St. Joe’s Research Studies Aim to Improve the Health of Women with Breast Cancer and Depression
Wednesday, October 21, 2015—HAMILTON, ON—October is breast cancer awareness month across Canada, but right here in Hamilton, one St. Joe’s researcher is working on a study designed to help women living with breast cancer, many of whom may be resistant to one of the most effective treatments available.
The majority of breast cancer cases (75%) are ER+ (estrogen receptor –alpha) and are treated with endocrine therapy comprised largely of the pharmacological drug Tamoxifen. However, one third of patients treated can develop a resistance to Tamoxifen, making it ineffective on their tumor.
Dr. Damu Tang, an Associate Professor of Medicine at McMaster University and a researcher in the fields of Nephrology and Oncology at the Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton, has discovered that if a particular protein (called SIPL1) is suppressed in breast cancer patients, they are less likely to develop a resistance to Tamoxifen-based therapies. This study has the potential to help thousands of women living with breast cancer by ensuring the leading treatment for ER+ breast cancer remains as effective as possible in all patients. Dr. Tang’s study is receiving a $100,000 boost over the next two years through the new Teresa Cascioli Charitable Foundation Research Award in Women’s Health.
St. Joe’s researcher, Dr. Benicio Frey is also a recipient of a one-time grant of $54,000 from the Teresa Cascioli Charitable Foundation’s new research award. Dr. Frey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology & Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and the Director of the Women’s Health Concerns Clinic at St. Joe’s. Dr. Frey’s study examines how the circadian rhythm can be altered to help women living with postpartum depression.
The Circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle of biological processes that controls one’s appetite, energy, mood and sleep patterns. Mental illnesses such as depression can alter an individual’s circadian rhythm, leading to worsened symptoms, lethargy and an inconsistent appetite. By better understanding how the rhythm has changed in individuals living with depression, Dr. Frey’s study may help to predict the onset or exacerbating of postpartum depression, and investigate non-invasive ways to alter the rhythm in a clinical setting to help manage the new mother’s depression.
“Both of these studies and their talented lead researchers are indicative of the high calibre of research happening at the Research Institute of St. Joe’s Hamilton. Women are unique, and we sometimes face unique healthcare issues. I’m honoured to have my Foundation’s name associated with these studies that have the promise to positively impact the health of women locally and globally,” said Ms. Cascioli.
In May 2015, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation received a $1.5 million gift from Ms. Cascioli’s namesake foundation to establish the Teresa Cascioli Charitable Foundation Research Award in Women’s Health. The award will grant up to $100,000 per year to support promising research studies at St. Joe’s that are focused on a woman’s life cycle, from puberty through to post-menopause. Dr. Tang and Dr. Frey were the inaugural recipients of the Teresa Cascioli Charitable Foundation’s named research award and were announced today at the Hospital’s first annual Celebrate Research Day.