Bridging the Gap 2024 Research Grants  

Due to the exceptional quality of the proposals received, we are pleased to announce that three projects will be funded, instead of the two initially planned. Consequently, the total investment in this partnership has increased from $1.2 million to $1.8 million to advance ovarian cancer research. Each project will receive a grant of $600,000 over a three-year period.

Promising projects led by exceptional researchers

• Dr. Melica Brodeur, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital

Project: Identifying biomarkers of immunotherapy response in ovarian clear cell carcinoma
Clear cell ovarian carcinoma is a rare type of ovarian cancer that does not respond well to chemotherapy, and treatment options are limited. Immunotherapy, a treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer cells, could be promising for this type of cancer. This study aims to thoroughly analyze tumors to identify patients who could benefit from immunotherapy and those who might experience severe side effects. The goal is to personalize treatments to improve outcomes for patients with this rare cancer.

•  Dr. Yvette Drew, BC Cancer

Project: High grade serous ovarian cancer evolution under targeted therapy
For patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, the chances of long-term survival are unfortunately low, and better treatments are needed. Dr. Drew is launching a clinical trial to evaluate a new three-drug combination. This grant will support the analysis of tumor and blood samples from patients in the trial, while also comparing them to those of women receiving standard treatments. These analyses will provide a better understanding of how cancers react to treatments and how resistance mechanisms develop. This will pave the way for critical therapeutic improvements for affected women.

•  Dr. Diane Provencher, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal

Project: Charting the cellular spatial landscape in rare ovarian cancer
Studying rare subtypes of ovarian cancer is challenging due to the lack of models. The research team for this project has spent several years gathering the largest Canadian collection of rare ovarian cancer samples and clinical data. This project aims to use advanced technologies to precisely analyze these samples, studying both the tumor cells and surrounding cells, such as those from the immune system. This data will enhance the understanding of cancer progression, treatment responses, and recurrence, and will be shared with the scientific community to improve clinical management of these rare ovarian cancers.

All grant applications were rigorously reviewed by a committee of specialized researchers and women affected by ovarian cancer. The selected projects stood out for their scientific excellence and their potential to advance research and provide new insights for women facing this disease.

This partnership between the CRS and Ovarian Cancer Canada represents a major step forward in the fight against ovarian cancer. By combining our efforts, we can support more innovative research projects that will have a tangible impact on the lives of women affected by this disease.