SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team: Targeting Brain Tumour Stem Cell Epigenetic and Molecular Networks
Team Leaders
Overview:
The SU2C Canada Cancer Stem Cell Dream Team’s goal is to understand the abnormalities in cancer stem cells found in brain tumors, specifically glioblastomas in adults and children and posterior fossa ependymomas in infants. Team members are working to find vulnerabilities in these cells, to identify new drugs that may be effective against them, and to test these drugs in preclinical mouse models.
Malignant brain tumors remain deadly and incurable. This Dream Team is focusing on glioblastomas in adults and children and on posterior fossa ependymomas in infants. Treatment options for both tumor types are limited, leaving a dismal outlook for these patients.
Researchers previously discovered that at the root of these tumors lies a relatively small population of cells known as brain tumor cancer stem cells (BTSCs). These cells are resistant to known forms of therapy. When patients undergo treatment, these cells survive and regrow the whole tumor, causing a relapse.
To better understand these cells, the team is taking a three-tiered approach: 1) analyzing BTSCs from 70 patients using cutting-edge technology to reveal their full biological profile; 2) testing a panel of drugs on these tumors to find promising candidates; and 3) performing tests on these promising drugs in preclinical mouse models to predict efficacy in human patients.
Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the team is providing new insights into BTSC biology, offering a promising avenue by which to solve a long-standing problem.
Scientific Abstract (PDF)
Team Progress Updates (PDF)
Team Roster
Peter B. Dirks
Hospital for Sick Children
Leader
Samuel Weiss, PhD
Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary
Co-leader
Cheryl H. Arrowsmith, PhD
University of Toronto
Principal Investigator
Gary D. Bader, PhD
University of Toronto
Principal Investigator
Amy A. Caudy, PhD
University of Toronto
Principal Investigator
Nada Jabado, PhD
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Principal Investigator
Mathieu Lupien, PhD
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Principal Investigator
Marco A. Marra, PhD
BC Cancer Agency
Principal Investigator
Trevor J. Pugh, PhD
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Principal Investigator
Michael Salter, MD, PhD
Hospital for Sick Children
Principal Investigator
Michael D. Taylor, MD, PhD
Hospital for Sick Children
Principal Investigator
Michael D. Tyers, PhD
University of Montreal
Principal Investigator
Wendy Marie Durigon
Jessica’s Footprint, Guelph
Advocate
Patrick Sullivan
Team Finn Foundation
Advocate
Fiona Coutinho
Hospital for Sick Children
Project Manager
Tracey Richards
Hospital for Sick Children
Project Manager
Publications
A Targetable EGFR-Dependent Tumor-Initiating Program in Breast Cancer
Savage P, Park M, et al. (2017)
Cell Reports 21, 1140–1149.
Fate Mapping of Human Glioblastoma Reveals an Invariant Stem Cell Hierarchy
Lan X, Jörg DJ, Cavalli FMG, et al. (2017)
Nature 549:227-232.
SMuRF: A Novel Tool to Identify Regulatory Elements Enriched for Somatic Point Mutations
Guilhamon P, Lupien M (2018)
BMC Bioinformatics. 19(1):454.
