Seven new grants were awarded to researchers at the British Columbia (B.C.) Cancer Agency, University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria for undertaking studies in a variety of cancer research projects. The combined total investment from the Canadian Cancer Society in seven new and twenty-three continuing grants is approximately $23 million.

The new projects focus on better methods to improve the detection of cancers earlier and to find more effective, less harmful treatments.

The new grant recipients include:

• Wan Lam, PhD, BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, who will use a new type of computer software to compare the genetic profile of tumors in smokers and non-smokers to identify if there are different genes mutated in non-smoker lung cancers.
• David Perrin, PhD, University of British Columbia, who is working to create better PET scan images through development of a new radioactive drug that is easier to produce and is detected by the scan after being injected into the patient and travelling to cancer sites.
• Catherine Poh, DDS, PhD, University of British Columbia, who is investigating the use of a new hand-held optical tool in the identification of high-risk, pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth during exploratory surgery.
• Jeremy Wulff, PhD, University of Victoria, who is developing new molecules that interfere with two proteins known to contribute to pancreatic cancer.
• Haishan Zeng, BC Cancer Agency, will conduct a clinical study of accuracy and usefulness of laser technology to detect early signs of lung cancer.