Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

How does one personalize cancer treatment? The secret is in the genes. DNA dictates the behaviour of every cell in our bodies. Comparing cancer cells with healthy ones, we find out what makes tumours tick: that is, what drives their biological clocks and makes their cells divide uncontrollably. It starts with the genome, a full DNA sequence. At the BC Cancer Agency, teams are sequencing a growing number of participants, giving them hope for a cure. The goal? Identify targeted drugs which kill cancer cells and spare healthy ones. The promise? Better treatment with fewer side effects. How does one choose the right drug? One approach is to study gene networks. When DNA is altered, a delicate balance is swayed. A cell's finely tuned machinery may malfunction, throwing interacting genes into disarray. Computer programs which make sense of gene networks may expedite the discovery of targeted therapies. Another approach is to find mutation signatures, characteristic patterns of DNA changes. Many things create distinct mutation signatures: aging, cigarette smoke, UV light, even other DNA changes. Biologists have found ways to decipher signatures. Now to put them to use: if a signature can trace a tumor's origins, it may help doctors choose the best treatment. My job is to study networks and signatures to test their helpfulness in guiding therapy. The challenge is to connect discoveries to treatment options. My goals are to (1) start by connecting specific networks and signatures to targeted therapies and (2) find ways to apply this approach to as many cancers as possible. Every person is different. Every cancer is personal. Indiscriminate treatments limit our capacity to treat and cure. They cause painful toxicity and decrease quality of life. Now, we are learning how to cater treatments to the individual. There are already powerful approaches for understanding the inner workings of a cell. Extending this to personalized medicine is the next step to better treatment.