Renowned cancer researcher Dr. Patrick Lee made headlines around the world in 2009 with his discovery that the human reovirus effectively targets and kills breast cancer stem cells.
“Cancer stem cells are mother cells that just keep churning out new cancer cells,” explains Dr. Lee, Cameron Chair in Basic Cancer Research at Dalhousie Medical School. “No matter how many cancer cells you kill, you can’t stop the cancer until you kill the cancer stem cells.”
Unfortunately, cancer stem cells are immune to chemotherapy and radiation, which is why so many cancers recur. Dr. Lee’s recent discovery – with surgeon Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, postdoctoral fellow Dr. Paola Marcato and research assistant Cheryl Dean – is a major breakthrough.
On the Road To A Cure
Dr. Lee and his team will use the RNA-interference (RNAi) Library to learn on how reovirus goes about destroying cancer cells, cancer stem cells and even cancers that have metastasized.
The RNAi Library will also accelerate Dr. Lee’s investigations of a crucial tumour suppressor protein called p53, which prevents DNA-damaged cells from becoming cancerous. “Learning how p53 works and why it loses its protective function in cancer could well lead to a cure,” says Dr. Lee.
This year the Molly Appeal will raise funds to purchase Atlantic Canada’s first RNA-interference (RNAi) Library. This facility will give researchers 70,000 genetic tools they can use to determine the function of every gene in a cell.