Our projects
At the Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS), our researchers carry out over 100 projects on a wide variety of cancers: brain, colorectal, stomach, liver, melanoma, neuroblastoma, esophagus, ovary, pancreas, lung, prostate, kidney, breast, head and neck, bladder, etc.
For more information, contact Karine Tremblay, PhD, IRCUS Scientific Coordinator, at 819 993-9719 or ircus@USherbrooke.ca.
Ovarian cancer: Catching up to do
Marilyne Labrie, PhD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
Her research aims to identify the therapeutic vulnerabilities of ovarian tumours in order to develop new, more effective personalized treatments, including immunotherapy. Professor-researcher Marilyne Labrie has decided to focus mainly on ovarian cancer because, unlike with many other types of cancer, ovarian cancer has seen little development since the 80s.
Living better with cancer
Dominique Tremblay, RN, PhD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
Her research focuses on the development and implementation of interventions linked to the transformation of clinical and organizational practices in oncology. The purpose of these interventions is to improve the quality and safety of care provided to people affected by cancer, to better support their loved ones and to optimize the work experience of care teams.
Targeting stem cells to fight digestive cancers
Véronique Giroux, PhD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
Her research focuses on a new population of stem cells in the digestive tract, more specifically in the esophagus and intestine, which are thought to be important in tissue regeneration and the onset of cancer. Professor-researcher Véronique Giroux aims to better understand the signalling pathways regulating the unique character of these cells in addition to develop new therapeutic approaches targeting stem cells to improve tissue regeneration, optimize anticancer treatments or develop new ones.
Kidney cancer: Intervening at the right time
Patrick Richard, MD, MSc, urologic oncologist, professor-researcher at IRCUS
His research focuses on active surveillance, which aims to delay treatment by closely monitoring a patient until the disease has progressed. Several medical advances, including abdominal imaging, have led to early detection of cancers, often resulting in over-diagnosis and over-treatment. Over-treatment is unlikely to improve the patient’s condition, while it can lead to a significant rate of complications impacting quality of life. The ultimate goal of the project is to better understand how the patient feels about active surveillance, in order to tip the balance in favour of less invasive approaches.
Chemoradiotherapy: Two treatments in one!
Brigitte Guérin, PhD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
Her research aims to combine radiotherapy and chemotherapy into a single drug to simplify treatment and make it more effective. Professor-researcher Brigitte Guérin is developing a new drug that contains a chemoradiation therapy agent based on platinum and copper-64, a cyclotron-produced radioisotope. It will allow her to both treat cancer and to see the effectiveness of the treatment in the human body using PET imaging. Several stages of research are still needed to determine whether this treatment could eventually be used in humans.
Understanding the immune response triggered by radiotherapy to improve treatments
Ayman Oweida, PhD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
His research aims to discover new therapeutic targets that will improve cancer’s response to radiation. Professorresearcher Ayman Oweida is attempting to define the types of immune responses triggered by radiotherapy in patients with lung, head or neck cancer. Using advanced image-guided radiotherapy and other unique approaches, he and his team are investigating new immunotherapies that can be combined with radiotherapy to improve patient treatment.
A smart bra to detect and monitor breast cancer
Elijah Van Houten, PEng, PhD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
His research aims to develop a smart bra that facilitates the detection and monitoring of breast cancer. This new portable technology would allow real-time tracking of the evolution of cancerous masses: a major breakthrough in the field. About twenty years of research, prototyping, and experimentation were necessary before professor-researcher Elijah Van Houten arrived at the current result. Remote monitoring would make life much easier for people living in remote communities or those requiring more regular follow-ups.
- Learn more about his project (in French)
Innovative approaches against brain cancer: A cell “magnet”!
David Fortin, MD, professor-researcher at IRCUS
His research aims to develop new approaches against brain cancer. Dr. David Fortin has developed a new technology called GlioTrap that acts like a magnet attracting cancer cells to treat glioblastoma multiforme. After surgery to remove a primary tumour, researchers introduce into the cavity a gel loaded with molecules that have the property of attracting cancer cells. The gel then releases doses of slow-acting chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments designed to kill the cells.
- Learn more about his project (in French)
Taking part in the fight against cancer means choosing to change the future!
Donating to the Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS) is more than just money. Your gesture helps support innovative multidisciplinary research that helps reduce the impact of cancer on those affected.