A team composed of Dr. Dominique Trudel, Anne-Marie Mes-Masson, Dr. Arielle Elkrief and Réjean Lapointe received $400,000 in funding over two years through the Genomics Integration Program—Human Health supported by Génome Québec, to integrate genomic medicine in clinical settings.

This team is one of 12 research teams, from seven universities across Québec to have received major funding for genomics. The total investment is over $4.4M, including funding from public-private partners.

Ovarian cancer in the line of fire

Through their project, these four scientists at the CHUM Research Centre (CRCHUM), in partnership with the CHUM’s OPTILAB team, hope to create infrastructure to help doctors identify the most efficient and least toxic anti-cancer treatment for each individual.

The first step is a pilot project conducted with some twenty patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Their tumours are prepared and analyzed with advanced genetic sequencing technology.

After analysis of the results and the aggregation of other clinical information, the research team will produce a personalized clinical report, which will help the medical team choose the treatment that is best adapted to each patient. The patient will also have the opportunity to check-in with the care team and confirm that the chosen treatment respects their values and preferences.

Note that for the purposes of this project, the CRCHUM’s molecular pathology core facility will be accredited following the same standards as CHUM laboratories.

If this approach to treatment is conclusive, this precision medicine project could be expanded to other types of cancers.
 

To find out more about all the projects funded by Génome Québec.