April 6, 2016

How do breast cancer cells move through the body?

Drs. Desnoyer and Lewis at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute in Moncton, NB

Drs. Desnoyers and Lewis are working to understand how breast cancer cells can move throughout the body. Breast cancer becomes more aggressive when normal breast cells change to become invasive by a process called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Following EMT, breast cancer cells can move throughout the body and spread the tumor, an event known as metastasis. In recent years, small molecules called miRNA have been shown to be important in the regulation of EMT and the formation of metastases. Given that miRNAs are fairly easy to detect from biological fluids, they are currently employed as cancer biomarkers.

Drs. Desnoyers and Lewis want to characterize the way these miRNAs contribute to EMT to provide a better understanding of how breast cancer metastasis is regulated, with the goal of identifying novel miRNAs involved in the regulation of EMT and breast cancer metastasis.

Through their research, Drs. Desnoyers and Lewis hope to gain a better understanding of EMT and the metastatic process, which may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. In addition, the novel miRNAs that they identify in their study could be suitable biomarkers to help in the early detection of metastatic breast cancer.

Dr. Guillaume Desnoyers and Dr. Stephen Lewis at the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute in Moncton, New Brunswick received funding from the Breast Cancer Society of Canada through a partnership with the QEll Foundation and the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute.

Breast Cancer Canada Applauds Federal Commitment to Modernize Preventive Health Guidelines

Breast Cancer Canada proudly celebrates the federal government’s response to the External Expert Review (EER) of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care, and

Queens Park: Breast Cancer Canada Calls on Ontarians

Self-Refer for Mammograms as Screening Age Lowers to 40 This pivotal change expands access to life-saving mammograms for millions of women in Ontario, empowering them

Cortney & Connie: Twin sisters carrying the BRCA2 Gene

This year alone, more than 30,000 Canadians are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer. My journey began in 2015, when I was just 29

Manitoba removing barriers for breast screening

Manitoba is taking a significant step forward in breast cancer care with a new plan to lower the age for self-referral mammogram screenings. Currently, women

Progress Through Research

Latest Research

Breast Cancer Canada donations fund life-saving research that directly impacts Canadian patients. That means better answers, bigger breakthroughs – and more personalized treatment for every breast cancer diagnosis.

Patient Tools

Our suite of digital tools are each designed to help individuals better manage their breast cancer journey through education, research and personalized insights, while also elevating the patient voice.

Patient Stories

Every breast cancer journey is unique, but together, these stories paint a powerful picture of progress. Through firsthand accounts from patients and survivors, we share stories that highlight the lived-experiences of breast cancer.

Fuel Progress

Progress happens when we invest in it. Canada is home to some of the world’s brightest minds in research. Together, we are advancing science, ensuring it leads to earlier detection, better treatments, and improved outcomes for patients across the country.