[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Fraser_Graeme.jpg” caption=”Graeme Fraser. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay”]For McMaster's Graeme Fraser, the annual Terry Fox Run on Sept. 18 is just a fragment of his dedication to help fight cancer. But if truth be told, he would be happy if it were the last Terry Fox Run he ran. After all, his ultimate race is in the lab, as he strives to find a cure for the disease that claimed the life of Terry Fox 25 years ago.

With funding from the Terry Fox Foundation, the hematologist investigates and develops novel dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines to treat patients with hematological malignancy, specifically chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Ultimately, he hopes the vaccine will enhance the immune system to recognize and kill cancer cells.

This summer, Fraser received a $100,000 National Cancer Institute of Canada Terry Fox Foundation Academic Oncology Fellowship (2005-2007); which will be divided between two years. The funding supports his continued development toward a career in clinical cancer research.

“The grant support provided through the Terry Fox Foundation is critically important because it allows me to dedicate the vast majority of my time toward research projects,” he says. “I believe the Foundation supported my particular area of research because it is consistent with the vision of the Terry Fox Foundation, which aims to support researchers as they attempt to better understand cancer, develop new ways to treat it, and ultimately work towards a cure.”

Fraser, who came to McMaster in 2001 to pursue specialist training in Hematology, is a clinical scholar in the Department of Medicine and practices Hematology/Oncology at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. Since qualifying as a specialist in Hematology in 2003, he has been working with research team at the Centre for Gene Therapeutics lead by Jack Gauldie and Ronan Foley.

Over the upcoming months, the group will begin clinical trials to test the vaccine with patients who have leukemia and in effect improve vaccine and chemotherapy for cancer patients.

“At McMaster University, a similar vaccine is being tested as a treatment for patients with melanoma and breast cancer and preliminary results have been promising. As far as we know, this would be the first group to evaluate this type of treatment in leukemia.”

In terms of finding a cure for cancer, or at least, developing a therapeutic vaccine, Fraser is hopeful. “From the standpoint of the field of immune therapy, I'm optimistic these types of approaches will be able to teach the immune system to kill cancer cells. It has shown promise in pre-clinical human and animal trials; the vaccine does what it's supposed to do. We're optimistic that this exciting and new treatment will have a profound impact on patient care down the road.”

Another benefit of the vaccine is it is non-toxic, he adds. “This is different than conventional therapy which produces acute side effects. This therapy appears to be quite safe and less toxic, there are less side effects and patients' quality of life is dramatically improved. This could have profound impacts on treatment because of its low levels of toxicity and because of the potential for it to be effective.”

Fraser will run in the Terry Fox Run this month, as he has many times in the past. He participates, not only because it supports his field of research, but also, because like many others, cancer has claimed members of his family and friends. “My original reason for pursuing oncology was a friend of mine passed away from cancer while I was doing my undergraduate medical degree, and last summer my uncle was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Unfortunately cancer touches every family,” says Fraser, who will provide an introduction at the Terry Fox Run on Sept. 18.

Jeffrey Sher, one of the main organizers of the Terry Fox Run at McMaster, holds similar sentiments. “The 25th Anniversary of the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope has special resonance for anyone who saw Terry as he ran through Canada in 1980,” says the clinical assistant professor in McMAster's department of surgery and chief of the Department of Eye Medicine and Surgery at Hamilton Health Sciences. “I was privileged to see him run down University Avenue when I was a University of Toronto ophthalmology resident. I still remain inspired by that brief encounter, and it is important for those too young to remember him to understand and support his great dream of conquering cancer. So we're hoping for a multi-generation spectrum of participants this year.”

Registration for the run is from 12-1 p.m. inside the McMaster University Student Centre, and participants are encouraged to register early in that time bracket, since there will be entertainment and a number of introductions and presentations from cancer survivors as well as Graeme Fraser. Hamilton mayor Larry DiIanni, McMaster University president Peter George, Juravinski Cancer Centre president Bill Evans, as well as one-legged triathlete Grant Darby will all be present to start off the event. The emcee for the event is local radio personality and Hamilton Ward 2 councilor Bob Bratina. The run itself will follow.

The group start is outside the student centre – 5k or 10k – all on paved McMaster University grounds. The course itself is mapped at 5k, with a second loop done by 10k participants. Run, walk, roller blade, push a stroller, ride a bike, walk or run your dog (leashes required). Times are not formally recorded, in keeping with the non-competitive nature of the event requested by Terry Fox himself.

Registration for the run is required in person on Sept 18. Registration forms can be downloaded ahead of time from www.terryfoxrun.org. There are teams this year from McMaster University, St Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Juravinski Cancer Centre, Mohawk College. You can sign up online for one of these if appropriate for you, or just come out as an individual participant.

To register from the Terry Fox Run website select Register & Collect Pledges Online. On the left hand side select Search for an Existing Team to Join. Select Corporate/Group Team, then search for one of the following teams: McMaster University Staff & Students, St. Joseph's Hospital, Juravinski Cancer Centre – Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), Mohawk College  Hamilton. Donations can be made online, or submitted at the time of registration.

For further information about the McMaster University Terry Fox Run, contact: Jeffrey Sher idoc@bellnet.ca or Ted or Lisa Scott ted.scott@sympatico.ca