Precision medicine: A game changer in fighting cancer
Today, on World Cancer Day, we dare to dream of a future where cancer is no longer a death sentence. At the CHUM, we are making this dream a reality through precision health, the foundation for our work in precision oncology: a revolutionary approach that tailors the treatment to the patient.
Thanks to the support of the CHUM Foundation and the generosity of its donors, four research teams at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM) are spearheading innovative projects that will redefine and revolutionize cancer treatment in the long run. These projects are financed by the Guy Lafleur Fund and will pave the way for major breakthroughs that will directly impact the lives of cancer patients.
Life-changing projects
1. Dr. Isabelle Bourdeau: Ultra-targeted diagnoses
Dr. Bourdeau’s team is looking at how advanced genetic testing can be used to personalize treatment for rare cancers like pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas. This research could significantly improve diagnoses and treatment options for cancer patients.
2. Dr. Arielle Elkrief: A living biobank to shed light on the future
Dr. Elkrief and her team are developing a next-gen living biobank for lung cancer that will help identify key biomarkers. This project will make even more targeted, effective treatments a reality.
3. Dr. Bertrand Routy: An exploration of the mycobiome
Dr. Routy is studying how the mycobiome (gut fungi) and bacteria interact in patients who receive immunotherapy to treat lung cancer. Dr. Routy’s team aims to develop mycobiome-optimal treatments that will be more effective and increase patients’ chances of survival.
4. Dr. Simon Turcotte: A breakthrough for pancreatic cancer
Dr. Turcotte’s team is working on immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer, one of the hardest cancers to diagnose and treat. This project focuses on neoantigens and could offer new options to patients who are often stuck with traditional treatments that are limited and ineffective.
Why precision oncology is the way forward
Unlike traditional approaches, precision oncology can be tailored to each patient’s specific needs and can:
• Provide the right treatment at the right time, maximizing the likelihood of success
• Reduce unnecessary side effects by specifically targeting cancer cells
• Push the boundaries of current treatments and achieve unprecedented results
These projects are not just scientific breakthroughs—they’re also beacons of hope. They give each and every patient the chance to access innovative, promising personalized care.
A testament to your generosity
These ambitious initiatives are made possible thanks to our community’s incredible dedication. The donor-driven Guy Lafleur Fund has so far helped raise over $3.7 million, on top of $500,000 from the Institut du cancer de Montréal. The generosity of our donors is the cornerstone of the CHUM’s scientific advances.
But there’s more! The Guy Lafleur Fund is not alone in the fight against cancer. When you make a donation to the CHUM Foundation, you can earmark it for cancer research—a top priority for the CHUM and CRCHUM. All you have to do is choose “Cancer” from the donation designation options.
Every donation, big or small, turns ambitious treatment ideas into a reality and empowers researchers to make important breakthroughs.
Together, we can act faster than disease
World Cancer Day is an opportunity to remember that the fight against cancer requires all of us to pitch in. Thanks to the CHUM Foundation, CHUM and CRCHUM teams and our generous donors and community, we can continue making inroads toward a future where cancer is better understood, better treated and—maybe one day—gone for good.
Découvrez le travail de ces chercheuses et chercheurs d’exception qui œuvrent au Centre de recherche du CHUM.
