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Principal Investigator, Lady Davis Institute
Assistant
Professor, Division of Gynecologic Oncology,
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McGill University
Major Research Activities
The types of research carried out touch
upon the following main themes:
- Epigenetic modulation and impact on the tumor microenvironment
The tumor microenvironment (TME) have become an important area of research. We now understand that there are immunosuppressive factors that promote tumorigenesis and tumor-immune cell interactions and immune phenotypic changes that influence response/resistance to treatment.
- Development and validation of predictive/prognostic biomarkers
Part of our mission is to personalize patients’ treatment and to provide the right treatment, at the time to the right patient. Identifying biomarkers to predict response to a given treatment can potentially avoid undertreating or overtreating patients. Using a surrogate marker for DNA repair pathways deficiencies are currently a promising avenue for gynecologic cancers. Furthermore, non-invasive tests, such as circulating tumor DNA, is a new field of interest in our laboratory.
- Development of a preclinical model platform
This theme addresses two important areas: 1) to understand the basic biology and etiology of gynecologic cancer initiation and progression, and 2) to establish clinically relevant preclinical models to a) improve precision medicine and b) to develop a platform for for accurate prediction of therapeutic efficacy of targeted therapies in clinical trials.
- Targeting DNA repair pathways in gynecological cancers
Alteration in the expression of repair genes is a common feature of many gynecological cancers. DNA repair alterations can lead to tumor initiation and may be due to genetic mutations, transcriptional regulation, and epigenetic modifications. These alterations may also present vulnerabilities to these cancer cells that can be exploited. Thanks to the support of our patient-partners, our team studies donated patient biospecimens to determine changes in DNA repair proteins in the development of ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Recent Publications
Brodeur MN*, Simeone K*,
Leclerc-Deslauniers K, Fleury H, Carmona E, Provencher D, Mes-Masson A-M. Carboplatin
response in preclinical models for ovarian cancer: comparison of 2D monolayers,
spheroids, exvivo tumors and invivo models. Scientific Reports. 2021
Sep 14;11(1):18183. PMC 8440566.
Patra B*, Lateef MA*, Brodeur
MN, Fleury, H, Carmona E, Péant B, Provencher D, Mes-Masson A-M, Gervais T.
Carboplatin sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines: The impact
of model systems. PLoS One. 2020 Dec 31;15(12):e0244549. PMC: 7774933.
Llaurado Fernandez M, Dawson A, Kim H, Lam, N,
Russel, H, Bruce M, Hoenisch J, Scott, S, Talhouk A, Chiu D, Provencher D, Nourmoussavi
M, DiMattia G, Lee CH, Gilks BC, Köbel M, Carey MS. Hormone Receptor
Expression and Outcomes in Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. Gynecologic
Oncology. 2020 Apr;157(1):12-20. PMID: 31954537.
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Scott SA, Llaurado M, Kim H, Elit L, Nourmoussavi
M, Glaze S, Roberts L, Offman SL, Gilks B, Matheson K, Köbel M, Dawson A,
Tinker AV, Kwon JS, Hoskins P, Santos JL, Cheung A, Provencher D, Carey MS and
the Canadian LGSC Community of Practice. Low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSC):
A Canadian multicenter review on practice patterns and patient outcomes.
2020 Apr;157(1):36-45. PMID: 32001076.
Nourmoussavi M, Pansegrau G, Popesku J, Hammond GL, Kwon JS, Carey MS. Ovarian Ablation as
Treatment for Premenopausal Breast Cancer: A Review of Treatment Considerations
and the Impact of Premature Menopause. Cancer Treatment Reviews. 2017 Apr;55:26-35. PMID: 28288389.
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