Making strides in neuroendocrine tumour research

Cancer Research Society and Carcinoid NeuroEndocrine Tumour Society Canada unite to fund promising study in Toronto

MONTREAL, Nov. 4, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - The Cancer Research Society, in partnership with Carcinoid NeuroEndocrine Tumour Society of Canada (CNETS Canada) is awarding $120,000 to Dr. Trevor Pugh and his team of researchers from University Health Network, located in Toronto, to continue their study on gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Their research aims to find a molecular signature that would identify patients who could benefit from a group of drugs called mTOR inhibitors.

Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumours belong to a group of rare cancers that are incurable once they have metastasized and are not amenable to surgery. An alternative treatment option is conventional chemotherapy but it has been shown to have limited effect on these neuroendocrine tumours. A more targeted approach is the use of a group of drugs called mTOR inhibitors that have shown anticancer activity in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

« Our goal is to find a molecular signature that would allow us to distinguish the patients who would benefit from mTOR inhibitors from those who would not. With this objective, we are sequencing the DNA and RNA of each gene in the tumours of patients while they are undergoing treatment with an mTOR inhibitor, and comparing this data to tumours removed prior to treatment. This will allow us to observe the genes that change in response to the treatment. These results will help us to understand how neuroendocrine tumours act during treatment, and the goal will be to lead to new ways to adapt the treatment of these types of cancer and others that are treated with similar medications, » explained Dr. Pugh. "The support of CNETS Canada and the Cancer Research Society comes at a very timely point in neuroendocrine tumour research and treatment, as genome profiling and treatment with targeted therapies are maturing to have major impact on treatment of patients. Our study brings together clinical and basic research teams to observe genetic changes of neuroendocrine tumours in patients undergoing active treatment with targeted therapies. Such knowledge will enable physicians to select patients most likely to benefit from mTOR inhibitors and expedite alternative treatments in patients unlikely to respond," added Dr. Pugh.

« Our collaboration with CNETS Canada aims to support the launch of an important project for research into new options for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours, », stated Andy Chabot, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Research Society. « We want to be proactive and make every effort to find solutions for this type of cancer, which has a five-year survival rate of approximately 40%. »

« We hope that this research will lead to new treatment options in the very near future directly for the patient community that worked so hard to raise these funds, » stated Jackie Herman, President of CNETS Canada. « With so few neuroendocrine specific research projects underway in Canada, we are delighted to be in a position to partner with the Cancer Research Society in support this project and are very optimistic, expecting significant outcomes, » added Ms. Herman.

About the Cancer Research Society
The Cancer Research Society is a national not‐for‐profit organization whose sole mission is to fund research on all types of cancer, thereby contributing to the advancement of science aimed at preventing, detecting, and treating this disease. The Cancer Research Society is devoted to both basic research, which has resulted in several innovative discoveries, as well as environment‐cancer, a field in which the Society is considered to have played a pioneering role in Canada. During the past five years, the Cancer Research Society has granted over $ 51 million to some 582 cancer research projects across the country through diverse fundraising activities. For more information on cancer, on the Cancer Research Society or to support research, visit www.CancerResearchSociety.ca .

About CNETS Canada
CNETS Canada is a national Canadian charity directly supporting the needs of individuals who have been diagnosed with NET cancer. The beginning goes back to 2001 with a small group of Toronto based Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET cancer) patients who funnelled their feelings of loneliness in their diagnosis into a passionate drive to support each other and share information among themselves and other patients. This ultimately led to the formation of CNETS Canada in 2007, obtaining charitable status in 2008. From the passion of these few patients a well-respected organization has been formed with great success being achieved in many areas within a very short period of time. Today, with a board of nine directors with varying backgrounds including research, nuclear medicine, business, and finance, CNETS Canada offers patient support over the telephone and in‐person meetings through Support Groups and contacts across Canada. We support neuroendocrine cancer research, raise awareness and provide patient education. CNETS Canada also advocates for patient access to life saving diagnostics and treatment options. For more information, visit www.cnetscanada.org .

SOURCE: Cancer Research Society

For further information: Nathalie Giroux, Deputy Executive Director, Cancer Research Society, [e-mail], 514-861-9227, ext. 248; Jackie Herman, President, CNETS Canada, [e-mail], 416?848?3703