHiA DDM™) and our hereditary cancer solution earlier this year, Tennessee Oncology is now validating SOPHiA DDM™ RNAtarget Technology and SOPHiA DDM™ Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP). “In our time using SOPHiA DDM™, we have been impressed with the outstanding results and incredible support, allowing us to retain our samples in-house and stay abreast of changing guidelines. The addition of these new applications will help us gain a better understanding of what drives cancers down to a molecular level,” said Thomas Stricker, MD, PhD, Pathology Lab Director, Center for Molecular and Genomic Studies, Tennessee Oncology. This expansion streamlines multiple NGS tests into one workflow, speeding up turnaround times, consolidating testing to save sample material, and providing a deeper molecular view of cancer. Their research is advancing cancer biology insights and shaping future clinical decision-making. "By furthering their research and providing access to advanced cancer testing, Tennessee Oncology is innovating the cancer landscape and improving outcomes for patients in need,” said John Carey, MBA, Managing Director, NORAM, SOPHiA GENETICS. Thank you for your continued trust, Tennessee Oncology! OneOncology Read more here: https://loom.ly/Ho9eMXQ #NGS #PrecisionOncology #CancerCare #DataDrivenMedicine

Exciting news from the IASLC and Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF)! The IASLC-LCRF Team Science Research Grant has awarded $2.5 million to a global team led by Dr. David Barbie of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to advance treatments for oncogene-driven lung cancers. This groundbreaking research focuses on drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells, which evade standard therapies and drive cancer recurrence. The distinguished research team includes: Aaron Hata, MD, PhD – Massachusetts General Hospital Eric Smith, MD, PhD – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Pasi Jänne, MD, PhD – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Shunsuke Kitajima, PhD – Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research Their two-pronged approach includes: - Immune Modulation: Inhibiting a negative immune regulator to unleash the body's natural defenses against DTP cells. - Enhanced CAR T-Cell Therapy: Developing CAR T-cells designed to identify and eliminate DTP cells. These strategies aim to prevent therapy resistance, improve survival rates, and lay the foundation for transformative clinical trials. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with oncogene-driven forms posing unique challenges. This grant underscores the power of international collaboration and innovative science in the fight against this devastating disease. Learn more: https://bit.ly/LCRFGrant24 

Today, on World Ovarian Cancer Day, we delve into the latest advancements in ovarian cancer research. Our new blog sheds light on emerging trends and innovative solutions. Key Takeaways: 📊 The promise of 3D cell culture models like organoids. 🧬 Early detection through advanced research. 💊 New FDA-approved treatments for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Discover how 2D and 3D cell culture models, alongside ex vivo tissue models, are transforming ovarian cancer research. Read our latest blog to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBN-BuM8 World Ovarian Cancer Coalition Optics11 Life #WOCD2024 #WorldOvarianCancerDay #NoWomanLeftBehind

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 10% of all breast cancers and is associated with a more aggressive disease. The gene TP53 is a master regulator of the cell, and the protein form of TP53, p53 plays a critical role in repairing damage to our DNA which can prevent cancer. When cancer occurs, changes in that cancer's DNA (mutations) can make it harder to treat. TP53 is the most mutated gene in cancer, and interestingly 80% of TNBCs have TP53 mutations. Understanding the role of TP53 mutations can inform both scientists and patients as to the aggressiveness of their cancer. The goal of research into TP53 mutations is to develop more effective treatments for these cancers. The outcome of the transatlantic collaboration between researchers at Dublin City University and Arizona State University is to uncover how different p53 mutations result in resistance to chemotherapy. In Jin Park and Josh LaBaer’s lab in ASU, they have been working on TP53 mutations in breast cancer, and have demonstrated that some TP53 mutations can cause treatment resistance, while others make the disease spread faster. Dr Alex Eustace’s lab has extensive experience in the preclinical assessment of novel treatment strategies for hard-to-treat cancers. Research from the Eustace lab has led to the initiation of several early phase clinical trials in women with breast cancer. https://lnkd.in/eU2nFj9n

We are excited to announce our newest Cancer Research Scholar, Dr. Weiguo Cui! Dr. Cui was selected by our Cancer Research Committee members, and the Foundation will award $50,000 to support the work of Dr. Cui. Dr. Cui’s research is focused on targeting metabolism in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) to overcome resistance in colorectal cancer treatment. Colorectal cancer patients often do not respond to a type of cancer treatment called immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). The goal of ICB is to strengthen the body's immune system and enhance its ability to fight off harmful invaders. This treatment's effectiveness can be hindered by MDSCs. These cells use a unique way of generating energy that helps them survive and suppress the immune system. Researchers have identified a protein called Pim1 that plays a crucial role in the energy production and function of MDSCs. By targeting Pim1, it may be possible to overcome the resistance to ICB in colorectal cancer. Dr. Cui’s research could lead to new strategies for improving colorectal cancer treatments by targeting the metabolism of MDSCs, thereby making the immune system more effective against tumors. The Research Scholar award gives scientists the necessary resources and time needed to ask novel research questions and explore new ideas related to gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. To learn more about past Scholars we’ve funded and their research findings, please check out our stewardship report: https://lnkd.in/gkXmggNz

PanKind, The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation proudly collaborates with global organisations which means we are at the forefront of global advances in pancreatic cancer research. We’re thrilled to share some positive updates from both the USA and the UK, which will ultimately benefit pancreatic cancer patients across the globe. In the UK, NHS England has published new guidance recommending that pancreatic cancer diagnoses are made more quickly. The new guide called the Best Practice Timed Pathway, calls on health services to diagnose people within 21 days of GP referral. This means that many more people could get their diagnosis earlier and therefore have greater access to treatments or surgery potentially transforming the landscape for pancreatic cancer patients. In the USA, the federal budget has been approved, allocating $15 Million USD to dedicated pancreatic cancer research through the Pancreatic Cancer Research Program at the Department of Defense. This marks the fifth consecutive year of funding for the program, and is a testament to the unwavering advocacy efforts of the pancreatic cancer community. Each advancement in pancreatic cancer globally brings hope to patients and their families. PanKind's mission remains clear: to triple the survival rate by 2030 and improve the quality of life for those affected by this disease. We're committed to collaborating closely with the global pancreatic cancer community as we work toward this common goal. Read more about our research strategy: https://lnkd.in/gbGfgpsY #pancreaticcancer #cancerresearch #cancer

23andMe has announced a massive partnership and study with 20 lung cancer advocacy organizations for a groundbreaking genetics study. This study aims to advance lung cancer research and build a comprehensive, open-source database of patient-reported data on lung cancer. Courtney Granville, Chief Scientific Officer at GO2 for Lung Cancer, emphasized the importance of this study, stating, "There is a great need to better define the underlying genetics of lung cancer. We are privileged to stand together with the research and patient advocacy communities to contribute to this effort to better define inherited risk for lung cancer and inform our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat people. Ultimately, the learnings from this study will improve outcomes for future generations." This study is a significant step forward in understanding the genetics of lung cancer, which could lead to improved detection, risk reduction, and care. Read the full release below. #lungcancer #cancer #oncology https://lnkd.in/g5NBRume

Thanks to Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) for highlighting our latest publication on engineering extracellular vesicles (EVs) to target ovarian cancer cells. This study represents a significant step forward in the fight against ovarian cancer, a disease that affects thousands of women worldwide. By engineering EVs, we have developed an innovative method to specifically target these vesicles to cancer cells, which can greatly enhance the precision and effectiveness of treatments. In Australia, we are very fortunate to have a world-class philanthropic organisation like OCRF that has provided invaluable support to countless researchers over the years. Their contribution has been crucial in advancing research with the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life for many. https://lnkd.in/gDDHJ2gh "WHAT'S NEW? Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising therapeutic tools for cancer, owing to qualities such as immunogenicity and low toxicity. Enhancing the accumulation of EVs in specific cells and tissues, however, requires improved targeting capabilities. In this study, EVs were modified with ephrin-B2 to explore the effects on targeting and the potential use of EVs specifically against ovarian cancer. Targeting the ephrin-B4 receptor on ovarian cancer cells significantly improved EV uptake by ovarian cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. The engineered EVs maintained their characteristic properties while also exhibiting high targeting efficacy, demonstrating the potential of EVs in cancer therapeutics." We are excited to share these results and continue collaborating to develop innovative solutions in the fight against cancer. The University of Queensland National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Wiley