Prevention Research Grant from the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Ferguson and colleagues who have recently secured four years of funding ($592,000) from the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute, as a Prevention Research Grant, for their prospective multi-centre study entitled “Maximizing Cancer Prevention through an Enhanced Genetic Uptake Program for Lynch Syndrome Detection in Women with Endometrial and Non-Serous Epithelial Ovarian Cancer.” While universal immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mismatch repair (MMR) proteins is the best strategy for predicting patients at risk for Lynch Syndrome, studies by Dr. Ferguson and others report a poor uptake of genetic testing in MMR-deficient patients. In the current study, universal IHC will be performed in women <70 years of age with newly diagnosed endometrial (N=700) and non-serous ovarian cancer (N=150), incorporating several novel measures to improve uptake of clinical germline testing for Lynch Syndrome in eligible patients. The main aims of the study are to: (1) assess the impact of an enhanced universal IHC program for Lynch Syndrome on uptake of genetic testing and cancer incidence, (2) determine for the first time the frequency and characteristics of Lynch Syndrome in women with non-serous ovarian cancer, (3) determine age and sex-standardized incidence ratios of colorectal, endometrial and ovarian cancer in relatives of patients with mismatch repair-deficient tumours but no evidence of a pathogenic germline mutation or MLH1 methylation, and 4) model the cost-effectiveness of an enhanced genetic uptake program in women with endometrial and non-serous ovarian cancer. 

Bottom left to right: Dr. Jordan Ellis-Lerner; Dr. Sarah Ferguson; Dr. Blaise Clarke; Dr. Aaron Pollett

Top left to right: Dr. Alicia Tone; Emily Van de Laar; Dr. Tae Hart; Dr. Amit Oza; Spring Holter; Dr. Marcus Bernardini

Missing: Dr. Danielle Vicus; Dr. Steven Gallinger; Dr. Valerie Dube; Dr. Trevor Pugh; Dr. Raymond Kim