UdeM, UNB collaborate to further cancer research in province

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BY GILEAN WATTS
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

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New Brunswick has received a $3-million boost in cancer research funding.

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RON WARD/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

On hand for yesterday’s announcement were, from left: Yvon Fontaine, president and vice-chancellor of l’Université de Moncton; AdelaÏde LaPlante, president of the Canadian Cancer Society, New Brunswick; Dr. John McLaughlin, president and vice-chancellor of the University of New Brunswick; and Dr. Rodney Ouellette, CEO of the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute.

"And this money will be staying in this province," said Anne McTiernan-Gamble, executive director of the Canadian Cancer Society, New Brunswick division. "It's going to bring momentum and help move forward cancer control research in New Brunswick where, in the past, we haven't had as much money as other provinces. This will allow leverage and the flexibility to move forward."

The N.B. division of the Canadian Cancer Society announced its new partnership with l'Université de Moncton, the University of New Brunswick, and the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute at a conference yesterday.

The $3 million will go toward funding two research chairs, one at each university. These two scientists will be chosen from a pool of world-renowned cancer researchers, and will work together with the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute.

"We're going to have two full-time researchers, of national and international calibre," said Dr. Rodney Ouellette, CEO of the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute. "This is all they're going to be doing. It's going to be a huge deal."

An increase in cancer research is particularly important to New Brunswick, given its status as the region with the lowest survival rate in Canada.

"The past two decades have resulted in an explosion of knowledge about the proteins, genes and cells related to cancer, and we are closer than ever to fully understanding, controlling and preventing the disease," said Adélaïde La Plante, president of the Canadian Cancer Society, New Brunswick.

"Today, 62 per cent of people diagnosed with cancer will survive, compared to one in three in the 1960s."

The two research chairs will focus on improving the detection and treatment of cancer, particularly in the fields of gene profiling, targeted therapy and understanding how the disease forms in the body.

"It's a vote of confidence in the quality of research of our institution in order to pursue research in the field of cancer," said Yvon Fontaine, president of l'Université de Moncton.

A funding increase of this calibre may seem out of place during a time of financial worry, but it gives experts a chance to focus on what really counts, said UNB president Dr. John McLaughlin.