[news 2009-2010]

Non-invasive treatment alternative for prostate cancer among Queen’s cancer research highlights at Eastern Ontario Innovation Forum

March 10 , 2010

KINGSTON, ON – Promising results from a small, early clinical trial for treating prostate cancer will be among the scientific advances highlighted by Queen’s University researchers at Connect for the Cure, an innovation forum focused on cancer research in Eastern Ontario universities, hospitals and cancer centres.

The event, which includes presentations from University of Ottawa, the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Queen’s University and the Queen’s Cancer Research Institute, takes place Thursday, March 11 at the Sheraton Ottawa hotel.

The prostate cancer study, while still very preliminary, offers hope as a non-invasive, less risky alternative to existing post-surgery treatments such as hormone therapy.

An overview of the study, titled “Teaching an old drug new tricks,” will be presented by Dr. David Barnes of Nometics Inc., a startup company that is developing products and therapies based on this and related research. Nometics was formed by PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen’s.

Other Queen’s speakers include:  

Dr. Harriet Feilotter (Pathology and Molecular  Medicine)  on “Development of integrative molecular profiling capabilities in ovarian cancer.”

Dr. Lois Mulligan (Pathology and Molecular  Medicine) on “Discovery and validation of novel targeted RET Kinase inhibitor”;

Dr. Jeremy Squire (Queen’s Cancer Research Institute) on “Novel therapeutic and prevention strategies for cancer”;

Dr. Hugh Walker (Oncology, Community Health & Epidemiology) on “Has the cancer system become more effective in the last 20 years?”

The one-day event is sponsored by The Ottawa Technology Transfer Network (OTTN), PARTEQ Innovations, Queen’s University, the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation (OCRI).