As part of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Breakthrough Team Grants, Francis Rodier, a researcher at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM), will receive major funding to support his research into a better understanding of cancer dormancy and recurrence.

Some cancer cells can survive in the body undetected for years, a state known as “dormancy”. And the scientific literature is clear on this subject: these cells can reactivate and cause cancer to recur long after successful treatment,

Eliminating dormant cancer cells could therefore reduce the risk of relapse.

In this project, the researcher and his team will focus on ovarian tumours with a high recurrence rate.

Using brand new technologies, they will search for vulnerabilities in dormant cancer cells. They will also test new treatment strategies that target the weak points of these cells, in order to reduce resistance to treatment and improve patient outcomes.

Source: Canadian Cancer Society