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Pediatrics

Brain Cancer Canada Awards $100,000 Grant to McGill University for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at McGill University are working to develop a new gene therapy treatment for pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG), an aggressive and often fatal type of brain cancer. The team, led by Dr. Carl Ernst, aims to advance a multigene therapy approach that targets several major cancer pathways simultaneously. This research has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of pHGG, which has a median survival time of less than 18 months after diagnosis. The $100,000 grant from Brain Cancer Canada will support the development of this innovative therapy.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team is working to develop a gene therapy treatment for pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG), an aggressive and often fatal type of brain cancer.
  • The team, led by Dr. Carl Ernst, is using a multigene therapy approach that targets several major cancer pathways simultaneously.
  • This research has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of pHGG, which has a median survival time of less than 18 months after diagnosis.
  • The $100,000 grant from Brain Cancer Canada will support the development of this innovative therapy.
  • The therapy uses a series of gene therapy vectors incorporating tumour suppressors frequently lost in a subgroup of pHGGs.
  • The therapeutic genes have been linked to a promoter activated by a gene highly expressed in brain tumours but inactive in healthy brain tissue.
  • TI Group & Segal GCSE LLP corporate sponsors, as well as the Tomasz Kutasienski Memorial Pack Walk and the Andrea Villamere Memorial community fundraisers, have provided support for this research.
  • Dr. Ernst's team has developed a series of gene therapy vectors incorporating tumour suppressors frequently lost in a subgroup of pHGGs.
  • The researchers are pursuing a multigene strategy that delivers several tumour suppressors concurrently, aiming to maximize the inhibition of cancer cell growth.

Statistics:

  • 2.4 million dollars has been directed to brain cancer research by Brain Cancer Canada since 2015.
  • 25 projects at nine institutions, research centres, and hospitals across Canada have received funding from Brain Cancer Canada.
  • The median survival time for pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) is less than 18 months after diagnosis.
  • 6 grants have been announced during Brain Cancer Awareness Month.
  • Brain Cancer Canada has committed to driving forward innovative solutions and pursuing hope for those affected by brain cancer.

Sources:

  • "Brain Cancer Canada is pleased to award a $100,000 pediatric research grant to Dr. Carl Ernst, professor and scientist at McGill University." (GLOBE NEWSWIRE)
  • "This work simply cannot proceed without philanthropic support. While governments are well-intentioned and provide important research support in Canada, granting agencies do not fund research that is high risk, high reward and so will not invest in new technologies that could be hugely beneficial for brain cancer patients." (Dr. Carl Ernst)
  • "Since 2015, Brain Cancer Canada has directed more than 2.4 million dollars to brain cancer research, to 25 projects at nine institutions, research centres, and hospitals across Canada." (Brain Cancer Canada)

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