Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Canadian Cancer Statistics estimates that >2,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with gliomas, a type of brain tumour, in 2015 alone. Despite their relatively common occurrence, current therapies against gliomas are often only marginally effective, and new, more effective treatments are desperately needed. For instance, glioblastomas, the most common and severe type of glioma, are generally associated with a survival of only ~15 months. Oligodendrogliomas (ODGs) are lower-grade gliomas that are of particular interest because they generally present a better prognosis than their high-grade counterparts. Cancer is a genetic disease that arises when mutations occur in specific genes. Genes can be defined as discrete units of DNA that contain instructions on how to construct individual proteins; proteins, in turn, are complex molecules that carry out specific functions within the cell. The amount of protein produced is largely dependent on the expression level of the gene, which can itself be modulated by several processes. Though each tumour is unique, many types and subtypes of cancers are characterized by recurrent mutations that contribute to the behaviour of those particular tumours. This holds true for ODGs, which are associated with several genetic abnormalities, including frequent mutations in a gene named Capicua (CIC). The CIC protein is able to regulate the expression of other genes, and preliminary analyses from our group have identified >350 genes whose expression is potentially regulated by CIC. Though CIC is mutated in ~70% of ODGs, little is known about its function in cancer cells. By studying CIC's interaction network and the effect of recurrent mutations on CIC's function, we will be able to uncover the role of CIC mutations in ODG progression. This may in turn lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, providing more effective treatment options for ODGs and for other types of gliomas that are currently associated with a short survival time.