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Researchers find possible new molecular target for lung cancer treatment
November 2, 2016
Dr.
Jim Dimitroulakos
and his team have found a potential target that could boost the effectiveness of the most common treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy drugs called platins are currently the best treatment for this deadly cancer. However, they only extend survival by about eight months, often with severe side-effects. In addition, 40-50 percent of these cancers are resistant to platins. A better understanding of how platins work could help increase their effectiveness. In results published in
Neoplasia
, Dr. Dimitroulakos and his team found that a gene called Activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) plays an important role in driving tumour cell killing by platins. Combining platins with other drugs that increase ATF3 levels could lead to even more tumour cell killing, which could be a potential new combination approach to treating non-small cell lung cancer. The team will also test whether ATF3 can help identify platin-resistant tumours even before a patient receives treatment, so they can be directed to other therapies.
Co-authors:
Jair Bar, Mohamed S. Hasim, Tabassom Baghai, Nima Niknejad, Theodore J. Perkins, David J. Stewart, Harmanjatinder S. Sekhon, Patrick J. Villeneuve, and Jim Dimitroulakos
Funders:
Cancer Research Society, Canadian Institute for Health Research, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, Joan Sealy Trust, Prostate Cancer Fight Foundation
The Ottawa Hospital: Inspired by research. Driven by compassion
The Ottawa Hospital is one of Canada’s largest learning and research hospitals with over 1,100 beds, approximately 12,000 staff and an annual budget of over $1.2 billion. Our focus on research and learning helps us develop new and innovative ways to treat patients and improve care. As a multi-campus hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, we deliver specialized care to the Eastern Ontario region, but our techniques and research discoveries are adopted around the world. We engage the community at all levels to support our vision for better patient care. See www.ohri.ca for more information about research at The Ottawa Hospital.
University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is home to over 50,000 students, faculty and staff, who live, work and study in both French and English. Our campus is a crossroads of cultures and ideas, where bold minds come together to inspire game-changing ideas. We are one of Canada’s top 10 research universities—our professors and researchers explore new approaches to today’s challenges. One of a handful of Canadian universities ranked among the top 200 in the world, we attract exceptional thinkers and welcome diverse perspectives from across the globe. www.uottawa.ca
For further information, please contact
Amelia Buchanan
Senior Communication Specialist
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Office: 613-798-5555 x 73687
Cell: 613-297-8315
ambuchanan@ohri.ca