Podcasts about bc cancer agency

Michael Lizardo, MS, PhD, a staff scientist in the Poul Sorensen laboratory at BC Cancer Agency, joins us on OsteoBites to discuss how the pharmacologic inhibition of EIF4A blocks NRF2 synthesis to prevent osteosarcoma metastasis.Dr. Lizardo shares his lab's recent findings in Clinical Cancer Research on how targeting the dysregulated mRNA translation factor eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (EIF4A), via pharmacological inhibitors, prevents the protein synthesis of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2), which is a cytoprotective protein metastatic OS cells require to successfully colonize the harsh microenvironment of the lung. He also discusses how the EIF4A1 inhibitor, CR-1-31B, and a related clinical-grade compound (Zotatifin) prevent OS cell adaptation to oxidative stress (a major stressor in the lung) in 2D and 3D cell culture models, as well as ex vivo lung organotypic cultures. Moreover, he discusses how drug treatment can inhibit lung metastasis and prolong the survival of animal subjects in pre-clinical mouse models of metastatic OS.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: A CONCERNING STUDY ON ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist based in Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Today on the show: our experts weigh in on concerning research linking a certain artificial sweetener--erythritol-- to an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack and stroke. And, they explore an alternative treatment to the epipen when it comes to allergic reactions. CANADA'S POLICE CHIEFS CALL FOR HELP AMID A RISE IN PROTESTS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Thomas Carrique, Commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and President of The Canadian Association of Police Chiefs. Commissioner Carrique explains the call by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on all levels of government to provide additional "financial" and "moral" support as they face an increase in protests. And, he reacts to the news of bomb threats sent to Jewish organizations, synagogues and some hospitals across Canada this morning. MORE LOCAL TORONTO BUSINESSES HURTING DUE TO CONSTRUCTION Libby Znaimer is joined by Chris Theofanidis, Owner of Rise and Dine Eatery and Christine Fedirchuk, Owner of Urban Renewals, both of which are located in East York. Construction in East York is hurting local businesses--many of them mom and pop shops. And according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), within the last five years, almost 75 percent of small businesses in the country say they've taken the hit from construction projects.

Save 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comThis week on the podcast Mikki speaks to epidemiologist Dr Terry Boyle about cancer risk and exercise. They discuss the increase in cancer cases worldwide and what might be at the heart of the increasing prevalence. They talk about how exercise can help reduce risk of cancer, but also how it can help an individual throughout their treatment and what the research tells us about its importance. They also discuss sedentary behaviour, what it means to be sedentary and why this increases the risk of cancer in the general population. And much more.https://people.unisa.edu.au/Terry.BoyleDr Terry Boyle is an epidemiologist in the Australian Centre for Precision Health at UniSA. He has a broad interest in lifestyle factors and chronic disease, with a focus on the role that physical activity and sedentary behaviour play in cancer risk, cancer survival and cancer survivorship. While he conducts research on a range of cancers, his recent studies have been on haematological cancers such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Terry received his PhD from The University of Western Australia in 2012, then received prestigious Fellowships from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) which gave him the opportunity to spend two years at the BC Cancer Agency and the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He joined UniSA in October 2017, before which he was at the Curtin University School of Public Health in Western Australia.Terry has experience in a range of epidemiological and biostatistical methods, including multiple imputation, meta-analysis, directed acyclic graphs, causal inference methods, assessment of lifestyle-related and occupational exposures and increasing participation in epidemiological studies, and is currently leading several projects involving pooling data from multiple national and international studies. Terry also lectures and consults in biostatistics. Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz  or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

THE MEDICAL RECORD: UPTICK IN MPOX CASES, HEALTHCARE WORKER BURNOUT & CANCER PROJECTIONS FOR MEN Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency; Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist at Unity Health Toronto; and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, to discuss the medical news of the day. AMO SURVEY ON HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is asking the province for guidance on how to handle the growing number of homeless encampments in the province. Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrea Horwath, Mayor of Hamilton; and Cam Guthrie, Mayor of Guelph to discuss this issue. CANADA'S POLICE CHIEFS CALL FOR HELP AMID A RISE IN PROTESTS The frequency of protests linked to both domestic and global issues is creating an "unsustainable demand" on policing services across the country, and they are asking governments of all levels to provide the "moral and financial support" necessary to meet the demand for service. Canadian public affairs commentator, consultant, lawyer, policy analyst and writer Tasha Kheiriddin joins Libby Znaimer to drill down on this matter. IS CANADA'S FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM A 'BREEDING GROUND' FOR MODERN SLAVERY? A recently released report by a United Nations special rapporteur says Canada's temporary foreign worker program is a “breeding ground” for contemporary slavery. Libby Znaimer is joined by Guidy Mamann, Toronto immigration lawyer and Partner at Mamann & Sandaluk LLP Immigration Lawyers to discuss this issue.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: WHY ARE MEN MORE RELUCTANT TO VISIT THE DOCTOR? Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, a Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, and Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto. Today: a rural town in Ontario has a creative plan in an effort to attract family doctors to work there. And, why is it that men are more reluctant to pay a visit to the doctor? Meanwhile, last week we started the conversation about cracking down on for pay services that are in the gray zone - one of them being virtual visits with doctors in other areas - there's research which shows that virtual visits with a doctor who knows the patient are great but with someone who is unfamiliar - not so much. BYLAW CHARGES LAID AGAINST COMPANIES FOR BIN LEFT ON BIKE LANE WHERE CYCLIST WAS KILLED Libby Znaimer is now joined by Criminal Defense Lawyer Ari Goldkind. Ari reacts to the news that companies are facing bylaw charges after a garbage bin was illegally placed on a Bloor Street West bike lane where a 24 year old cyclist was killed a couple of weeks ago. And Libby has more questions about how and when police choose to lay charges. Yesterday we heard about yet another illegal protest - this one had about 40 people on Jarvis near the ramp and blocking the highway. OTTAWA UPDATES TRAVEL ADVISORY TO THE UK AMID RIOTS Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Stephanie Carvin, Assistant Professor of International Affairs at Carleton University and an expert on national security issues, and Dr. Stephanie Baker, a sociologist at City University of London who researches the far right. Ottawa has updated a travel advisory cautioning those going to the UK to exercise caution amid riots. So, what is fueling those riots and what has happened there so far?

THE MEDICAL RECORD: IS EXPANDING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PHARMACISTS IN ONTARIO A GOOD IDEA?  Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto and Dr. Alon Vaisman, Infectious diseases physician at the University Health Network (UHN).  Our panel reacts to the province ending its COVID-19 wastewater surveillance program, and other healthcare news of the week.  THE LATEST WAVE OF ANTISEMITISM TARGETING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY Libby Znaimer is joined by MP Melissa Lantsman,  Deputy leader of the Conservative Party (Thornhill) as well as Richard Robertson,  Director of Research and Advocacy at B'nai Brith Canada and Rabbi Jeff Forman of City of David Messianic Synagogue. What we know about the latest wave of antisemitic attacks on the local Jewish community--this time in Vaughan--and our guests weigh in on whether our government leaders, at all levels, are doing enough to address the problem of antisemitism.  TERROR CHARGES LAID IN GTA & HAMAS LEADER ASSASSINATED IN IRAN Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Stephanie Carvin, Assistant Professor of International Affairs at Carleton University and an expert on national security issues, as well as Phil Gurski, President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting and a former Senior Strategic Analyst at CSIS. A father and son were arrested and charged for terrorism related offences according to the RCMP. And, what we know so far about the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, and Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr.  

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN TATTOOS AND BLOOD CANCER Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, a family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal Medicine and Critical Care Physician at Humber River Hospital. Today, our panelists discuss how the amount of coffee we drink and how it affects us individually might come down to our DNA according to research. And, what a study out of Sweden tells us about tattoos and a potential link to a type of blood cancer.   EYLON LEVY, FORMER ISRAELI GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON, WEIGHS IN ON ANTISEMITISM IN CANADA  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Eylon Levy, Co-Founder, Israeli Citizen Spokespersons' Office and Former Israeli Government Spokesman & International Media Advisor to the President of Israel. Eylon is in Toronto this week to, as he explains, strengthen the friendship between Israel and Canada. He also weighs in on the rise of antisemitism including attacks on synagogues here. COURT RULING GRANTS UOFT INJUNCTION TO EVICT ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT  Libby Znaimer is now joined by Eli Mogil, Partner with McCarthy Tétrault LLP who has experience with injunctions but is not involved at all with UofT's legal proceeding against the encampment on their campus, and Rabbi Seth Goren, Chief Executive Officer of Hillel Ontario.  The anti-Israel encampment has been given a court-ordered deadline to leave the UofT grounds by 6 PM this evening. And, Toronto Police issued a statement that says that they will "enforce the court's order...while we won't disclose operational details the court order states that police action is at our discretion". So, what happens next? 

THE MEDICAL RECORD: HOW SOME MEDICATIONS DON'T MIX WELL WITH HEAT WAVES & WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT A NEW INSULIN SHOT FOR DIABETICS Tasha Kheiriddin is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, family doctor practicing comprehensive primary care in Toronto, and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. A first of its kind, one-every-week basal insulin shot will be available to Canadian diabetic patients starting June 30th and what you need to know about certain medications that don't mix very well with heat waves like the one Ontarians are facing this week. AN UPDATE ON HOW UOFT AND MCGILL UNIVERSITY ARE ADDRESSING THE ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENTS Tasha Kheiriddin is now joined by Eli Mogil, Partner with McCarthy Tétrault LLP who has experience with injunctions but is not involved at all with UofT or McGill University's legal proceedings against the encampments on their campuses, as well as Hank Topas Quebec Regional Director of B'nai Brith Canada. Our guests provide an update on the efforts by both UofT and McGill University to get rid of the anti-Israel encampments on their respective campuses. IMMIGRATION IN CANADA: WHAT IS OTTAWA'S PLAN FOR UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS Tasha Kheiriddin is now joined by Guidy Mamann, a Toronto immigration lawyer and Partner at Mamann, Sandaluk & Kingwell LLP Immigration Lawyers. Immigration policy is back in the news as the federal government awarded Quebec 750 million dollars to compensate the province for the costs of housing and social services for migrants. That's in addition to $100 million the province got in January. Ontario bagged $260 million as well, but BC has received nothing, prompting their premier to loudly complain that Ottawa is ignoring the West. But Quebec still isn't happy and Premier Francois Legault is now calling for a referendum on getting full immigration powers for the province.  Is Ottawa's open door immigration policy fueling the next national unity crisis?

THE MEDICAL RECORD: THE TREND OF CANCER DIAGNOSES AT ONTARIO HOSPITALS Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto and Dr. Jamie Spiegelman, Internal medicine and critical care physician at Humber River Hospital. We examine why there's a trend in patients receiving cancer diagnoses in Canadian hospitals (part of the reason being the primary care shortage) and more. NUTRITION AND THE PREVALENCE AROUND EATING ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS Libby is now joined by Rob Hobson, a nutritionist based out of the UK and Mark Schatzker who is the writer-in-residence at the Modern Diet and Physiology Research Center at McGill University and  the author of "The End of Craving". Today our guests discuss the latest research around ultra-processed foods, how it impacts our health and why we crave it so much. GOOGLE MAPS MAKES A SANKOFA SQUARE NAME CHANGE Libby is now joined by Toronto Councillor Brad Bradford of Ward 19 Beaches-East York and Daniel Tate, a concerned citizen, taxpayer and co-organizer of an online petition to reverse the name change of Yonge-Dundas Square. Apparently Google listed Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto as Sankofa Square and we get an update on the petition to reverse the name change. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

THE MEDICAL RECORD: NEW RESEARCH FINDINGS RELATED TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto and Dr. Amol Verma, a staff physician in General Internal Medicine at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. Today we discuss new research on Alzheimer's disease and more healthcare news of the week THE LATEST ON DONALD TRUMP'S HUSH MONEY TRIAL Libby Znaimer is now joined by Brad Polumbo, a conservative commentator and editor-in-chief  & Co-Founder of BASEDPolitics and Larry Haas, a Senior Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council and a former White House communications strategist. This week: an update on former President Donald Trump's hush money trial involving porn star Stormy Daniels. THE GRIEF ISRAELIS ARE FEELING IN THE AFTERMATH OF OCTOBER 7TH Libby has reunited with her friend Sara who was a roommate from her days studying in Israel. Sara and her husband were in Toronto last week for a conference. But they live in Israel. She describes what it has been like there since the October 7th massacre, and how Israelis have been reacting to the global rise of antisemitism including here in Canada. Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

THE MEDICAL RECORD: BC SHIFTS ITS DRUG POLICY Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and a former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Data Informed Healthcare Improvement at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. We get the doctors' take on BC's move to roll back decriminalization of drug use at least when it comes to using in public places. WHAT POLICE ARE AND ARE NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO DO DURING A HIGH-SPEED CHASE Libby is now joined by Joseph Neuberger, a Criminal Defence Lawyer with Neuberger and Partners LLP. Why were police on that dangerous and ultimately deadly high- speed chase on the 401 that killed an infant and his grandparents as well as the suspect? It was apparently the result of an armed robbery. An investigation is underway into this horrific tragedy. What are police legally and not legally allowed to do during a high-speed chase? TWO KEY BY-ELECTIONS ARE FAST APPROACHING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Libby is now joined by Bob Richardson, Senior Council to National Public Relations, and John Mykytyshyn, Conservative Activist, Political Consultant, and President of Bradgate Research Group. Two provincial bi-elections are taking place tomorrow in two ridings currently held by PC's - Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, which was the riding of Ford government Minister Monte McNaughton, and Milton, which was Parm Gill's riding before he resigned.

THE MEDICAL RECORD: CANADIAN CENTENARIANS & AN ALZHEIMER'S BLOOD TEST Libby Znaimer is joined by Dr. Malcolm Moore, Medical Oncologist at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and former head of the BC Cancer Agency, Dr. Fahad Razak, Canada Research Chair in Healthcare Data and Analytics at the University of Toronto and Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician, Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. A research study shows promise in a blood test that could be a quicker and more affordable alternative way to diagnose Alzheimer's disease in patients. Also this week, ZoomerMedia celebrated iconic General Richard Rohmer who turned 100 years old. Our guests weigh in on centenarians-- the fastest growing demographic. TRUMP SCORES ANOTHER VICTORY...THIS TIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Libby Znaimer is now joined by Dr. Patrice Dutil, Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration, and Toronto Metropolitan University Professor Michael Flamm with the department of history at Ohio Wesleyan University. U.S. President Donald Trump is one step closer to the Presidential race after his latest win--this time in New Hampshire. Despite his strong performance, rival Republican candidate Nikki Haley is still in the race putting up a fight. Others, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida governor Ron DeSantis have since dropped out and have officially announced their backing of Trump. So, what does this all mean? And Ottawa is already planning for any outcome of the U.S. Presidential election. THE EMERGENCIES ACT VIOLATED CANADIANS' CHARTER RIGHTS Libby Znaimer is joined by Andrew House, Counsel and Co-lead for the National Security Group at Fasken Law, and Noa Mendelson Aviv, Executive Director & General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. Yesterday: the federal court ruled that the Trudeau government violated Canadians' Charter rights when it initiated the Emergencies Act in response to the Freedom Trucker Convoy protests.

Liz West is filling in for Libby Znaimer today. She is joined by Dr. Fahad Razak, General Internist at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Malcolm Moore, medical oncologist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the former head of the BC Cancer Agency, as well as Dr. Alisa Naiman, Family Physician and Founder and Medical Director of The Medical Station in Toronto. We begin the discussion today about the B.C. government's decision to send over as many as 4,800 cancer patients for radiation treatment to the U.S. over the next two years and it will be fully funded by the province (which will cost aprox. three times more than what it would cost in our healthcare system). Next, we get into the very important discussion on nutrition and the need to ensure that Seniors in the healthcare system get access to healthy, nutritional food programs.  ---- DAVID JOHNSTON CONCLUDES: NO PUBLIC INQUIRY NEEDED INTO ALLEGED FOREIGN INTERFERENCE Liz West is now joined by Robin Sears, a former NDP strategist and crisis communications advisor and Andrew House, Partner and Co-Leader in National Security at Fasken. Today: we recap the independent special rapporteur David Johnston's findings into his investigation over alleged foreign interference by China in our political system and his decision not to call for a public inquiry and instead recommended that public hearings be held for Canadians.  ---- CANADIANS AND HOUSEHOLD DEBT Liz West is now joined by David Macdonald, Senior Economist, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Today: Canadian homeowners are facing a mounting debt, more so than any other G7 country and owe more money than the entire country's economy. Our guest weighs in on the story.  Listen live, weekdays from noon to 1, on Zoomer Radio!

Today we introduce our first Medical Oncologist to the series, Dr. Christine Simmons! She is a Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer Agency, also current program director for the UBC Medical Oncology Residency Program. We explore her path to medical education within medical oncology and her contribution with different levels of trainees. Please provide us feedback on the episode! : https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_egHOYIJteV0KqOO

In this episode, Dr. Paul Wheatley-Price sits down with Dr. Cheryl Ho, Clinical Associate Professor at UBC and Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer Agency, about all things clinical trials. What is a clinical trial and why are they important? Why is there eligibility criteria and what happens if I don't meet them? Are they really safe? All these questions (and more) answered in this final episode of the year.

Even if improving hypothyroidism is not currently a concern for you, stick around and listen to this episode. This “expert” came to her expertise naturally and she's sharing her health journey with you. She echoes recent podcast guests and stories of health concerns, health issues and solutions of women and how they've taken control back. They've realized not just that your health is your responsibility but that thankfully it is your choice. Your mind, and your lifestyle have so much influence on the way you feel, you look, and you thrive or simply live … and that makes this an exciting time to be alive and over 50.  00:00 My Guest:  Adalgiza Arango was told to give up. She was told to settle for 50%.  For 10 years she was glued to her pillow, napping in the parking lot of the grocery store after a routine trip to stock up, sneaking off at dinner parties to lie down, and couldn't remember where she was driving. After 10 years she reversed her Hypothyroidism. Not only that she fully recovered her knee flexibility after a motorcycle accident when doctors told her 50% would be her limit.   She's a terrible bedmaker, badass cupcake baker, and she's the microgreens lady.  Ada got her degree in Veterinary Medicine and later studied Animal Nutrition at the National Institute for Agricultural Research in France. She immigrated from Columbia to Canada and worked for biotech companies including the BC Cancer Agency. She's also studied Acupuncture at the International College of Traditional Medicine of Vancouver.  Questions we answer in this episode:   03:37 A lot of women listening can relate. Diagnosed at 40, put on Synthroid and sent home, still not feeling well. What made you keep searching? And looking for alternatives?  05:31 What was the process of creating your personal healing strategy? 09:40 What are those steps?  11:09 What would you tell a woman right now who has a thyroid issue, who's on medication whether Armour or Synthroid?  You've made more of a purpose out of your healing journey and you are  hosting a summit. What do you hope attendees will come away with?  28:37 What would be 3 tips you'd tell a woman who feels she's settling but doesn't know what else to do?  So, there is proof some can resolve hypothyroidism naturally. Could you?  Connect with Ada's Fabulous Forties and Beyond summit:  https://thefabulousfortiesandbeyond.com/debraatkinson Details: Starts Oct 24 with 1 interview per day Other Episodes You Might Like:  You, Iodine, and Thyroid Health: https://www.flippingfifty.com/iodine-and-thyroid/ Reverse Thyroid Disease: https://www.flippingfifty.com/reverse-thyroid-disease/

In this episode we discuss current and emerging systemic treatments for advanced, unresectable biliary tract cancers, as well as the barriers to accessing new treatments in Canada.  Our Guest:Dr. Howard Lim is a Medical Oncologist, specializing in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver and Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. This podcast episode was sponsored by AstraZeneca Canada.If you enjoy our podcast, please review and subscribe. For more podcasts and other medical education content, visit our website at: https://www.impactmedicom.com 

I am joined in this episode by Gynecologist,  Dr. Melanie Altas, the Director of the BC Centre of Vulvar Health to discuss:What is lichens sclerosisSigns and symptomsHow a diagnosis is madeSuggested treatmentHow lichens sclerosis can affect sexual function and emotional well being The benefits of early detection and relationship to cancerSuggestions for people who suspect lichens sclerosis The potential role of factors like environment, stress, dietWays that your doctor or gynecologist can work with youThe role of pelvic health physiotherapist Dr Melanie Altas is a Gynaecologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at UBC.  She is the Director of the BC Centre for Vulvar Health at VGH and a Sexual Medicine Consultant at the BC Cancer Agency.  Providing care for individuals with vulvar conditions and vulvodynia is the primary focus of her practice. She is committed to improving access to care for individuals within their own community by increasing public awareness, identifying barriers to care, as well as developing resources for community care providers.Links mentioned:BC Centre for Vulvar HealthInstagramSupport Groups:The Lost Labia ChroniclesLichens Sclerosis Support Group Thanks for joining me! Here is where you can find more:my online course to walk you through pregnancy, birth prep and postpartum recovery: https://mommyberries.comWant more details on the small groups?Small GroupsFollow me on:InstagramFacebookYouTubeSupport the show

To start off Season 3 of the GOSH Podcast, we are excited to share the story of a new educational resource for gynecologic cancer patients entitled "Gynecologic Cancers: Your Journey". This resource was developed in partnership between the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative and BC Cancer to help support gynecologic cancer patients in finding easy-to-understand information and resources after being diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. The resource presents the entire gynecologic cancer journey to them upon diagnosis and points them to relevant information and resources. Through a series of working group meetings and interviews, the resource was developed in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams at BC Cancer and GCI patient partners. This resource was built by gynecologic cancer patients for gynecologic cancer patients but at every step of the way, we received a lot of important insight from Gynecologic Oncology Specialists, Palliative Medicine Specialists, BC Cancer Supportive Care Manager, Plain Language Specialists, Library Services and many others.  The resource is now available on the BC Cancer website:http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/library-site/Documents/Gynecologic-Cancer-Your-Journey.pdf-Welcome the three patient partners Nancy Cleveland, Siv Klausen, and Nicole Keay, who played a really important role in making this resource a reality. Nicole Keay is an experienced communications professional and a patient partner with the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI). She also co-hosts the Gynecologic Oncology Sharing Hub (GOSH) podcast alongside Stephanie Lam. In her early 30s, Nicole was diagnosed with cervical cancer and underwent intense treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy resulting in the loss of her fertility. Nicole now uses her experiences to help guide, support, and be a voice for women who have been diagnosed with gynecological cancers. Nancy Cleveland has lived in Vancouver for her entire life and is married and the mom to two beautiful adult children. In her professional life, she spent 35 years as a teacher with the Vancouver School Board. In May 2019, Nancy was diagnosed with Stage 3C Primary Peritoneal Serous Ovarian Cancer after going through what she thought of as a routine laparoscopic surgery for a gallstone. Her journey has had its ups and downs, but she continues to believe that there is a lot of hope for gynecologic cancer patients and survivors. Nancy has had some great experiences with clinical drug trials and research that continues to improve outcomes for patients across BC. Siv Klausen is a Patient Partner with the Gynecological  Cancer Initiative.  After experiencing vulvar cancer in 2018, she underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver. Siv lives in Tsawwassen with her husband and son, and JoJo the poodle.  Stephanie Lam is the Research Coordinator for the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative (GCI), a province-wide initiative aimed to accelerate transformative research on the prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship of gynecologic cancers. Currently, Stephanie supports a broad range of research activities within the GCI including clinical trials, knowledge translation, and educational programs. An important part of her role is in the area of patient engagement and patient-oriented research. _For more information on the Gynecologic Cancer Initiative, please visit https://gynecancerinitiative.ca/ or email us at info@gynecancerinitiative.ca Where to learn more about us: Twitter – @GCI_ClusterInstagram – @gynecancerinitiativeFacebook – facebook.com/gynecancerinitiative

James Mclellan is a Medical Dosimetrist working at the BC Cancer Agency for the North in Prince George, British Columbia. In this podcast episode, James talks about his own personal journey with surviving colon cancer, the period in his life where he lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, what inspired him to move to Prince George, his involvement with Wheelin' Warriors of the North and the world renowned ground-breaking cancer treatment being performed in British Columbia. In addition, James discusses the exponential changes in radiation therapy made over the years that have radically changed the practice of Medical Dosimetry.

Derk Grooten is a Prince George resident and military veteran from Holland, who works as a Radiation Therapist for the BC Cancer Agency for the North. Derk is also highly involved with the Wheelin' Warriors of the North and an advocate of the benefits of living in Northern British Columbia.

In this episode of IMPACT Medicom's podcast series on Precision Medicine in Oncology we discuss:·       The BC OncoPanel, a comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test available to patients with some cancers in British Columbia; ·       The challenges for including CGP in laboratory budgets; ·       The information exchange needed between stakeholders to accelerate access to CGP; and·       How IMPACT Medicom's CGP prioritization report can provide decision-makers with a framework for implementing CGP testing. Our guests:Dr. Howard Lim is a Medical Oncologist at BC Cancer Agency and Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. He completed his medical oncology training at the BC Cancer Agency and received additional training at the Oregon Health Sciences University, specializing in gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Lim is actively involved in clinical trials, ethics, and genomic-based research.Jim Slater [MLT(ART), BSc, MBA] began his career as a medical laboratory technician in BC and has since worked in all four Western provinces in the area of diagnostic services. His past leadership roles include Executive Director of all diagnostics in Saskatchewan, Chief Executive Officer of all diagnostic services in Manitoba, and most recently, Chief Provincial Diagnostics Officer at the Provincial Health Services Authority in BC. Jim currently provides Health System and Business Consulting services, with expertise in precision medicine (genomics), value-based healthcare, innovation and resource stewardship, research, and business development. Howard and Jim both served as steering committee members on IMPACT Medicom's CGP prioritization report. The full report can be downloaded at:https://www.impactmedicom.com/publications/reports.  This podcast episode is sponsored by AstraZeneca Canada.   If you enjoy our podcast, please review and subscribe. For more podcasts, papers, and medical education programs, visit our website at: http://www.impactmedicom.com.

Building a 'Niche' with Award-Winning WinesJoanna and James Schlosser are the founders of Niche Wine Company, a family-owned winery located in West Kelowna. The quality of their product is no accident, these award-winning wines have been hand crafted in small batches for over 8 vintages.When they are not in the winery, Joanna is working as a Brand and Communications Manager for Accelerate Okanagan and James works for the BC Cancer Agency and currently operates as a Senior Manager in the Technology Development Office. Joanna and James are also Pinot enthusiasts, parents to 5-year-old Hugh, and lovers of all things Okanagan. If you enjoyed this episode, an iTunes review would be SO appreciated! It's super easy to do right within the Podcast app.The New Town Big Dreams Podcast has been downloaded thousands of times. It has a growing audience of people who are keenly interested in Kelowna and the Okanagan. To find out about ways to make a lasting impression on this growing audience, please send me a message. Nice Wines nominated Deanna Kent and Neil Houston to come on the New Town Big Dreams podcast. Kara and I nominated Niche Wines. Luke J. Menkes​Executive Producer and Show HostNew Town Big Dreams PodcastFollow me on Social Media:New Town Big Dreams podcast on FacebookInstagramLinkedinLuke Menkes Kelowna RealtorMy Personal Facebook PageIn this episode, we discuss: #wine, #winemaking, #vintner, #okanaganwines, #pinot, #nichewines, #NewTownBigDreams, #exploreKelowna, #KelownaNow, #YLW, #YVRtoYLW, #YEGtoYLW, #ExploreYLW, #YYCtoYLW, #Relocation, #KelownaViews, #handpickedkelowna, #kelownalife, #kelownaliving, #exploreBC, #Kelowna, #Okanagan, #podcast, #RealEstateSupport the show (https://paypal.me/lukemenkes)

(Recorded July 26) In this episode, I have some great girl talk with radiation therapist and wine blogger Deborah Murray. Deb shares her pandemic experience as a healthcare worker, her favourite #GetThrifty wines for summer, and why it's been so important to live in the moment. We get nerdy about wine, and also chat carbs, photography, confidence and our mutual love of Scotland. Deborah Murray has degree in Photography from Emily Carr University. She went on to study Radiation Therapy at BCIT and now work as a Radiation Therapist at the BC Cancer Agency. As she learned more about wine, friends would suggest that she write a blog about it, which was a great reason to get back into photography. She started the Year in Wine blog and has since taken her WSET I and II, and hopes to do Level III soon. She likes to travel, although travel plans look like they will be on hold for a while. So for now, it's travelling through wine an carbs!Connect with Deb @yearinwine onInstagram and at her blog. Our recommended IG follows for food and flat lay inspo: @gmmphotography, @extraforavocado, @mmoilanenphotography.Book(s) we talk about in this episode:A Severed Wasp (Eckhart Tolle)August Book Club Selection: This month's book club selection is Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner. Click here to join our book club and RSVP for the August 30 online discussion! Where you can buy the book: Indigo.ca - https://bit.ly/CGTAugBook Amazon.ca - https://amzn.to/2EHAeOZ (Audible and Kindle have free trials!)Let's connect! Please take a moment to rate, review and share the episode with a friend. You can also join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook. Thanks for listening and see you next week for another round of girl talk.

Karen Doyle Buckwalter welcomes Dr. Kirk Austin to the show for the conclusion of their discussion on understanding attachment within the complex care and intervention model.   Dr. Kirk Austin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in the province of British Columbia, Canada.  He is actively involved in training foster parents, psychotherapists, social workers and educators in the effective use of the Complex Care & Intervention (CCI) model. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Trinity Western University before completing his M.A in Counselling Psychology at Liberty University. Prior to earning his doctorate in the field of positive psychology, at the University of South Africa, he completed a Diploma in adult education at Vancouver Community College.    He currently works in psychosocial oncology at the BC Cancer Agency, is adjunct faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has served as Training Director of Complex Trauma Resources since 2012.

Karen Doyle Buckwalter welcomes Dr. Kirk Austin to the show for part one of their discussion on understanding attachment within the complex care and intervention model. Part two will be released on Tuesday, August 4th.    Dr. Kirk Austin is a Registered Clinical Counsellor in the province of British Columbia, Canada.  He is actively involved in training foster parents, psychotherapists, social workers and educators in the effective use of the Complex Care & Intervention (CCI) model. He received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Trinity Western University before completing his M.A in Counselling Psychology at Liberty University. Prior to earning his doctorate in the field of positive psychology, at the University of South Africa, he completed a Diploma in adult education at Vancouver Community College.    He currently works in psychosocial oncology at the BC Cancer Agency, is adjunct faculty at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and has served as Training Director of Complex Trauma Resources since 2012.

In a candid, humorous and wide ranging interview, Dr. Joel Fransen discusses the current state of dental practice in Canada during the COVID-19 crisis, his views on current and possible future infection control mandates, why he embraced implants as an endodontist, how he is using this "emergency only" shutdown to retool, his best advice for young graduates, and why he supports Liverpool FC.     In 1998, Dr. Fransen, both got married and graduated from the dental school at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. Drs. Alison and Joel Fransen then moved to Vancouver Island and worked for six years. During that time, they had two wonderful children, Clive and Chloe. They then sold their two practices and moved to the Okanagan to work as associates. This allowed Joel to apply to various grad endo programmes. Joel attained his certificate in endodontics at the Baylor School of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas (now Texas A&M) in 2007. While in Texas they had their third child Jack, the ‘anchor' baby so to speak. The family then returned the lower mainland where both Joel and his wife, Alison, grew-up. Joel worked as an associate endodontist in the office of Dr. Earl Winestock for a number of years before opening his own office: Richmond Endodontic Centre in 2010. Dr. Fransen also travels to northern British Columbia to provide endodontic care. He was also the very first in history, and remains the only ever, certified endodontist in the Yukon Territory. Over the years, Dr. Fransen has taught at Graduate Endodontic Programme at UBC, provided endodontic care at BC Children's Hospital, and was part of the editorial board of the Bridge (a publication of the BC Dental Association). He has given presentations to general dentists and endodontists in a number of cities and town in North America, including Philadelphia. He has had a few articles published in various dental journals and also done a number of on-line video presentations for the Canadian Dental Association as part of the Oasis CE programme. In 2018, with three other endodontists, the BC Endodontic Solution Hands-On Course was created to help general dentists hone their clinical endodontic skills. In 2019, Dr. Fransen started sharing many of his monthly newsletters on Peer Effects, an on-line CE forum just for dentists. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has started interview various people about its impact on dentistry and society in general. As part of his mid-life crisis Dr. Fransen did not buy a Corvette but rekindled his love of downhill skiing. If it were not for the pandemic he would have achieved his childhood dream of representing Canada in a World Cup Ski Race in Europe. He is training hard and hopes to be able to represent Canada in Speed Skiing during the 2020/2021 season. He is an advocate for oral cancer research and co-captain of the Better Outcomes 2 Cycling Team. This team raises money for the Dr. Michele Williams Oral Cancer Research and Education Fund at the BC Cancer Agency. If the ride goes ahead this year, it will be his ninth year, in-a-row, for him in the BC Ride to Conquer Cancer. Over those years he has raised over $200,000. He is also a life-long Liverpool FC and Whitecaps supporter and a rugby league and union fan.Lastly, it is worth noting he has been banned from the family kitchen for crimes against innocent ingredients, he can lose keys or glasses faster than anyone in the west, and takes forgetting birthdays and anniversaries to an almost professional level. Nor does not read as many novels as he should and he is ashamed his French is not better, merde. The full liability release for the Dental Clinical Companion remains in effect for this, and all episodes of the podcast.  Support the show (http://mounceendo.com/)

The BC Cancer Agency has advised all volunteer drivers to park their vehicles for the foreseeable future due to COVID-19 concerns  Guest: George Garrett, Legendary CKNW Reporter, now with the Volunteer BC Cancer Drivers Society

ASCO: You’re listening to a podcast from Cancer.Net. This cancer information website is produced by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, known as ASCO, the world’s leading professional organization for doctors who care for people with cancer. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Cancer research discussed in this podcast is ongoing, so the data described here may change as research progresses. In this podcast, Cancer.Net Associate Editor Dr. Michael Williams will discuss some of the new research in lymphoma that was presented at the 2019 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, held December seventh through tenth in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Williams is the Chief of the Hematology/Oncology Division and Director of the Hematologic Malignancies Program at the UVA Cancer Center. He is also the Byrd S. Leavell Professor of Medicine and Professor of Pathology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. View Dr. Williams’ disclosures at Cancer.Net. ASCO would like to thank Dr. Williams for discussing this research. Dr. Williams: Hello, and thanks for joining us for this podcast. My name is Michael Williams. I'm Professor and Chief of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. And I'm pleased to discuss some exciting advances in lymphoma that were presented at the American Society of Hematology meeting held in Orlando in December 2019. My disclosures are that my research group here at the university, through the university, has received research support from pharmaceutical companies AbbVie, Pharmacyclics, and Janssen, and I have received honoraria for speaking at conferences from Xian-Janssen in China. So what I'm going to talk about today are 2 reports about the management of localized diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an update on a novel therapeutic approach for relapsed mantle cell lymphoma. And then, I'll finish with a brief introduction of an agent that is showing promise for treating highly resistant relapsed lymphoma that was presented in the plenary session during the ASH meeting. So let's start with localized diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. So DLBCL is the most common subtype among the many forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Usually, people present with advanced stage disease. But as many as 25 to 30 percent may have a disease that's localized to just 1 site or a very localized area of lymph nodes, so these would be stage I or stage ll patients. And the first report that I'll comment upon was presented by Dr. Laurie Sehn at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, British Columbia. So they did a retrospective review looking at 319 patients treated in British Columbia over the past 15 years. So these were patients who had a nonbulky mass, they were localized disease. And the treatment currently for this disease is that people get either 6 cycles of a regimen such as rituximab and CHOP chemotherapy or more limited chemotherapy. Typically, 3 cycles of R-CHOP followed by radiation therapy. The importance of this study is that it is exploring a mechanism to de-escalate therapy, if you will, by avoiding the use of the radiation therapy. So what they did, is patients with localized disease received 3 cycles of rituximab plus CHOP therapy and then underwent a PET scan. So PET scans, unlike CT scans, are nuclear-medicine imaging that shows the functional uptake of radioactive glucose by the sites involved by lymphoma. So if you become PET negative after the three cycles of rituximab, CHOP therapy, then it seems likely that you've got a very highly responsive disease, and you may be able to avoid radiation therapy. So they did the PET scan after 3 cycles, and for those who were PET negative, then those patients received 1 additional cycle of rituximab CHOP, and that was the end of their therapy. If they were still PET positive, then they moved on to radiation therapy to the involved area. So what they found was quite interesting that of the 319 patients, 254 were negative after their PET scan. And so went on, virtually all of them, to just getting 1 more cycle of rituximab CHOP as planned. The outcomes for those patients were that very few of them relapsed over the next several years. They followed patients now, for about four years or more, in most cases, and they found that the overall, 5-year progression-free survival was 88% for those who were PET negative. For the subset of patients who were still PET positive, and got the radiation therapy, their outcome was somewhat worse, in that there was only 74% who were still progression free. The overall survival for these patients was 90%, at 5 years, for those who were PET negative and 77% for PET positive. So what this study shows us, is that a PET scan after 3 cycles, can inform us about patients who are 90% likely to have good control of their disease, with just 4 treatments, and you can avoid the exposure to radiation therapy. Those who were still PET positive still did well: 3 out of 4 were still in remission beyond 5 years but not quite as good an outcome. So these are patients who may be candidates for an alternative approach to try to do better with their long-term cure rates. So that leads us to the second presentation that I want to discuss. This was presented by Dr. Daniel Persky on behalf of the Southwest Oncology Group, which is part of the National Clinical Trials Network, in the United States. So they had a very similar approach. They studied patients with localized Stage 1 or 11, nonbulky diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and they got standard rituximab CHOP therapy, and then a PET scan after the third cycle. Just as in the paper I discussed from British Columbia. Those who had negative PET scans got one additional cycle of rituximab CHOP. Those who were still PET positive got involved-field radiation therapy and treatment with a radio-labeled monoclonal antibody. Essentially, a radioactive form of rituximab, which has given us a single dose about a month after they'd finished their involved-field radiation therapy and then they got a follow-up PET scan, thereafter. So this study went on for several years, at multiple sites around the country. They enrolled 132 patients, and of those patients, 110 were PET negative after their third cycle. So only 18 needed to go on to this additional radiation therapy and the systemic treatment with the radio immuno therapeutic called Ibritumomab tiuxetan. They followed these patients now for 4 and a half years, and only 5 patients have progressed, and only 2 have died of their lymphoma. So of those who progressed, 3 of them had gotten just the R-CHOP alone. There was another patient who was PET positive but declined getting the radiation therapy who progressed. And then, another patient who had only 1 treatment was rituximab CHOP but then went off treatment due to toxicity. So similar, and in fact, almost identical to the British Columbia report. Five-year freedom from progression of their disease was 87%, and the overall survival was 90%. So these patients can do quite well, since many times, the location for localized DLBCL is in the head neck. There can be significant late effects of radiation therapy. So I think these studies reassure us that patients with localized disease can have very durable outcomes and cure rates. It's important to note that there's a higher rate of late relapse beyond three years in patients with localized DLBCL compared to more diffuse extensive disease suggesting that there may be some differences in the biology of a localized disease. So very important data, and data that gives us the opportunity to de-escalate treatment in localized large cell lymphoma. So let's switch gears and talk about mantle cell lymphoma. There's been a lot of progress in this disease over the past decade. Much of it related to the use of nonchemotherapy targeted agents such as Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors including ibrutinib and the Bcl-2 inhibitor, venetoclax. There was a study reported last year by an Australian group led by Dr. Constantine Tam. This study was updated at the ASH meeting with a longer follow up. So these were patients with Relapsed/Refractory disease, heavily pretreated. Many of them, previously, having had intensive chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. And half of them had mutations in a gene called TP53, which is correlated with frequent chemotherapy resistance and high relapse rate. And what they found by combining the targeted agents ibrutinib and venetoclax, that they got very high response rates. The majority of patients responded although, there were a few who were primarily resistant, and about a third of patients, actually, got very deep remissions. PET negative and negative for minimal residual disease detection. If you look at the subset, of the highest risk patients, with the TP53 mutation, half of them achieved a complete response rate, and some of these patients have had durable responses. There have been a few patients who've had deep responses, who've been able to come off treatment. And overall, the duration of response at 2 and a half years is 74%. But what this study shows us, is yet again, that these novel targeted drugs that are typically better tolerated than cytotoxic chemotherapy can have very good and indeed dramatic responses, and so is showing a lot of promise. It reminds us that in mantle cell, whether it's newly diagnosed or relapsed, that talking to your oncologist about clinical trial opportunities can often avail you of some of the most promising new approaches. And indeed, that's true for all forms of lymphoma, that clinical trial options should be part of the discussion with treatment planning. I'm going to finish by just mentioning another novel agent that is being applied to patients with highly resistant relapsed disease. This is a molecule called mosunetuzumab, and this is a bispecific antibody. So there are a number of these now that are in clinical development, and some are FDA approved for treating leukemias and certain lymphomas. This one is designed to basically connect a body's immune system, the T cells, with the B-cell lymphomas by using an antibody that can recognize each of those and bring them physically together. So this was presented by Dr. Steven Schuster; it was a multinational study of this bispecific antibody in patients with very aggressive relapsed/refractory lymphomas including, diffuse large B-cell and transformed follicular lymphoma. And what they found in this study, is that response rates were 64%, with 42% of patients achieving a complete remission. So it's still early, but quite promising because these are patients who had failed CAR T-cell therapy. They may have failed transplant, or they were patients who needed a treatment to bridge them over to get to a CAR T or another treatment such as an allogeneic stem cell transplant. The toxicities were generally manageable and similar to those seen with other bispecific antibodies. So it's early, but across subtypes of patients with aggressive and relapsed lymphoma, I think this is another promising molecule, that may well provide good therapeutic options via a clinical trial for patients who have very limited other options to manage their disease. So thanks again for joining this podcast. There was a lot of other exciting data that we didn't have time to go through, so I encourage you to continue learning about what's new in the field, discussing with your oncologist, or with a consulting specialist in lymphoma, to make sure you can avail yourself of the best in current diagnostics and therapeutics. Thanks very much. ASCO: Thank you, Dr. Williams. Learn more about lymphoma at www.cancer.net. And if this podcast was useful, please take a minute to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Google Play. This Cancer.Net podcast is part of the ASCO Podcast Network. This collection of 9 programs offers insight into the world of cancer care, covering a range of educational, inspirational, and scientific content. You can find all 9 shows, including this one, at podcast.asco.org. Cancer.Net is supported by the Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO, which funds breakthrough research for every type of cancer, helping patients everywhere. To help fund Cancer.Net and programs like it, donate at conquer.org/support.

Mark’s background as an educator and an athlete positions him to appreciate and explore the brain’s ability to change and recover after brain injury. His experiences with learning difficulties developed his interest in different learning profiles and helping students better understand the nature of their disabilities and their ability to overcome them. Mark has worked in education and cognitive rehabilitation since 2002. Having served as a teacher, administrator, Executive Director and CEO. With a background in human kinetics and educational leadership Mark has successfully paired his background in both of these areas into his role at ABI Wellness. Pairing his clinical experience in serving students with learning disabilities with his previous experience as the Co-founder and Executive Director of the Watson Centre for Brain Health, Mark has seen firsthand the overwhelmingly positive impact that strengthening specific neurological capacities can have on all aspects of a patient’s life. He is committed to working with patients so they can lead more fulfilled and independent lives. A frequent speaker on the topic of brain injury rehabilitation Mark has presented this work to: Public health agencies, BC Cancer Agency, The NHL Alumni Assoc., NFLPA Washington State among others. Mark also serves as a member of the integrated health advisory board at Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Lucca and Rebecca are fascinated by this 'poised to explode' area of learning and research, and dig in deep with Mark to understand the potential and possibilities that he's been witnessing through his work!

Episode 3 presents Gerald De Roza in conversation with Howie Lim and Ben Leung at the BC Cancer Agency.  This discussion includes personal stories surrounding symptoms, affect, recovery and ideas related to the topic of physician burnout.  

Ep 219 Marco Marra The Legacy of Nobel Laureate Michael Smith   It was 25 years that the Nobel committee named Dr Michael Smith of UBC as the winner in chemistry. It’s a prize he won for his work in site-directed mutagenesis. In other words, a process of making specific changes to the DNA sequence of a gene – a process that Dr. Smith developed in advance of the mapping of the human genome.   He was a remarkable scientist and a remarkable man who went to great lengths in attracting research talent to BC. He donated the entire prize money he was awarded to future research and, in doing so, he played a vital role in establishing BC as a centre of excellence in genome research.   His generosity of spirit coupled with his financial contribution has inspired the creation of Genome BC, the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, the Michael Smith Laboratories at UBC and the Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at BC Cancer.   The Nobel Prize and Dr Smith’s commitment to using his position to advance research in BC research was a game changer, one that vaulted local scientists onto the world stage and put British Columbia on the map as a place of world class research.   We invited distinguished scientist Marco Marra, the Director of Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre at the BC Cancer Agency, to join us for a Conversation That Matters about the remarkable legacy of Dr. Michael Smith.   Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue presents Conversations That Matter. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for an important and engaging Conversation about the issues shaping our future. Please become a Patreon subscriber and support the production of this program, with a $1 pledge https://goo.gl/ypXyDs

Canadians invent many things that go on to be globally significant. Drugs or pharmaceuticals is an area of research that we do very well in, especially when it comes to developing cures and treatments for a wide range of health issues.   While we do a good job conceiving of treatments and doing the research, we don’t do a good job of bringing those products to the market. By the time the research has finished, ownership of the intellectual property frequently leaves Canada and moves to its new home in Europe or the United States.   It’s a shame because Canada makes up just point five per cent of the global population, yet we produce over 5% of the world’s research in drug development. We’ve figured out the idea and research part well; what we have trouble with is commercializing our discoveries once the human proof of concept stage has been reached.   Canada is the only advanced pharma market in the world that does not have a billion dollar company to anchor the pharmaceutical industry.  We’ve had them only to see them go away. At one time we had QLT in Vancouver, which is an example of our intellectual property being acquired by a larger global player that takes the company offshore.   The result is a loss to ongoing research and to the Canadian economy. How then do we change that? Enter the Centre for Drug Research and Development, a joint effort between Simon Fraser University, UBC and the BC Cancer Agency – an initiative that the Federal Government recognized as invaluable and provided funding to expand the reach of the CDRD across the country.   We invited Gordon McCauley of the CDRD to join us for a Conversation That Matters about nurturing, fostering, retaining and commercializing our world-class ideas, talent and research in Canada.       Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue presents Conversations That Matter. Join veteran Broadcaster Stuart McNish each week for an important and engaging Conversation about the issues shaping our future.   Please become a Patreon subscriber and support the production of this program, with a $1 pledge https://goo.gl/ypXyDs

Have you been feeling stuck in your relationship, frustrated with your body, or totally disconnected from your pleasure & desire? One-on-one coaching spots are available in my private practice and rates are going up January 1st, 2019, so now is the perfect time to book a discovery call and learn more about how coaching might help you. Check out the clients I work with and my rates today.   The power of mindfulness on our pleasure, connection, and desire. In person interviews are some of my favorite, and Dr. Lori Brotto was able to pop over for this in-person conversation all about her 15 years of sex research on the power of mindfulness, which she's turned into a fabulous book called, "Better Sex Through Mindfulness." So, this episode is  all about what mindfulness is, how it affects our levels of libido and desire, why mindfulness might be a key to more pleasure, and how to balance mindfulness and fantasy. We also talk about depression, responsive desire, responsibility in relationships, and how we can get started with mindfulness. Plus, Patreon supporters - If you support the show at the $3 level and above, this week's bonus is a little mindfulness exercise and some journal prompts around pleasure. Listen and support the show at patreon.com/sgrpodcast Follow Sex Gets Real on Twitter and Facebook. It's true. Oh! And Dawn is on Instagram. About Dr. Lori Brotto: Dr. Brotto completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of British Columbia (UBC), where her research focused primarily on psychophysiological aspects of sexual arousal in women diagnosed with sexual dysfunctions. Her psychology internship at the University of Washington (UW) specialized in the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for mood, anxiety, substance abuse and psychotic disorders. Following her internship, Dr. Brotto’s Fellowship in Reproductive and Sexual Medicine at UW was mentored by Dr. Julia Heiman, director of the Kinsey Institute. As a registered psychologist, Dr. Brotto offers psychological therapy to patients referred from both UBC Departments of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Psychiatry, as well as the BC Cancer Agency. Dr. Brotto also sees private patients. Her new book, Better Sex Through Mindfulness, published by Greystone Books, is a scientifically-informed translation of her research on mindfulness to improve women’s sexuality. It can be ordered here or here or on Amazon via my affiliate link. Listen and subscribe to Sex Gets Real Listen and subscribe on iTunes Check us out on Stitcher Don't forget about I Heart Radio's Spreaker Pop over to Google Play Use the player at the top of this page. Now available on Spotify. Search for "sex gets real". Find the Sex Gets Real channel on IHeartRadio. Hearing from you is the best Contact form: Click here (and it's anonymous)

Guest: Dr. David Knapp is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford. Colin Hammond is a graduate student in Dr. Connie Eaves’ lab at the BC Cancer Agency. Dr. David Knapp and Colin Hammond…

087 | Shifting thoughts and actions     Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio! I am your host – Michelle Currie – here to give you the rundown on the Canadian biotech scene. This week sheds light on antibacterial resistance and how that will change the course of the world on a widespread scale if our patterns do not change, how pharmacogenomics has become a new era in precision health, and how there may be a link between poor muscle health and type 1 diabetes.   Listen on to find out more!  ++++++  Ever consider a world where surgery was no longer an option? It is the unfortunate truth that if society does not slow the progression rate of antimicrobial resistance, life as we have come to know it will no longer be our future.  Antimicrobial resistance threatens the effective prevention and treatment of an ever-increasing range of infections caused by bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi. Without such means of effective treatment, it will compromise therapies that have been used for decades in healthcare and puts society in a very precarious position. Treatments such as major surgery or chemotherapy may fade into the background.  As we stand on the precipice of a post-antibiotic apocalypse, this global concern has researchers all over the world clamouring to find a solution before this issue gets out of hand. Kevin Schwartz, an infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship physician from Public Health Ontario is one of those researchers seeking a strategy.  Dr. Kevin Schwartz says, “Antimicrobial resistance is going to be one of the biggest future challenges and it really threatens the way that we practice medicine. We take for granted some of the modern advances of technology that we will really jeopardize if the trend of antimicrobial resistance continues.”  Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms change from exposure to antimicrobial drugs. It is a natural process that happens over time, but, unfortunately, that timeline has been accelerated due to the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in people and animals. Whether it stems from prescribing patients’ antibiotics for things such as a cold or flu, or when they are given as growth promoters in animals or used to prevent disease in healthy animals, the truth is that we need to find a solution to contend with these “superbugs” – and fast.  Antimicrobial resistant-microbes are found in people, animals, food, and the environment (water, soil, and air.) They can transfer from person to person, from person to animal and animal to person – that includes food of an animal origin – and is present in every country worldwide.  It’s such a huge global overwhelming problem. From hospital settings to non-hospital settings, using more antibiotics than we probably need to. There are a variety of reasons for that. Antibiotics are effective and life-saving, and often patients present with unclear diagnoses so antibiotics are often used to be on the safe side and so we are not missing a potentially treatable illness.  Schwartz adds that the fields of antimicrobial stewardship are trying to develop ways to help physicians and prescribers use the antibiotics more appropriately. There’s probably depending on the study and the area being treated, inappropriately prescribed 30-50 per cent of the time. So, there is lots of room to improve our antibiotic use.   However, there isn’t one strategy that is applicable across all patient settings and types of conditions and there is a lot of variability as to how antimicrobial stewardship can be implemented. For instance, the approach to improving antibiotics is going to be quite different depending on the setting. Some examples would be the difference in the intensive care unit compared to hospitalized patients, compared to patients treated in the emergency room, compared to patients treated in family doctor offices.  Schwartz focus is mainly on the out-patient setting. So, how can we approach family physicians and community prescribers to use antibiotics more appropriately? Some of the strategies to do this would be to provide feedback to family physicians. Some of the stuff that they are scaling up to do is to be able to give doctors some comparisons and feedback. For example, how much antibiotics are they prescribing compared to their peers? Then by identifying those doctors that are high prescribers we can have a significant impact to decrease overall prescribing.  He goes on to suggest that there are other simple measures that can be implemented, such as a study done in the US that monitored how a poster mailed to family doctor clinics and signed by the corresponding physician with the intent to use antibiotics appropriately displayed in the waiting room affected overall usage. The study showed that even this simple measure decreased over-prescribing by 20 per cent.  Public Health Ontario have done something similar in Ontario over the last year, partnering with Choosing Wisely Canada, an organization aimed to decrease waste and improve healthcare efficiency. So, they sent the poster to about 13,000 doctors in Ontario to hang in their offices for a similar purpose.  There are discrepancies in the system across the country, however, about the amount of antibiotics being prescribed by population and contrasting health regions. This could be due to the variance of the practice of physicians in different geographical locations. Some prescribe more, while others tend to prescribe less – allocating education and feedback as one of the best means to observe overprescribing.  There are notable differences between urban and rural environments prescription and usage, but through multi-variable modelling incorporating these variables as predictors, it is still undetermined why some prescribe more over others.  Schwartz says, “We want to make sure people are using the appropriate medicine for the appropriate condition. So, we’re not using overly broad, overly toxic medication when we do not need to.”  A study that was done in the UK highlighted what would happen if the course of action did not change over time. They estimated that there are roughly 700,000 deaths a year from antibiotic-resistant infections and that if we do not do anything by the year 2050, that number could reach a high of 10,000,000. To put that number in another light, the death toll will surpass cancer and motor accidents combined.  By weight, most antibiotics are used in animals, not in humans, and there’s lots of antibiotics in the environment and in other parts of the population. So, there’s all these different approaches where we need to combine – animal veterinary health with human health with environment – and all these different things need to come together so that we can mitigate antibiotic exposure and an element of resistance.  The importance of this issue can not be understated. All the advances that have been accomplished in health care will be for naught if antimicrobial resistance continues down this path. Successfully taking care of premature babies, organ transplant, bone marrow transplant, and complex cancer therapies are all prime examples of procedures that will become incredibly difficult or impossible to achieve. They all rely on the fact that we can treat the complications that go hand in hand with the procedure – namely infections. These patients are more susceptible to bacterial infection, and without effective antibiotics the procedure may be too risky.  If you think back to the way things were during WWI when there was no antibiotics when even a small wound in battle could be life-threatening or limb-threatening. We really take for granted what we now consider a simple condition, where in the past was life-threatening. Schwartz says they will become life-threatening again in the absence of effective antibiotics for these problems.  Physicians and dentists are examples of prescribers that need to prescribe antibiotics appropriately, and for the public to have an awareness of the risks of taking antibiotics unnecessarily over time. This awareness needs to be spread before the world turns into a post-antibiotic era. Antimicrobial resistance is an inevitable process. The bacteria are alive, and they will evolve to survive.  ++++++  Genomics is driving a paradigm shift from a disease-oriented health-care system to one that is more precise, personalized, predictive, preventative and cost effective.  Advancements in technology are helping make genomics more affordable and accessible than ever before. Likewise, societal attitudes toward genomics in clinical care are shifting. We are no longer asking ‘if’ genomics should be integrated with clinical care. Instead we are asking ‘when’ and ‘how’ we can use genomics to benefit as many people as possible.  With a vision to advance the use and application of genomics in clinical practice, Genome BC has invested almost $370 million in over 160 research projects. Genomics research is already saving lives and improving health outcomes and disease management for patients touched by cancer, heart disease, autism, epilepsy, rare diseases and other debilitating diseases. As genomics research moves from the bench to the bedside, clinical applications of genomics will affect many areas of medicine over the next 10-20 years, improving disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as informing our approaches to wellness, nutrition, and public health.  Genome BC has had a long-standing interest in, and support for, a particular aspect of precision health called pharmacogenomics. Since 2004 we have invested in a number of projects analyzing the unintended side effects of medication, known as adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The discipline of pharmacogenomics, identifying gene variants that predispose people to serious side effects of medications or that alter the way your body will respond to, or metabolize, certain drugs, is being applied to improve the safety and efficacy of many therapeutics and treatments. We are funding teams across different levels of research in this critical field: in the hospital alongside clinicians, in the pharmacy and with primary care physicians.  At the hospital level Dr. Bruce Carleton and his team are working to prevent ADRs by developing laboratory tests to predict the likelihood of a childhood cancer patient developing an ADR and tools to incorporate these tests into clinical practice. At the pharmacy level another group, led by Dr. Corey Nislow and the BC Pharmacy Association, has developed a community pharmacist-based approach to pharmacogenomic testing wherein a patient’s saliva is tested for genes that will predict adverse reactions to commonly prescribed drugs. Finally, at the family physician level Dr. Martin Dawes and his multi-disciplinary team of doctors, pharmacists, and epidemiologists have developed TreatGx, a unique medication decision support system. Using the highest levels of evidence, TreatGX identifies personalized medication options for multiple common conditions. The options are presented to the doctor in an easy-to-read format with helpful information such as dosing instructions, potential adverse reactions, and medication cost comparisons.  Each of these research teams are bringing new understanding to the table, as well as integrating their work for maximum benefit to patients.  The goal of pharmacogenomics is to improve patient outcomes. In order to implement this tool effectively we must:  Validate the efficacy of genomics applications in day-to-day patient care  Ensure we are increasing value to patients and lowering costs  Identify and provide information related to diagnostic criteria and provide the relevant pharmacogenomics test(s)  Develop guidelines to help clinicians use these tests  Change perceptions for healthcare professionals and patients  Genome BC is working closely with the provincial government, universities, clinicians and other stakeholders to advance the clinical use of pharmacogenomics.  Canada is not the only country working to implement precision health- there is a global effort working towards a common goal. Momentum is building and there are success stories of clinical implementation of genomics happening in real time around the world. In BC there has been a critical change in the Hereditary Cancer Screening Program at the BC Cancer Agency because of a gene panel test that enables clinicians to test for more than a dozen of the most common mutations all at once, rather than one-by-one. This test enables people to learn what cancers they may develop, how often to have medical follow-ups, what cancer screening to get and whether there are preventive lifestyle factors that might mitigate the risks. Wait times for this test have gone from several months to a few weeks and BC Cancer is even helping other provinces clear their backlog. The hereditary cancer panel is now being reimbursed by the BC provincial government and has been fully integrated in clinical practice.  Clinical practice has begun to incorporate genomics technology and applications. Ultimately physicians will have practice guidelines to best move patients along a treatment pathway that is best suited to their own genetic makeup.  +++++  A recent study coming out of the labs of McMaster and York Universities have found that there may be a link between poor muscle health and type 1 diabetes – even among the youth.  The research team analyzed muscle biopsies of young adults with and without Type 1 diabetes who exceed Diabetes Canada’s recommended weekly levels for physical activity.  The researchers found structural and functional changes in the power generation parts of the cell, or mitochondria, of those with diabetes. Not only were the mitochondria less capable of producing energy for the muscle, they were also releasing excessive amounts of toxic reactive oxygen species, related to cell damage.  These changes have the ability to affect metabolism – the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life – resulting in a greater difficulty controlling blood glucose, and if unmanaged, could accelerate to a disability. The study findings add poor muscle health to the list of better-known complications of Type 1 diabetes, including nerve damage, heart disease and kidney disorders.  Thomas Hawke, corresponding author of the study and a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster says, “Now we know that even active people with diabetes have changes in their muscles that could impair their ability to manage blood sugar. Knowing in the long term that this could contribute to faster development of disability, we can start to address it early on.”   Skeletal muscle is the largest metabolic organ and is the primary tissue for clearing blood sugar after eating a meal, so it is necessary to keep muscle as healthy as possible.  With regular aerobic exercise, mitochondria in muscle increase to therefore help muscle cells use more glucose and become more efficient.  The researchers believe these dysfunctional mitochondria are what’s causing the muscle to not use glucose properly and to also damage muscle cells in the process and were surprised to see the muscles were this unhealthy in young adults with Type 1 diabetes who were regularly active.  Researchers say while further study is needed, revising evidence-based exercise guidelines, specific for those with Type 1 diabetes, may be required to keep them in the best health.  ++++++  Well that wraps up another episode of Biotechnology Focus radio. Thanks for checking in! If you would like to read the stories in full, please visit our website at biotechnologyfocus.ca. From my desk to yours – this is Michelle Currie.    

Guest: Dr. Michael McKenzie - Songcology Co-Founder radiation oncologist at the BC Cancer Agency

Ahead on Biotechnology Focus Radio : Bellus Health back in the game with a new therapeutic asset, BC Cancer Agency scientists make two breakthrough discoveries, and RepliCel Life Sciences gets by with a little help from its friends. We have this and more in store for you on this week’s show. Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus Radio. I’m your host Shawn Lawrence, here to give you a rundown of this week’s top stories on the Canadian biotech scene.   Our first story this week takes us to CALGARY, AB where a team of Canadian physicians and researchers are believed to be the first in the world to have used gene therapy to treat a patient with Fabry disease, a rare inherited enzyme deficiency that can damage major organs and shorten lifespan. Specifically, people with the disease have a gene called GLA that doesn’t function as it should; as a result their bodies are unable to make the correct version of a particular enzyme that breaks down a fat called Gb3. A buildup of Gb3 can lead to problems in the kidneys, heart and brain. In their experimental trial, the researchers led by Dr. Aneal Khan, a Alberta Health Services medical geneticist and member of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary collected a quantity of a Fabry patient’s own blood stem cells then used a specially engineered virus to augment those cells with copies of the fully functional gene that is responsible for the enzyme. The altered stem cells were then transplanted back into the patient on Jan. 11, 2017. While Dr. Khan says it’s too soon to say whether this therapy will ultimately be a long-term treatment for the disease, based on the team’s success in animal trials, he is hopeful it will be a beneficial to patients Dr. Jeffrey Medin, a researcher with the Medical College of Wisconsin and the project’s principal investigator, adds that the trial is a major step forward in treating inherited genetic diseases in adults. The treatment, which has been approved by Health Canada for experimental purposes, is also believed to be the first trial in Canada to use a lentivirus in gene therapy. In this case, the specially modified virus was stripped of its disease-causing capability and augmented with a working copy of the gene that’s responsible for the missing enzyme. The project is being funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Kidney Foundation of Canada. The Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre in Halifax and the University Health Network in Toronto are also recruiting people with Fabry disease for the trial. In R&D news, a team of BC Cancer Agency scientists has made two exciting drug discoveries that could potentially allow for new approaches to target various cancers more specifically, through the exploitation of mutations found only in cancer cells and not normal cells. The first discovery, which has already led to a clinical trial, exploits the inability of BRCA1/2 deficient cancers to repair their own DNA. The second discovery is of a drug-like molecule that can alter the way cells translate genetic information into proteins. Both discoveries were made by Dr. Sam Aparicio, head of the Department of Breast and Molecular Oncology, and his research team at the BC Cancer Agency.The first success in this area is a discovery published in Nature Communications, where Dr. Aparicio’s team has discovered that the drug, CX-5461, originally developed for cancers of the blood and lymph system, can be repurposed as a drug treatment for breast cancer. Still early in its clinical development life cycle, CX-5461 has been shown through Dr. Aparicio’s latest work, to bind to the DNA of certain regions of the genome causing it to fold up and interrupt the DNA copying process. Thus, the compound is selectively active in tumours from patients with mutations in the BRCA1/2 gene, known to cause a strong familial predisposition to breast cancer, and account for approximately 15 per cent of the population with the disease. The study is currently in Phase 1 of a multi-centre clinical trial coordinated by Canadian Cancer Trials Group, which began in June of 2016. Phase two will accept even more patients to determine whether the activity found through preclinical studies is reflected in responses in patients. Both Dr. Aparicio and Dr. Karen Gelmon, senior scientist, medical oncologist and the clinical trial lead for the study add that if the trial is successful, they then hope to expand testing to other types of cancer in the near future. In addition to the CX-5461 findings, a second paper published in Nature Communications communicates the discovery of a different prototype drug, a compound called ‘T3’, engineered to alter the way that cells translate DNA, through splicing of RNA, into proteins. According to the researchers, this small, yet highly-potent drug-like molecule, currently in lab-testing, is being used to understand how different breast cancer cells might be susceptible to having RNA splicing interrupted. The drug molecule interferes with the molecular machinery that stiches gene sequences together to make fully functional proteins. Mutations in RNA splicing genes and defects in splicing have been found in diverse cancers, including breast cancer. The prototype drug molecules are allowing Dr. Aparicio and his team to seek out situations where cancer cells are uniquely susceptible to interference with RNA splicing. As alluded to, both drug development studies are currently centered in breast cancer treatment, but hope to expand to other types, including prostate and ovarian. Dr. Aparicio and his team’s work was supported with strategic funding from the BC Cancer Foundation. In Business new, two European firms are teaming up with Vancouver based regenerative medicine company, RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.to assist RepliCel in getting its commercial-grade RCI-02 dermal injector prototypes manufactured and tested. One of the partnering firms, AMI, is an Austrian manufacturer of medical technology based near the shores of Lake Constance, within easy reach of Germany and Switzerland. AMI develops, manufactures and distributes their medical products throughout the world. All of them are made according to the highest quality standards and enable doctors to take even better care of their patients. The second partner, Art of Technology (AoT), is based in Zurich Switzerland and is an independent contract developer specializing in the design, development and miniaturization of complex customer specific electronic devices and embedded systems for use in industrial, medical and space applications. The RCI-02 injector itself was designed with input from dermatologists, industrial designers, and electronic and medical device engineers to improve the delivery of a variety of injectables in a controlled, precise manner, removing the risks and uncertainties of injection outcomes currently resulting from manually operated, single-needle syringes. According to RepliCel president and CEO, Lee Buckler, it is the world’s first motorized injection device with programmable depth and volume, a built-in Peltier element for pre-injection anaesthetising, and interchangeable needle head configurations. It is designed to deliver a variety of injectable substances including cells, dermal fillers, drugs or biologics intradermally (dermis), subcutaneously (fat) or intramuscularly (muscle) via an array of needle configurations ranging from a single needle to a 16 needle configuration (4×4) on one head. Buckler adds that the execution of these agreements covers what RepliCel believes to be the final stages needed to prepare RCI-02 for a market authorization application in the form of a CE mark in Europe. The company hopes to have the device ready for a CE mark application and in the hands of a licensing and commercial partner next year. Our next story takes us to the Maritime provinces where the Terry Fox Research Institute is investing $5-million in support of New Brunswick researchers and their colleagues at other cancer centres in Canada to study how new precision medicine tools could improve, and potentially save the lives of patients diagnosed with the incurable cancer of the blood and bone marrow, known as multiple myeloma. The initiative is known as the Multiple Myeloma Molecular Monitoring (M4) Study, and Dr. Tony Reiman, a medical oncologist and professor at the University of New Brunswick, will lead the team, which comprises researchers and clinicians at multiple sites including Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. Dr. Reiman says that he hopes the five-year study will result in game-changing new approaches to identifying, treating and monitoring the disease in patients, including those who are at high risk of relapse. His team in Saint John will organize all the participating centres as well as conduct its own research and receive and bank specimens (blood and marrow) from the 250 myeloma patients that will participate in the project. Additionally, M4 study team members will use tests based on advanced techniques like immunoglobulin gene sequencing, multiparameter flow cytometry, PET scans, circulating tumour DNA analysis, and novel drug resistance assays to evaluate the patient specimens and other biosamples. Principal investigators at the partner sites are: Drs. Donna Reece and Suzanne Trudel, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre; Dr. Nizar Bahlis, University of Calgary; and Dr. François Bénard, BC Cancer Agency. Patients will be recruited by the study investigators at their own sites. Principal investigators Drs. Reece and Trudel (PM) explain their role in M4 study in the following audio. BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics Inc., a HACKENSACK, N.J.- based company developing adult stem cell technologies for neurodegenerative diseases, has signed an agreement with CCRM in the hopes of furthering its market authorization request for NurOwn®.  For our new listeners, CCRM is a Toronto-based company focused on developing and commercializing regenerative medicine technologies, specifically cell and gene therapies. Through the agreement, CCRM will help Brainstorm explore opportunities to access Health Canada’s early access pathway for treatment of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).  If NurOwn® qualifies for Health Canada’s “Notice of Compliance with Conditions” pathway, it could be authorized in Canada for distribution in early 2018. Through the agreement, the company will work Patrick Bedford, manager of clinical translation and regulatory affairs at CCRM. Stacey Johnson (@msstaceyerin) , director, communications and marketing at CCRM and editor of Signals Blog discussed this deal recently via her regular Right Turn column Be sure to check it out at http://www.signalsblog.ca/right-turn-new-stem-cell-product-for-als-seeking-approval-in-canada/. For our final story, nearly a year since it’s failed KIACTA™ Phase 3 trial and subsequently being forced into pulling the plug on its KIACTA program, BELLUS Health is back from the brink as the Montreal-based company announced a new partnership and licensing deal with The NEOMED Institute to take over the development and commercialization activities for a potential new treatment for chronic cough. According to Bellus stakeholders,, this is a transformative transaction as this exclusive worldwide license agreement adds to the company’s pipeline a potentially best-in-class drug candidate, BLU-5937, an asset which was formerly known as NEO5937.  Its development through  the P2X3 antagonist program was initiated by AstraZeneca scientists in Montreal, and assigned to NEOMED in October 2012 when the NEOMED Institute was first launched. It was selected as a drug candidate to advance towards the clinic based on development efforts and extensive pre-clinical work in chronic cough done at NEOMED. According to Roberto Bellini, president and CEO of the company, the drug now going by its new name BLU-5937  will be a core focus of BELLUS’s drug development efforts. About the condition, Chronic cough is a cough that lasts eight weeks or longer and significantly impacts quality of life, with significant social (exclusion, embarrassment, difficulty speaking), physical (sleep deprivation, rib fracture, vomiting) and psychosocial (anxiety, depression) repercussions. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, more than 2.7 million patients suffer from chronic cough that is not controlled by currently available medications. How BLU-5937 works to treat it, is it acts on a clinically validated target in the chronic cough pathway, the P2X3 receptor. Both the company and NEOMED believe BLU-5937 has the potential to become a best-in-class treatment option because of its superior potency and selectivity for the P2X3 receptor. These properties suggest BLU-5937 will be effective and less likely to cause a problematic side effect seen with less-selective drugs: taste disturbances that are significant enough to affect drug compliance. Under the terms of the agreement, BELLUS Health will pay NEOMED an upfront fee of $3.2 million, consisting of $1.7 million in cash with $1.5 million worth of BELLUS Health common shares (Approximately 5,802,177 shares). NEOMED will also be entitled to receive a royalty on net sales-based revenues. Additionally, in lieu of milestone payments, a certain portion of all other revenues received by BELLUS Health from BLU-5937 will be shared with NEOMED according to a pre-established schedule whereby the shared revenue portion decreases as the program progresses in development. Well that wraps up another episode of the Biotechnology Focus Podcast. We hope you enjoyed it. Be sure to let us know what you think, and we’re also always looking for story ideas and suggestions for future shows, and of course we’d love to hear from you as well, simply reach out to us via twitter @biotechfocus, or by email at the following email address  press@promotivemedia.ca. And remember, you can also listen to past episodes online via our podcast portal at www.biotechnologyfocus.ca . For all of us here at Biotechnology Focus, thanks for listening

On this weeks show, Accelerating precision medicine for cancer patients, Avivagen partners with NRC to tackle antibiotic resistance in humans, and Knight buys in on an Israeli biotech, We have all this and more on this week’s Biotechnology Focus Radio Show Podcast. Welcome to another episode of Biotechnology Focus Podcast. I’m your host Shawn Lawrence, here to give you a rundown of this week’s top stories on the Canadian biotech scene, Story Montreal’s Knight Therapeutics-a specialty pharma company reports it is taking a small stake in an Israeli-based company, Protalix BioTherapeutics, through the acquisition of 6,200,000 common shares of the company at an average price of US$0.57 per share. With the purchase, Knight now owns approximately five per cent of the outstanding common shares of Protalix. The shares were purchased by Abir Therapeutics Ltd., Knight’s wholly-owned Israeli headquartered subsidiary, which owns 28.3 per cent of Medison Pharma (Medison), Israel’s third largest pharmaceutical company ranked by revenues. It is anticipated that Medison will provide selected services to Abir in order to launch innovative pharmaceuticals in Israel.  Protalix, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company is focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins expressed through its proprietary plant cell-based expression system, ProCellEx®. Protalix’s first product manufactured by ProCellEx, taliglucerase alfa, was approved for marketing by the U.S. FDA. Story In VICTORIA, BC, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals Inc. reports it has selected Worldwide Clinical Trials as its Clinical Research Organization (CRO) for the company’s AURORA Phase 3 study of volcosporin for the treatment of active lupus nephritis (LN). Voclosporin, an investigational drug, is calcineurin inhibitor and immunosuppressant. According to the company, by inhibiting calcineurin, voclosporin blocks IL-2 expression and T-cell mediated immune responses. It is made by a modification of a single amino acid of the cyclosporine molecule which has shown a more predictable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic relationship, an increase in potency, an altered metabolic profile, and potential for flat dosing.  Lupus Nephritis (LN) in an inflammation of the kidney caused by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and represents a serious progression of SLE. SLE is a chronic, complex and often disabling disorder and affects more than 500,000 people in the United States (mostly women). With the selection of Worldwide, Aurinia will now proceed with conducting a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind global 52-week trial in approximately 320 patients. The primary endpoint as in the Phase 2b AURA trial is renal response (complete remission), at 24 weeks. In addition to the assessment of renal response, a key marker of clinical benefit in this population is the duration of proteinuria improvement. Therefore, secondary endpoints will include the duration of renal response at 52 weeks (48 weeks in AURA), an efficacy measure which delineates durability of renal response (remission), an important parameter in evaluating long-term outcomes for the treatment of LN. Story On the business front, Mississauga’s Aralez Pharmaceuticals announced last week that it is opening new offices in Dublin, Ireland. The company, which focuses on cardiovascular, pain and other specialty areas, says it plans to add more highly skilled jobs in Dublin by the end of 2017, and use these offices as a launching pad for expansion into the broader European Union market. The Dublin offices are Aralez's first permanent business premises outside of North America.   Story New findings published in Nature are highlighting the potential of a new messenger RNA vaccine to protect against Zika virus. Acuitas Therapeutics Inc., a private biotechnology company based in Vancouver published the data demonstrating that single low dose immunization with a messenger RNA delivered in an Acuitas LNP carrier has the potential to protect against infection by Zika virus. The company is developing a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology for the messenger RNA (mRNA).  In the Nature paper, Acuitas Therapeutics scientists and academic researchers including Dr. Drew Weissman, a professor of Infectious Diseases in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania showed that single low-dose immunization with mRNA-LNP encoding the pre-membrane and envelope (prM-E) glycoproteins of a Zika virus strain responsible for the 2013 outbreak elicited potent, durable and protective neutralizing antibody responses in animals. The company in collaboration with Dr. Weissman say they hope to further advance this exciting new therapeutic modality. Story In Ottawa, ON, Avivagen Inc., a life sciences company commercializing products intended to replace the antibiotics added to livestock feeds, with the help of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has launched a new project to establish proof-of-concept for a first human health application of its OxC-beta™ Technology. The technology is derived from Avivagen discoveries about carotenoids, compounds that give certain fruits and vegetables their bright colors and is a non-antibiotic means of maintaining optimal health and growth. OxC-beta™ Livestock is a proprietary product shown to be effective and economic in replacing the antibiotics commonly added to livestock feeds.  Specifically, the project will evaluate the efficacy of OxC-beta™ Technology (“OxC-beta”) in an established research model of an infectious disease of humans. Work will be conducted by NRC experts at its facilities based upon a jointly developed protocol and is expected to be completed in 2017. Dr. James (Jamie) Nickerson, Avivagen’s director of product validation, commented on the project and its objectives, saying the company is pleased to be working with NRC. He adds that OxC-beta has demonstrated safety and effectiveness across more than a dozen livestock trials and those results suggest it could also prove to be important to human health and well-being. Neither the NRC or Avivagen have disclosed the specific disease target at this time, in the hopes of ensuring the patentability of this potential new application for OxC-beta™ technology. What is known is that the disease target is one of the top 18 urgent, serious or concerning drug-resistance threats listed by the United States Centers for Disease Control (the “CDC”). Story Vancouver’s Aequus Pharmaceuticals has landed $100,000 in funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program to support the ongoing Proof of Concept clinical study of its lead product candidate, AQS1301, a once-weekly transdermal aripiprazole patch. Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic and the active ingredient in Abilify®, a leading medication in the US used for the treatment of a number of psychiatric disorders including bipolar I disorder, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and irritability associated with autistic disorder. Aripiprazole is currently available in once-daily oral tablets and a once-monthly injectable form, however, medication adherence continues to be a significant challenge for patients. In terms of the clinical study, Aequus anticipates results of this repeat dose, 28-day study in the first quarter of 2017. The results will be used to inform the final design of the patch to be advanced into the regulatory phase of its clinical trials. Aequus expects to confirm its regulatory development plan in a pre-Investigational New Drug (pre-IND) meeting with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the second half of 2017. Story In Toronto, Trillium Therapeutics Inc, a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer, has initiated dosing in its second Phase 1 clinical trial with TTI-621 in patients with relapsed or refractory percutaneously-accessible solid tumors and mycosis fungoides. Trillium is developing TTI-621 as a novel checkpoint inhibitor of the innate immune system, and the drug is currently being evaluated in an ongoing 10-cohort Phase 1b study in patients with relapsed or refractory hematologic malignancies. The two-part clinical trial is designed as a multi-center, open-label Phase 1a/1b trial, with TTI-621 being evaluated as a single-agent in patients. The escalation phase will include single or multiple doses of TTI-621 delivered by intratumoral injections, which will be followed by an expansion phase during which one or more selected dose levels of TTI-621 will be tested. Story Wrapping things up this week, in a national first,t he Terry Fox Research Institute and two leading cancer centres in Canada -- the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto and the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver – are partnering on an innovative pilot project to accelerate precision medicine for their cancer patients. The initiative comes at a time when other developed countries are investing heavily in strategies to improve survival from cancer through precision medicine and increased collaboration. The pilot will provide much-needed evidence on how best to roll out a broader vision for data sharing and collaborative translational and clinical research to enable precision medicine for cancer patients.  The pilot is the first phase for developing and implementing a national program that will link high-performing comprehensive cancer research centres, hospitals and universities and their clinical and laboratory programs across Canada through the Terry Fox Designated Canadian Comprehensive Cancer Centres Network. Through the pilot project, each organization will provide complementary analyses of specimens (e.g. tumour biopsies and blood samples), identify and determine ways to harmonize their research processes, set up an IT infrastructure for data sharing, and develop resources required to conduct multi-centre precision medicine clinical trials.  The initial focus will be on colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancers, with the goal of improving the health outcomes of patients through treatment by precision medicine. Each organization is contributing $4 million over the next two years for a $12-million total investment that will see multidisciplinary teams focus on four specific research thrusts that are institutional priorities: genomics, immunotherapy, molecular imaging and data sharing. That concludes another episode of the Biotechnology Focus Podcast. If you like our show, let us know via a twitter, you can We’re also always looking for your feedback, story ideas and suggestions so we’d love to hear from you.  You can also listen to past episodes online via our podcast portal at www.biotechnologyfocus.ca . For all of us here at Biotechnology Focus, thanks for listening.

Back in 2009 at the annual AGBT meeting for sequencing, Marco Marra presented one of the first cases of cancer treatment using whole genome sequencing. We caught up with Marco at his office at the University of British Columbia where he heads the Department of Medical Genetics. Marco also directs the Genome Sciences Center which is part of a very special organization called the BC Cancer Agency.

"Do the right thing, for the right reason." The Sam Abraham philosophy. We often view science as amoral and objective, but like any human institution that's not true. What we accomplish with science depends on how scientists apply their findings to the context of our society. In this interview we speak with Sam Abraham, Vice President of Research and Vice President of Business and IP Development for the BC Cancer Agency. We discuss how findings go from the lab to the bedside and the institutional hurtles along the way.

Tom Walker is the President and CEO of LionsGate Technologies, a company that designs and produces life-saving mobile medical technology.   Tom has over 25 years of global medical device industry leadership. He has held senior management positions with Physio-Control, Eli Lilly, Cardinal Health, and AGFA HealthCare. These positions focused on North American and international business and corporate development. He also has extensive early-stage venture experience: he has led start-up initiatives, consulted with numerous early-stage medical ventures, and participated in several successful exits. He has also led key technology transfer initiatives with the University of Waterloo, the BC Cancer Agency, and the University of British Columbia (UBC). Tom is on the Board of Directors of Race Rocks Management Inc., Karos Health Inc.

People with cancer may deal with persistent, often severe, pain. Although doctors agree that controlling cancer pain is a high priority, pain isn't always well understood or effectively treated. To  help us better understand cancer pain how best to manage it, we chat to Dr. Pippa Hawley. Dr Hawley is an internist and a Palliative Medicine Specialist at the BC Cancer Agency.

Interview with Prof. Randy Gascoyne, Clinical Professor of Pathology and Research Director, Centre for Lymphoid Cancers, BC Cancer Agency. Prof. Gascoyne discusses the topic 'Molecular pathology of Hodgkin s lymphoma and prognostic implications'. The interview is led by Shaun McCann, Chair of EHATol Unit, Member of EHA Education Committee.

Interview with Prof. Randy Gascoyne, Clinical Professor of Pathology and Research Director, Centre for Lymphoid Cancers, BC Cancer Agency. Prof. Gascoyne discusses the topic 'Molecular pathology of Hodgkin s lymphoma and prognostic implications'. The interview is led by Shaun McCann, Chair of EHATol Unit, Member of EHA Education Committee.

ecancer talks to Dr Karen Gelmon about working with two HER2 blocking agents, trastuzumab and lapatinib. Data presented at the ASCO 2012 Annual Meeting, Chicago, showed that patients lived longer with trastuzumab as compared to lapatinib, in cases with HER2 centrally confirmed, by 4.7 months. Reasons for this are that lapatinib targets HER1 and HER2 while trastuzumab targets only HER2. Results from this study give doctors the ability to clearly choose an appropriate course of treatment for patients as lapatinib is still recommended for refractory treatment.

Jeff Barnett, a UVic co-op employer, alumnus and instructor in the School of Health Information Science, completed the online masters program in health informatics while working full time. He is the Director of Clinical Informatics at the BC Cancer Agency.