Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, affecting both men and women. Unfortunately, traditional treatments often struggle to combat the most aggressive forms of lung cancer, leading to low survival rates for many patients. My research aims to tackle this problem with a new treatment approach using oncolytic viruses -special viruses that can target and destroy cancer cells. Although these viruses have shown potential in past studies, none have yet been approved for treating lung cancer due to challenges in making them effective enough. In my Ph.D. project, I am working on developing a powerful new therapy using a specific virus called Coxsackievirus B3. This virus has shown promise in attacking lung cancer cells. However, when it is delivered through the bloodstream, the immune system often neutralizes it too quickly, reducing its impact. To solve this problem, I am developing a delivery system using tiny fat particles called lipid nanoparticles - a similar approach to that used in current COVID-19 vaccines. These particles can protect the virus as it travels through the body, allowing it to reach and attack the cancer cells more effectively. By combining this delivery system with other cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and immunotherapy, we hope to boost the ability of the virus to fight lung cancer. If successful, this research could lead to a new and more effective cancer treatment, potentially saving lives and improving the quality of life for patients with this devastating disease.