Canadian Head And Neck cancer GEnomic (CHANGE) Collaborative

Understanding the molecular underpinnings of high recurrence rates in oral squamous cell carcinoma to improve survival and quality of life for patients

Every year, 30,000 people in North America are diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a common and aggressive form of head and neck cancer. While some of these patients respond favourably to existing therapies for this cancer, approximately 25 per cent of early-stage and 50 per cent of late-stage patients see their cancers return, which almost inevitably leads to death.

To improve survival and quality of life for patients diagnosed with these cancers, a multi-disciplinary group of head and neck cancer experts from across the country are uniting under a newly formed team—the Canadian Head And Neck cancer GEnomic (CHANGE) Collaborative. Funded through the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network’s Pan-Canadian Project Program, the team will work together to better understand the genomic underpinnings of OSCC recurrence, with the goal of coming up with better strategies to predict whose cancer is more likely to recur after treatment and find ways to avoid recurrence.

“We plan to utilize a wide array of advanced genomic and proteomic technologies to examine changes in cancer cells from both initial and recurrent tumours from patients,” says team lead Dr. Pinaki Bose, Director of Tumour Biology and Translational Research for the Ohlson Research Initiative, and Scientific Lead of the Precision Oncology and Experimental Therapeutics Program at the University of Calgary. “By analyzing these changes, the goal is to identify specific genetic and molecular factors that drive cancer recurrence and that could be targeted with therapies to prevent it.”

We spoke to Dr. Bose, who will lead the CHANGE Collaborative that includes experts hailing from five institutions in Alberta, Quebec and Ontario. Here’s what he had to say about the project.

How would you describe your project to a lay audience?

Our overall goal is to better understand and tackle the recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We plan to utilize a wide array of advanced genomic and proteomic technologies to examine changes in cancer cells from both initial and recurrent tumours from patients. By analyzing these changes, the goal is to identify specific genetic and molecular factors that drive cancer recurrence and could be targeted with therapies to prevent it. Ultimately, this could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients suffering from OSCC, enhancing both survival rates and quality of life.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of the project?

By the end of the project, we hope to have identified the genetic and molecular drivers behind OSCC recurrence, which will help in developing targeted treatments. We aim to create prognostic signatures from our multi-omic data analysis, enabling clinicians to predict the likelihood of disease recurrence and tailor individual treatment plans. The project is set to advance our understanding of tumour evolution, particularly how OSCC adapts post-treatment, with the potential to significantly improve disease management. Furthermore, the findings could offer a new perspective on personalizing adjuvant therapies, thereby enhancing the long-term survival and quality of life for OSCC patients.

Why is this project important? How does it advance precision medicine for cancer? What potential impact could it have on patients?

The CHANGE Collaborative addresses the high recurrence rates in OSCC, aiming to improve survival and quality of life for patients. It advances precision medicine by using cutting-edge technologies to uncover the specific genetic and molecular profiles that predict OSCC recurrence, which could lead to highly individualized treatment strategies. By determining these biomarkers, the project has the potential to guide the development of personalized therapies, ensuring patients receive the most effective treatment based on their unique cancer profile. This tailored approach could significantly reduce recurrence rates, transform patient outcomes, and ultimately, could be a model for precision medicine strategies in other cancer types.

Why is it important for the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network to fund this type of work?

Our work embodies MOHCCN’s commitment to fostering ground-breaking research in cancer. By supporting projects that delve into the genetic underpinnings of cancer recurrence, the Network is enabling the development of more effective, personalized treatment protocols. This project aligns with the Network’s vision of propelling Canada to the forefront of precision medicine, directly impacting patient care by potentially reducing recurrence rates and improving survival outcomes. Moreover, the success of such projects amplifies the Network's role in driving innovation, collaboration, and progress in the fight against cancer.

All data generated through this project will also be contributed to the MOHCCN Gold Cohort, which seeks to be the largest and most complete cancer case resource in Canada. This resource will help facilitate future studies to advance precision medicine for cancer patients in Canada and beyond.