February 4 | World Cancer Day
5 Major Discoveries from the Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS)
World-class research that is opening new paths in the fight against cancer and renewing hope for those affected. That is the tangible impact of Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS) researchers. Through innovation, they develop more powerful diagnostic tools and more targeted treatments, while training the next generation of scientists who will carry this critical fight forward. Here are five of these major breakthroughs emerging from its laboratories and from significant international collaborations.
When the Immune System Goes off Track Because of Treatment
Dr. Hugues Allard-Chamard, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Researcher at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and rheumatologist at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS
People with advanced kidney cancer or melanoma are often treated with an immunotherapy drug (ipilimumab) that targets a key protein — the one that helps control the immune system. However, for nearly a quarter of patients receiving this drug, targeting this protein triggers serious side effects: they develop autoimmune diseases that can be fatal, even when the treatment is stopped.
Dr. Hugues Allard-Chamard, who studies the diseases of the immune system, is interested in this same protein targeted by cancer treatments. By taking a closer look at people with a deficiency in this protein, he understood its defective mechanism. This discovery opens the door to new strategies to prevent autoimmune complications during cancer treatment.
The Immunotherapy That No Longer Wants to Play Hide-and-Seek with Cancer
Subburaj Ilangumaran, Ph.D., and Sheela Ramanathan, Ph.D., Professors and Researchers at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
The immune system acts as a guardian of the human body; it can even detect and eliminate cancer cells. But, sometimes, these cells have learned how to hide. In such cases, one of their strategies is to disable a key protein –the one that helps detect signs of cancer and then alerts the immune system to destroy it.
Professors Subburaj Ilangumaran and Sheela Ramanathan have shown that cancer progresses more rapidly in the absence of this protein. Their discovery underscores the importance of this protein in immune surveillance and opens a promising avenue for research: finding a way to “repair” the key protein to force cancers to become visible again to the immune system.
The team is now shifting into high gear to develop innovative immunotherapies based on this key protein.
Destroying Metastases Without Damaging the Brain Through Targeted Radiosurgery
Dr. David Mathieu, M.D., FRCSC, Professor and Researcher at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and neurosurgeon oncologist at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS
Brain metastases arising from bladder cancer and gynecologic cancers present a major challenge: on top of being difficult to treat, they are becoming more frequent as patients now survive longer than before, giving the disease more time to spread to the brain.
Two large international studies, led by Dr. David Mathieu, have assessed the effectiveness of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) performed using what is called a Gamma Knife. This high precision technique focuses high-energy beams on the tumour without damaging the rest of the brain.
The results obtained are remarkable: nearly 90% of the treated brain metastases were controlled, with very few side effects. SRS therefore appears to be a safe, effective and well-tolerated approach for patients, offering a new targeted therapeutic option.
Gynecologic Cancer: An Innovative Treatment, Yet Not Easily Accessible
Mélanie Morin, Ph.D., Professor and Researcher at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Dr. Paul Bessette, Professor and Researcher at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and gynecologic oncologist at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS
Dr. Korine Lapointe-Milot, Professor and Researcher at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, and gynecologic oncologist at the CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS
Every year, more than 8,000 Canadian women survive an endometrial or cervical cancer. Among these survivors, nearly 70% experience pain during sexual intercourse. This pain is called dyspareunia.
A research team at IRCUS, led by Professor Mélanie Morin, has developed a cutting-edge treatment to help women struggling with these pains. An innovative approach that relies on a multimodal pelvic floor physiotherapy treatment, whose benefits have been validated through a series of studies.
Even though many scientists support the integration of this treatment in the follow-up care of gynecologic cancer survivors, the “Sherbrooke” treatment remains little known. Yet if this treatment were accessible, it could transform the lives of thousands of women living with dyspareunia.
Medicinal Chemistry Tackles an “Orphan” Therapeutic Target to Treat Aggressive Cancers
Richard Leduc, Ph.D., and Pierre-Luc Boudreault, Ph.D., Professors and Researchers at IRCUS and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Armed with a collection of 65 innovative molecules in medicinal chemistry, the team led by Professors Richard Leduc and Pierre-Luc Boudreault is advancing cancer research. Indeed, one of their molecules has succeeded in controlling a specific protein, the one whose dysfunction drives the progression of aggressive cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer and advanced colorectal cancer.
This deleterious protein had been seldom studied, but with this discovery, the team is paving the way for a new generation of therapies capable of slowing tumour growth — even at low doses — a clear advantage in reducing side effects.
This breakthrough offers a tangible hope for more precise and effective treatments against hard-to-treat cancers.
For World Cancer Day (February 4, 2026), IRCUS proudly marks its 5th anniversary. Five years defined by promising discoveries and an unwavering commitment to the fight against cancer, which remains, year after year, the leading cause of death in Canada. By supporting bold and collaborative research, IRCUS aims not only to reduce the impact of cancer but also to transform the experience of those affected at every stage of their journey.
Photo : Mathieu Lanthier - UdeS
About the Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS)
The mission of IRCUS, its raison d’être, is to develop synergistic and innovative interdisciplinary research aimed at reducing the impact of cancer on people affected by the disease. In particular, the research projects conducted at IRCUS help advance the understanding, detection and treatment of all cancers, while also improving care and services.
In addition to conducting high‑quality research, IRCUS trains the next generation of students and professionals who are essential to tomorrow’s fight against cancer. It distinguishes itself through its transformative impact across all key stages of the oncology care and services continuum, encompassing prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, end-of-life care and life after cancer. This integrated approach enables the Institute to make a meaningful contribution at every stage of cancer patients’ journey.