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Research centre awarded landmark grant to advance brain cancer research at SickKids
Summary:
The $3-million grant will support SickKids research into early intervention and new clinical trials for high-grade gliomas.
A team of scientists at the Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre (BTRC) from The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has been awarded a multi-million dollar grant to advance treatment for one of the most common and aggressive brain and spinal cord cancers.
The Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project grant from the Terry Fox Research Institute supports research teams exploring new frontiers in cancer research which may form the basis for innovative cancer prevention, diagnosis or treatment.
This landmark grant, valued at $3 million, will bring together a powerhouse team of SickKids Principal Investigators to launch the “Immune Interception For Malignant Gliomas In Children Adolescents and Young Adults” program led by Dr. Uri Tabori, Section Head of Neuro-Oncology, Senior Scientist in the Genetics & Genome Biology program, Garron Family Cancer Centre Chair and Lead Investigator on the grant.
High-grade gliomas are the primary cause of cancer-related death among children, adolescents, and young adults and currently lack effective treatment options. The program aims to shift the treatment paradigm from reactive to proactive, intervening at the earliest stages of tumour development with immune-based therapies, when tumours are most vulnerable.
“After years of seminal discoveries at the BTRC that have fundamentally changed our understanding of brain tumours, this grant positions us perfectly for the next leap in research and care for children with brain cancer. We’re proud to be leading a Canada-first effort that will support new clinical trials and generate data for centres nationwide,” says Dr. James Rutka, Neurosurgeon, Senior Scientist in the Cell & Systems Biology program and Director of the BTRC.
A legacy of innovation
The Labatt BTRC is the largest brain tumour research centre of its kind in the world. Comprised of scientists at SickKids and University Health Network, the BTRC has pioneered advances in tumour biology, epigenetics and translational therapeutics, with a strong track record of moving discoveries from the lab bench to the bedside. The centre currently leads four international clinical trials for childhood brain cancer and is recognized for its collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.
A new era for brain cancer interception
The program includes three research projects, each led by SickKids scientists in the BTRC, focused on developing novel immune-based therapies to stop tumours early while simultaneously investigating innovative ways to deliver these therapies to patients.
Project One: Uncovering the earliest stages of tumour development
Led by Dr. Peter Dirks, Chief of the Division of Neurosurgery, Senior Scientist in the Developmental, Stem Cell & Cancer Biology program and Harold Hoffman/Shoppers Drug Mart Chair in Paediatric Neurosurgery, this project will explore the role of inflammation and the immune environment in high-grade glioma development. By understanding the conditions that lead to tumour formation, the team aims to intervene and stop tumour growth before they become life-threatening.
Project Two: Demystifying the tumour immune environment
Some gliomas start as low grade, which grow more slowly, before progressing to the more aggressive high-grade gliomas. Led by Dr. Cynthia Hawkins, Division Head of Pathology, Senior Scientist in the Cell & Systems Biology program and Garron Family Chair in Cancer, this project will investigate how the immune system surrounding tumours contributes to this transition.
Project Three: Identifying vulnerabilities in replication repair deficient cancers
Using advanced gene-editing technologies, Tabori is leading a project which aims to identify vulnerabilities in replication repair deficient high-grade gliomas that can be targeted with immune-based therapies. Replication repair deficiency is a rare genetic predisposition syndrome that causes aggressive, treatment-resistant tumours in children.
Two technologies cores will help develop tools to accelerate clinical translation:
- Immunogenomics core: Led by Dr. Adrian Levine, Neuropathologist, this core will use artificial intelligence and novel technologies to provide a unified platform for tumour analysis.
- Delivery core: Led by Dr. James Rutka, this core will develop new methods to deliver immunotherapies past the blood-brain barrier.
Uniting expertise for impact
The program team, led by Dr. Anirban Das, is already planning combined immunotherapy trials and the launch of an immune delivery clinical trial in the coming years, aiming to rapidly translate successful research findings into care for high-risk patients. These trials will be supported by existing partnerships like the Canadian Adolescent & Young Adult Neuro-Oncology Network (CANON), a SickKids-led national collaboration led by Dr. Julie Bennett that brings together multidisciplinary providers to improve care and outcomes for adolescents and young adults with brain tumours.
By intercepting tumours earlier, the project team hopes to change outcomes for families across Canada and are closely aligned with Precision Child Health at SickKids, a movement which aims to deliver individualized care for every patient.
“This grant will allow us to challenge the status quo and move toward truly proactive care for children and young adults with brain cancer,” says Tabori.
Research and development to date has been made possible through the support of the Jack Michael Baker Fund, Nathalie Crosbie Endowment Fund, Jonathan Hill Fund, Rochelle Sherwood Fund, The Wiley Family Foundation, b.r.a.i.nchild, Nelina's Hope, the Meagan Bebenek Foundation, David Nowak and Allyson Whyte-Nowak and Arthur and Sonia Labatt, together with the collective support of donors through SickKids Foundation.