NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
December 15, 2014
BC Cancer Agency Researchers Co-Lead $60 Million National Initiative for
Innovative Cancer Treatments
VANCOUVER – BC Cancer Agency researchers will play a key role in the first Network of Centres of
Excellence (NCE) devoted to cancer research, announced today with a $25 million commitment from the
Government of Canada and an additional $35 million from partners across the country.
The NCE, called BioCanRX, will focus on the development of new biotherapeutics – therapies derived
from biological agents - which is one of the most promising areas of research in oncology. The national
team of leading scientists will zero-in on three specific areas of biotherapeutic development: oncolytic
viruses, immune cells and synthetic antibodies.
Dr. Brad Nelson, Director of the BC Cancer Agency’s Deeley Research Centre is co-lead of the NCE’s cell
therapy program. “The NCE and our B.C. funding partners will allow for major advancements in cancer
care. With Canada’s major research centres working collaboratively on the three hottest areas of
oncology, we’ll be able to translate today’s most innovative and promising treatments from the lab to
the clinic,” said Dr. Brad Nelson.
As co-lead of the cell therapy program, Dr. Nelson will advance his cutting-edge investigation into
adoptive T cell therapy - a personalized treatment that enables a patient’s immune system to recognize
and destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Support through the NCE will enable a series of adoptive
T cell therapy clinical trials for Canadian cancer patients.
"The BC Cancer Agency, which is a leader in researching and treating cancer, has an important role to
play in this new partnership of top-flight Canadian researchers, scientists and institutions. I'd like to
acknowledge the BC Cancer Foundation, Genome BC and the NCE for ensuring that BC is a part of this
promising initiative,” said Dr. Nick Foster, Interim Head, BC Cancer Agency.
In addition, Dr. Nelson and colleague Dr. Rob Holt, Head of Sequencing, Michael Smith Genome Sciences
Centre, BC Cancer Agency, will run an Immune Monitoring Program straddling all three focus areas in
the national program. The BC Cancer Agency has leading-edge expertise in genomic sequencing and
multi-parameter immune profiling, - technologies that give researchers unprecedented insight into the
patient’s immune response to their cancer.
“With expertise developed at the BC Cancer Agency, we’ll be able to quickly and comprehensively
measure how strongly patients’ immune systems are responding to these new therapies,” said Dr.
Nelson.
While different biotherapeutics function in different ways, one thing they have in common is the ability
to mobilize and activate the body's natural defense mechanisms to attack cancer cells.
"Biotherapeutics hold great promise because they have the potential to completely eliminate even
advanced cancers with far fewer side effects than many of our current treatments. That in itself is very
exciting," said Dr. John Bell, a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, professor at the
University of Ottawa and the NCE's scientific director.
In B.C., Dr. Nelson and Dr. Holt’s research areas will be supported over the next five years through the
NCE grant and funding from the BC Cancer Foundation, Genome BC and the Michael Smith Foundation
for Health Research.
“BC Cancer Foundation donors have been steadfast supporters of Dr. Brad Nelson’s innovative research
into immunotherapy and adoptive T cell therapy. We are proud to be a part of this incredible national
initiative that provides hope to cancer patients and their families that effective new treatment options
are on the horizon,” said Douglas Nelson, President & CEO, BC Cancer Foundation.
The new NCE team of more than 40 researchers from 17 academic institutions, as well as eight industry
partners and nearly 20 community partners (including provincial organizations and national and regional
charities) will work to accelerate the development of biotherapeutics from laboratory discoveries to
manufacturing to industry sponsorship to clinical trials.
This unique funding strategy will allow the Canadian consortium to develop several therapeutic
strategies in parallel, and then test these alone and in combination, with the goal of finding the most
effective way to help a patient’s own body eliminate cancer.
-30The BC Cancer Agency, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the
incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with
cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with
community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and
treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. Visit www.bccancer.bc.ca.
The BC Cancer Foundation is the bridge that connects philanthropic support and research breakthroughs in cancer
knowledge. As the fundraising partner of the BC Cancer Agency and the largest funder of cancer research in this
province, we enable donors to make contributions to leading-edge research that has a direct impact on
improvements to cancer care for patients in British Columbia. We fund with the goal of finding solutions.
Visit www.bccancerfoundation.com to make a donation or to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of
those affected by cancer.
To arrange an interview:
Jenn Currie
BC Cancer Agency
604-778-6282
[email protected]
Allison Colina
BC Cancer Foundation
604-707-5934
[email protected]