$1M in total awarded to prostate cancer researchers

Toronto, ON – The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada has awarded over a million dollars in funding to 18 research projects across the country.

Selected by the foundation’s scientific and medical advisory committee, the projects include a mix of clinical and basic science pilot studies.

“In our first year in business, we awarded one research grant valued at $30,000. This year we are giving away more than a million dollars to 18 researchers,” says John Blanchard, the foundation’s president and CEO. “With the help of our donors and sponsors, we have expanded our reach and the breadth of our grants. We have funded basic, clinical and translational research from coast to coast. Every year the calibre of funded research improves as we continue to attract the brightest minds in prostate cancer research.”

Grants were awarded to the following projects:

– Molecular mechanisms for cavernous nerve neuroprotection and regeneration following injury due to prostate cancer treatment in diabetic men. Dr Anthony J Bella, MD, University of Ottawa, ON

– Impact of Antioxidants on MRI Markers of Cell Proliferation and Hypoxia Among Men on Active Surveillance With Early Stage Prostate Cancer. Dr Neil Fleshner, MD, FRCSC, MPH, University Health Network, ON

– Do lifetime sun exposure, insulin resistance, and vitamin D predict prostate cancer aggressiveness? Mr Richard Gallagher, MA, Fellow, BC Cancer Agency, BC

– Oncolytic HSV-1 with a 3’UTR regulatory element for prostate cancer specific virotherapy. Dr William Jia, Ph. D, University of British Columbia, BC

– Small Molecule Inhibitors of Prostate Cancer Bone Metastases, Dr Jan Jongstra, PhD University Health Network, ON

– Electro catalytic Detection of Prostate Cancer Biomarkers. Dr Shana Kelley, PhD, University of Toronto, ON

– Identification of Novel Tumour Suppressor Genes in Prostate Cancer. Dr Jacques Lapointe, PhD MD, McGill University, Quebec

– Enhancement of FasL-Mediated Killing of Primary Prostate Cancer Cells. Dr Jeffrey Medin, PhD, Ontario Cancer Institute, University Health Network, ON

– Involvement of I-kappaB kinase-epsilon (IKKe) in dysregulation of cytokine expression and prostate cancer progression. Dr Anne- Marie Mes-Masson, PhD, CHUM – University of Montreal, Quebec

– Expression, regulation and role of the anti-apoptotic Mcl-1 protein in controlling prostate cancer cell survival. Dr Jorg Michels, MD, MRCP (UK), PhD, Fellow, BC Cancer Agency and Deeley Research Centre, BC

– Sulfatase Steriod Inhibitors – a new therapeutic tool for treating Prostate Cancer. Dr Donald Poirier, PhD Post-Doc, University of Laval, Quebec

– SiRNA Knockdown of Androgen Receptors to Treat Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer. Dr Paul Rennie, PhD, University of British Columbia, BC

– Targeting the death receptor pathway of caspase activation for the treatment of prostate cancer. Dr Aaron Schimmer, Ph. D, MD, Post-Doc Fellow, Princess Margaret Hospital, ON

– Role of nitric oxide signaling in hypoxia-induced resistance of prostate cancer cells to the natural cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Dr D. Robert Siemens, MD, FRCSC, Queens University, ON

– The interplay between BMI1 and PTEN in prostate cancer tumourigenesis. Dr Damu Tang, PhD, McMaster University, ON

– Phase 2 study of second-line high-dose Ara-C (cytarabine) in metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer. Dr Ian Tannock, Ph. D, MD, University Health Network, ON

– Androgen Modulation of Protease Activity in a pten-/- Prostate Cancer Model. Dr Geoffrey Wood, Ph. DVSC, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, ON

– Prevalence and age distribution of Prostate Carcinoma and its precursor lesions in African, Asian and Caucasian men in autopsy specimens: a prospective comparative international study with central pat. Dr Alexandre Zlotta, MD, Ph. D, FRCSC, Mount Sinai Hospital, ON