Radiation oncology association hands out $200,000 in awards

OTTAWA | Nine radiation oncologists are exploring next generation enhancements to prostate cancer treatment with support from Abbott Oncology’s ACURA Uro-Oncologic Radiation Awards.The Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology selected the 2011 recipients from a total of 34 applicants.Dr. Gerard Morton, committee chair, explained in an April 19 press release, “The ACURA Award program provides a unique and highly valued source of seed funding for basic science, translational, clinical and population-based prostate cancer research. A total of 93 Canadian projects have been funded in the past ten years.”Examples of the 2011 research initiatives include:• Dr. Nawaid Usmani of Edmonton’s Cross Cancer Institute is exploring the use of genetic information to identify aggressive cancers when patients are first diagnosed, in order to help guide doctors in choosing the most effective treatments for their patients.• Dr. Eric Vigneault of CHUQ and Hôtel-Dieu de Québec is examining the impact of delayed wait times in the treatments of patients with intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer. The retrospective study will evaluate how patient outcomes are affected by the amount of time between prostate biopsy and treatment.• Dr. John Amanie of the University of Alberta is studying the targeted use of gold nanoparticles to enhance the tumor killing effect of radiation therapy on prostate cancer cells. The goal is to improve cure rates, while minimizing side effects on surrounding tissues near the prostate gland.• Dr. Cynthia Menard of Toronto’s Princess Margaret Hospital is developing a new PET scan for patients with prostate cancer that will help to guide and tailor radiation treatments based on the oxygen properties of each patient’s cancer.• Dr. George Rodrigues of London Health Sciences Centre is creating the Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification database, which will provide Canadian cancer researchers with an unparalleled opportunity to define risk categories and treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients.Other award recipients include: Dr. Julie Bowen, Regional Cancer Program, Sudbury Regional Hospital; Dr. Hans Chung, Odette Cancer Centre; Dr. Laura D’Alimonte, Odette Cancer Centre; and, Dr. Raffi Karshafian, Ryerson University & Odette Cancer Centre.

Radiation oncology association hands out $200,000 in awards

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