Dr. Tom Hudson, President and Scientific Director of the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) today announced an investment of $415,000 towards the development of a radiolabelled insulin probe for the early detection of breast cancer.
The recipient of the award is Dr. John Valliant of McMaster University. Improper insulin regulation is common in a number of diseases, including breast cancer. Dr. Valliant has developed a form of insulin that is labelled with technetium, a widely-used radioisotope. It can be injected into the bloodstream and used to track changes in insulin metabolism, helping to find and monitor tumours that are currently difficult to detect.
"Supporting the best ideas in cancer research today will promote the health and economic prosperity of Ontarians now and in the future," said John Milloy, Ontario's Minister of Research and Innovation. "Thousands of Ontarians are diagnosed with breast cancer each year and this investment will help ensure this new imaging agent is developed right here in Ontario."
"This new tool can provide a non-invasive alternative method to detect breast cancer, particularly in women with small tumours or dense breast tissue," said Dr. Hudson. "This allows us to find and monitor the tumours that are currently the most difficult to see, and start treatment for patients earlier, when the likelihood of survival is much greater."
OICR will actively participate in efforts to commercialize the project by providing additional expertise and resources and working collaboratively with McMaster University and Dr. Valliant.
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