December 16, 2016

Retinoic Acid maybe an effective therapy

I am Dr. Paola Marcato, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at Dalhousie University. the Canadian Breast Cancer Society, the Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute and the QEII Foundation, have funded my research lab and colleagues: Drs. Carman Giacomantonio, Lucy Helyer and Ian Weaver.

Our research is to investigate if a vitamin A metabolite, retinoic acid may be an effective therapy for certain triple-negative breast cancer patients. Retinoic acid is a highly effective treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia; however, when retinoic acid was applied generally to treat other cancers, including breast cancer it was not effective.

Our data suggests that retinoic acid-based therapy was not successful in the treatment of breast cancer because it was applied to all cancer patients, without considering key differences between individual patient tumors. Our data suggests that there are specific and measurable criteria that can predict if a triple-negative breast cancer tumor will respond well to retinoic acid treatment.

We propose experiments that will identify and measure these qualities in triple-negative breast cancer patients. Furthermore, we will use a pre-clinical model to test how effective our prediction tools are in determining tumor response to retinoic acid.

Completion of this project will lead to improved treatment for triple-negative breast cancer patients and hence the improved survival of these patients currently lacking targeted therapy options.

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.