Research in Canada: The 'Google Map of Cancer Cells' Could Help Fight Prostate Cancer Tumors

Prostate cancer research currently underway at the University of Saskatchewan is being considered a world first and if successful could help save the lives of thousands of men.

Researchers in Canada are working to find how they can block that pathways that actually drive tumor growth. Their research is rooted in understanding how prostate cancer tumors develop and progress. 

Scientists surveyed the entire genome which totals to 16,000 genes and were able to narrow down which genes they could specifically target to selectively kill the tumor cells but now the healthy normal cells. 

The center goal around this research is to eradicate a tumor in patient's that no longer are responding to standard treatment options like radiation and surgery. They're taking this approach and applying it to prostate cancer tumors, particularly castrate-resistant prostate cancer, which generally has no other treatment option other than chemotherapy.  

If this works, there is a huge possibility that this approach could be applied to many other types of cancers. This forward thinking research has been deemed the "Google map for cancer cells."

Simply put, this forward-thinking research is being called the “Google map for cancer cells.”

“We want to block the pathways that are actually driving tumours, how can we actually block from signals that go from A to B,” said Franco Vizeacoumar, research scientist with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency and professor at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine.

This research is backed by the Movember Foundation through Prostate Cancer Canada. A total $87,000 dedicated towards the research, and it is one of 14 Movember Discovery Grants awarded to Canadian researchers.

The winners were selected based on novel research projects that have the potential to make a significant difference in advancements to prostate cancer treatment and cancer.