Canadian Cancer Society Research

Such exciting news! Huge congratulations to @wajihjawhar.bsky.social and his team. We're proud to partner with @terryfoxresearch.bsky.social to support early-career scientists making a real impact in #cancer #research through the @cancersociety.bsky.social Research Training Awards.

Defining personalized treatment strategies for people with hard-to-treat tumors.

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @iselkholi.bsky.social is investigating multiple mutations in a gene called BRAF to understand how they promote #cancer growth and treatment resistance. This could lead to new treatments and better survival for people with these mutations.

Learn more: is.gd/eiibhA

#CCTG spotlights the BRC8 clinical trial recognizing #WorldLungCancerDay: Researchers are investigating if regular MRI surveillance can be as effective as MRI with preventive brain radiation for people with small cell #lungcancer.
#SolvingCancerTogether

Trial page -> buff.ly/mPsQZyN

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @caitlynmourcos.bsky.social studies how the #brain and cancer cells communicate. By understanding and intercepting those messages, she aims to identify treatment targets that can reduce #cancer spread and make recurrence less likely.

Learn more: is.gd/sdwaPV

Fantastic news! We're very proud to support Audrey-Anne Lavoie. It's inspiring to see Research Training Award recipients making meaningful contributions to science and advancing #cancer #research.

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @aprilkhademi.bsky.social and her team are using #AI to speed up and improve the accuracy of breast #cancer diagnoses. This could help pathologists with hard diagnostic decisions, leading to better outcomes for people with cancer.

Learn more: is.gd/Cso85k

Thanks to @uhn.ca , generous donors and expert reviewers, we’re connecting #cancer and #NF1 researchers, patients and advocates. Together, we aim to improve cancer prevention, enable earlier diagnosis and identify new treatments – leading the way to a future without cancer.

Current treatments for sarcomas (soft tissue #cancer) don’t always work well. @dkirschmdphd.bsky.social and his team have tested effective immunotherapies for non-NF1 sarcomas and are now exploring whether they work on NF1-related sarcomas. This could transform care and increase survival rates.

To understand why people with #NF1 develop untreatable malignant nerve tumours, Drs Dalia Barsyte Lovejoy and Suganth Suppiah are studying the genetic mutations that trigger this change. They are also then testing new drug therapies that may be effective against these tumours.

Because people with #NF1 are more likely to develop #cancer, Dr Carolina Barnett Tapia is working to develop better cancer screening guidelines for people with NF1. This work could change the way people with NF1 are monitored and treated, leading to earlier cancer detection and better outcomes.

We’re excited to announce the recipients of our latest round of funding: the @cancersociety.bsky.social ‬/ @uhn.ca Research Grants on #Neurofibromatosis! These grants aim to improve #cancer prevention, detection and care for people with this common inherited disorder.

Read on to learn more…

To understand why people with #NF1 develop untreatable malignant nerve tumours, Drs Dalia Barsyte Lovejoy and Suganth Suppiah are studying the genetic mutations that trigger this change. They are also then testing new drug therapies that may be effective against these tumours.

Because people with #NF1 are more likely to develop #cancer, Dr Carolina Barnett Tapia is working to develop better cancer screening guidelines for people with NF1. This work could change the way people with NF1 are monitored and treated, leading to earlier cancer detection and better outcomes.

#CCTG’s SKC1 trial has opened in Canada. This study is evaluating whether adding immunotherapy to surgery can improve outcomes for individuals with advanced skin cancer. #SkinCancer #SolvingCancerTogether

buff.ly/51M10Dh

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @fgaiti.bsky.social and his team are pinpointing mutations that signal lymphoma, aiming to intercept this #cancer before it develops. This could significantly improve the chances of successful treatment for those at higher risk. Learn more: is.gd/djdklR

We’re thrilled to share the new Research Information Outreach Team (RIOT) website! Through blogs, educational resources and more, these passionate @cancersociety.bsky.social volunteers are making #cancer #research more accessible and building a well-informed community.

Visit: ccsriotdesir.ca

Improving quality of life for people with brain cancer Dr Melanie Keats is using exercise to help people living with glioblastoma enjoy life.

July 16 is #Glioblastoma Awareness Day! To commemorate, we’re excited to highlight @cancersociety.bsky.social -funded researcher Dr Melanie Keats – she is championing brain #cancer by improving quality of life for those affected by glioblastoma. #GBMAwarenessDay

To read, please visit: is.gd/X94UTq

As we observe #BoneCancerAwarenessMonth, it is time to recognize the need for better treatments and support for those living with bone cancer through trials like SC29, exploring new ways to manage pain using targeted #RadiationTherapy. #CCTG
Trial page - > buff.ly/DbQoPiH

Important dates:

Submissions open: August 8, 2025
Abstracts due: October 8, 2025
Full applications due: January 28, 2026
Funding start date: June 2026

For more information, visit cancer.ca/en/research/...

Projects should meaningfully engage people affected by or at risk of #cancer throughout the #research process.

Each grant offers up to $525,000 – $175,000 a year for 3 years.

Researchers may also apply to special funding calls to support high-quality research in a variety of areas.

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: We’re once again opening applications for the @cancersociety.bsky.social Challenge Grants! This program will support #research projects aimed at solving a problem or challenge that is meaningful to people affected by or at risk of #cancer.

Dr Robert Kridel, CCS-funded researcher

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @rkridel.bsky.social is finding new treatments for people with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, a rare blood #cancer. This work could lead to urgently needed clinical trials and better survival for people affected by this rare disease.

Learn more: is.gd/kRK0Co

Meet Dr Julia Burnier, a Canadian Cancer Society funded researcher at McGill University. Dr Burnier is working toward a new type of test called a liquid biopsy: a quicker and less invasive way to collect samples used to detect cancer-related biomarkers.

“Traditional biopses are invasive, costly and only give us a static view of a patient’s disease. Liquid biopsy will this gap – offering a non-invasive alternative that can be repeated over time.”

Learn more about Dr Burnier’s work here: cancer.ca/en/about-us/...

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: Supported by the Hecht Foundation, @vukstambolic.bsky.social is studying the impact of excess body weight on breast #cancer aiming to develop tailored treatments that could improve outcomes for people facing the disease.

Learn more: is.gd/aA3jVd

Access to cancer care should be equitable for all—but for trans and gender-diverse patients, significant gaps still exist. Dr Jennifer Croke hopes to reshape cancer care and improve outcomes for a community often overlooked in medical spaces. 🏳️‍🌈

Find out more: bit.ly/45qstHD

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @gelarehzadeh.bsky.social and her team are testing a new non-invasive approach to diagnosing brain tumours. This method could detect brain #cancer earlier, predict treatment response and forecast its likelihood of spreading.

Learn more: is.gd/xywi73

Reminder for early-career #cancer researchers: If you're interested in CIHR-ICR's upcoming ECR workshop (Calgary, Oct. 31–Nov. 1), the deadline for applications is Monday, June 23. Don’t miss this #ProfessionalDevelopment opportunity! Apply here: cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/53480.html

Today is #WorldKidneyCancerDay. #CCTG is committed to advancing kidney cancer research through clinical trials that improve treatment and patient outcomes. Our ongoing work helps shape evidence-based care for patients across Canada. #SolvingCancerTogether

Weekly #cancerresearch highlight: @noorad.bsky.social is studying how radiation treatment for brain tumours affects cognitive function in children. These findings could help improve outcomes for children living with and beyond brain #cancer.

Learn more: is.gd/afCgB7