February 27, 2012
Vancouver, BC – It is estimated that three in four Canadians will have at least one human papillomavirus (HPV)infection during their lifetime. HPV, which is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, is one of the most common viruses that exists today and is also the world’s leading sexually transmitted infection. Cervical cancer and cervical dysplasia in women are the conditions most commonly associated with HPV infection. However HPV effects men as well. There has been a dramatic increase in male head and neck cancers associated with HPV, clinically known as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Vaccines targeting two of the most common cancer-causing strains of HPV have recently entered the marketplace, and while these vaccines are effective at preventing new HPV infections, they are completely ineffective for treating pre-existing infections. Thus, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic treatment options for HPV-associated cancers and cancer-causing strains not contained within the current vaccines.
With funding from Genome BC’s Proof of Concept program, Dr. John Webb of BC Cancer Agency’s Deeley Research Centre in Victoria is using an innovative approach to develop a broad-spectrum ‘therapeutic’ vaccine against HPV called “Pentarix”. Pentarix is different than the current vaccines because it vaccinates against five high-risk strains of HPV, meaning it has the potential to provide coverage against additional HPV strains not covered by existing vaccines. As well, it has been designed with the notion of being effective as a treatment for patients who may already have HPV-associated infections. This new funding from Genome BC will allow Dr. Webb to take his work through critical pre-clinical validation steps to a point where commercial partners can be sought to help fund future clinical trials.
Genome BC is also funding two other significant projects through this Proof of Concept program:
- Dr. Francis Nano at the University of Victoria is working on developing a new type of vaccine to be used in the poultry industry to immunize against Salmonella enterica. Dr. Nano’s research builds on a novel technology that has already been developed using genes from Arctic bacteria to render pathogenic bacteria temperature-sensitive in their growth. His team will apply this technology to reducing the carriage of Salmonella among poultry, and prevent its spread to humans.
- Dr. Pieter Cullis, at the University of British Columbia, has also been funded for novel work looking into functional genomics -– trying to understand what genes do and how an organism reacts when they are turned on and off. His work will allow analysis of how genes work in a rapid, simple and cost-effective way and the applications –- with the initial focus being on liver and kidney functions — are limitless, as many drugs are designed to prevent a gene from expressing some aspect. Genome BC’s funding will allow Dr. Cullis to identify new targets, which will impact how therapies are delivered.
Genome BC’s competitive, peer-reviewed Proof of Concept program has ongoing opportunities for funding. Please see our website for details: www.genomebc.ca/poc