Core Research Projects
The B2B Research Program consists of four interrelated core research projects:
1. Vitamin D and Inflammation
This project will examine whether low vitamin D status or chronic inflammation increases the risk of breast cancer spreading to the bone. Vitamin D deficiency may be a very prevalent, yet modifiable, risk factor for breast cancer and metastatic bone disease in Canada.
Objectives:
· Determine if the incidence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients is lower in those with higher vitamin D status as measured by questionnaire and serum data.
· Determine if the incidence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients is lower in those with lower levels of inflammation.
2. Primary Breast Tumour RNA Expression
This project will investigate if the risk of bone metastases can be determined by examining gene expression in the primary breast tumour at the time of diagnosis.
Objectives:
· Determine if the ability for breast cancer to metastasize to bone is an intrinsic characteristic of the breast tumour that could be predicted from measurement of a biomarker such as mRNA or protein expression.
· Validate candidate predictors of bone metastasis in primary breast cancer specimens. The candidate signature includes measurement of the expression of CXCR3, SDF1, FGF5, MMP1, IL-11 and OPN.
3. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Metabolic Markers for Bone Metastases
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy will be used to determine the metabolite profile of serum samples with the goal of determining a group of metabolic biomarkers (a “bioprofile”) which correlates with breast cancer and is predictive of bone metastasis.
Objectives:
· Identify metabolites which have undergone a significant increase or decrease in concentration depending on disease status.
· Conduct a focused analysis of metabolites associated with specific metabolic pathways and correlate this with the levels of vitamin D and the inflammatory markers determined in core project 1.
4. A Breast Cancer Stem Cell Approach to Cancer Metastases
This project seeks to identify how breast cancer stem cells communicate with bone cells after cancer spreads. The collection of fresh tissue at the time of surgery allows for the establishment of human breast tumour-initiating cell cultures.
Objective:
· Determine if CD44+/CD24-/low cells (breast cancer stem cells) or non-CD44+/CD24-/low cells promote osteoclast differentiation leading to bone metastases.
1. Vitamin D and Inflammation
This project will examine whether low vitamin D status or chronic inflammation increases the risk of breast cancer spreading to the bone. Vitamin D deficiency may be a very prevalent, yet modifiable, risk factor for breast cancer and metastatic bone disease in Canada.
Objectives:
· Determine if the incidence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients is lower in those with higher vitamin D status as measured by questionnaire and serum data.
· Determine if the incidence of bone metastases in breast cancer patients is lower in those with lower levels of inflammation.
2. Primary Breast Tumour RNA Expression
This project will investigate if the risk of bone metastases can be determined by examining gene expression in the primary breast tumour at the time of diagnosis.
Objectives:
· Determine if the ability for breast cancer to metastasize to bone is an intrinsic characteristic of the breast tumour that could be predicted from measurement of a biomarker such as mRNA or protein expression.
· Validate candidate predictors of bone metastasis in primary breast cancer specimens. The candidate signature includes measurement of the expression of CXCR3, SDF1, FGF5, MMP1, IL-11 and OPN.
3. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Metabolic Markers for Bone Metastases
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy will be used to determine the metabolite profile of serum samples with the goal of determining a group of metabolic biomarkers (a “bioprofile”) which correlates with breast cancer and is predictive of bone metastasis.
Objectives:
· Identify metabolites which have undergone a significant increase or decrease in concentration depending on disease status.
· Conduct a focused analysis of metabolites associated with specific metabolic pathways and correlate this with the levels of vitamin D and the inflammatory markers determined in core project 1.
4. A Breast Cancer Stem Cell Approach to Cancer Metastases
This project seeks to identify how breast cancer stem cells communicate with bone cells after cancer spreads. The collection of fresh tissue at the time of surgery allows for the establishment of human breast tumour-initiating cell cultures.
Objective:
· Determine if CD44+/CD24-/low cells (breast cancer stem cells) or non-CD44+/CD24-/low cells promote osteoclast differentiation leading to bone metastases.
