McMaster researchers awarded $1.5M by Canadian Cancer Society

Three cancer studies led by McMaster University researchers are among 52 new
research projects announced today by the Canadian Cancer Society.

“We are very proud to support the innovative and groundbreaking research taking place
in Hamilton and across the province,” said Martin Kabat, CEO of the Canadian Cancer
Society, Ontario Division, who made the announcement at a campus reception. “We are
grateful to the generosity and efforts of our donors and volunteers who make this
research possible.”

The grants for McMaster researchers totaled more than $1.5 million. Nationally the
grants totaled $22 million.

“At McMaster we see our role as taking part in a relay for life,” said Fiona McNeill,
associate vice-president, research and international affairs at McMaster University. “We
take the baton of generous support from the Canadian Cancer Society, its donors and
volunteers, and our scientists develop innovative advances towards cancer cures and
better care that that can be passed on to patients and their families. This is very much
appreciated.”

The three McMaster researchers and the research grants are:

Mick Bhatia $423,000

Mick Bhatia's lab continues its groundbreaking research turning adult skin into human
stem cells to generate different types of blood cells. This study aims to identify the
molecules required for reprogramming these cells, focusing on the Gli3 gene. The goal
is to create an unlimited source of blood for cancer patients requiring bone marrow
transplants to fight the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

Bhatia is a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences and director of
McMaster's Stem Cell and Cancer Research Institute.

Hsien Seow $671,600

Research by Hsien Seow has shown that end-of-life cancer patients in Ontario who
received more homecare nursing hours were less likely to require hospital visits. This
project will extend this research to three more provinces, investigate the effect of more
homecare nursing hours on total healthcare costs, and determine whether patients use
care differently depending on their province.

Seow is an associate professor of oncology and he holds the Cancer Care Ontario
Research Chair in Health Services Research.

John Valliant $412,400

John Valliant is studying a way to develop a more precise, non-invasive method to
detect breast cancer. With this funding, he will create an imaging probe to help identify
insulin receptors that are abundant on the surface of breast cancer cells, with the goal
of using this early change in cancer cells for screening and to predict the best
treatment options.

Valliant is an associate professor of chemistry and CEO and scientific director of the
Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization.