Exciting Possibilities Arise Through Blood & Tissue Donation
The Prairie Cancer Research Consortium (PCRC) is a Terry Fox Research Institute-funded pilot project that includes cancer researchers from Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton. This project is focused on building the infrastructure and tools necessary for a Precision Oncology and Discovery Platform in the Prairie Provinces.
Focusing initially on Breast Cancer and Glioblastoma, tumour samples will be collected from patients who agree to participate in the program. The samples will be subjected to genomic analysis and ultimately integrated in a national network that will seek to identify medically actionable targets. In addition, the samples collected will facilitate the development of research programs that support Precision Medicine, with emphasis on the Tumour Microenvironment.
The Alberta Cancer Research Biobank, the Clark H. Smith Tumour Bank and the Manitoba Tumour Bank all support this research through the collection and distribution of samples and clinical data. The project is also supported by CancerCare Manitoba, Cancer Care Alberta and the Universities of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Calgary and Alberta.
Biospecimens donated by cancer patients are subjected to molecular testing. The molecular information is analyzed, in conjunction with clinical data, to inform scientific questions.
Information about the collection and processing of samples for the PCRC is available HERE.
