Using Genomics to Prevent and Treat Cancers
Cancer is a major cause of death and illness for people around the world. Mutations and other genome-related phenomena cause cancers to develop, and to become resistant to drugs and other treatments. Identifying the genomic events that result in cancers and that produce treatment-resistant cancers has been a major obstacle for cancer researchers. As Canada Research Chair in Genome Science, Dr. Marco Marra is identifying mutations and other genomic events that lead to currently incurable cancers. This goal has so far eluded scientists largely because of technological limitations. Marra’s research emphasizes developing and applying new technologies to overcome these limitations and to identify the most frequent genomic events that drive cancers. With information on such drivers at hand, new treatment strategies will emerge. Marra’s work also aims to identify genomic events that result in treatment-resistant cancer, with the intention of discovering new ways to combat—or even prevent—treatment-resistant disease, and to produce cures. Many of the approaches used in Marra’s work can also be applied to other human diseases, and even other areas of life sciences research. The translation of his findings to problems encompassing various biological problems and research opportunities represents a tremendous opportunity for new knowledge. Ultimately, the information Marra’s research generates will make it possible to develop new cancer therapies, and to personalize therapy approaches to target the specific mutations that drive an individual patient’s tumours.