Joining forces for innovations in brain tumour therapies

07 Feb, 2024

A cure for glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer, continues to elude cancer researchers. A new collaboration called the Queen’s Brain Tumour Translational Program, however, is bringing together a team of experts who are translating their research into personalized, precision approaches to understanding, treating and hopefully eventually developing a cure for this insidious disease.

The Queen’s Brain Tumour Translational Program includes a team of surgeons, anesthetists, neuropathologists, neuroradiologists, nurses, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, social workers, and patient representatives who are committed to improving the way brain tumor care is approached and provided.

Drs. Jamie and Teresa Purzner are lead members of the program and clinician-scientists applying their expertise in genetics, genomics and protein modification to discover new therapies for both pediatric and adult brain tumours.

“Pediatric brain tumours are different from adult brain tumours in that they occur when one part of the brain does not develop normally,” says Dr. Teresa Purzner. “This allows us to pinpoint where it is.” A novel therapy using molecular-based therapies can revert the cancer cells rather than kill them, to allow normal neuron development and a better prognosis.

“Adult brain tumours are more complicated and difficult to isolate,” she says. “We don’t fully understand glioblastoma, and so we are currently focused on prolonging and optimizing quality of life for our patients, rather than curing, which is optimally what we want to do.”

The Queen’s Brain Tumour Translational Program offers an exceptional opportunity to integrate translational research within patient care to improve prognosis and provide quality care. “The program gives our patients access to the latest in personalized therapy techniques while they support our research efforts,” says Dr. Teresa Purzner. “Working with our patients, we believe the program will significantly reduce mortality rates.”

Dr. Jamie Purzner says that the ability to have 50% of their time devoted to research is key to advancing discovery for brain tumours, and that this dedicated time, along with the collaborative approach within the Department of Surgery was a major factor in deciding to join Queen’s University. “Everyone here is a scientist as well as a surgeon,” he says. “We have global expertise in all areas of neurosurgical research.”

“The opportunity to work with exceptional faculty and staff within engineering, computing science and other departments is also critical to discovery,” he adds. “We’re working with people who have a significant interest in surgical techniques and significant expertise to add to our work. Together, we know that the program is going to make a huge impact for our patients and for the field of brain cancer research.”

Joining forces for innovations in brain tumour therapies

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