First all-Canadian Antarctic expedition greeted by Brazilians
CBC News's international climate correspondent Susan Ormiston gives an update on the first all-Canadian Antarctic expedition from Admiralty Bay where scientists from Canada were received by Brazilian researchers on land, and its navy on water.
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Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
The Novartis Oncology Young Canadian Investigator Awards (NOYCIA) returns for its 22nd year at ASCO 2025 Français
For over two decades, NOYCIA has fueled emerging research in Canada, driving scientific knowledge in cancer MONTREAL, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Novartis Canada is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 Novartis Oncology Young Canadian Investigator Awards (NOYCIA), an annual national competition dedicated to advancing oncology through the promotion of research by supporting Canadian oncology researchers. This year marks the 22nd year of the awards, which took place on Sunday, June 1st at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. NOYCIA celebrates the innovative work by selecting ten oncology researchers from Canada who have had their abstracts accepted at ASCO and demonstrate excellence in their area of study. "At Novartis, we are deeply committed to advancing scientific knowledge through innovation and collaboration," said Sophia Kajla, Chief Scientific Officer and Vice-President, Scientific Affairs, Novartis Canada. "The NOYCIA Awards remain at the forefront of supporting innovative cancer research in Canada, reflecting Novartis Canada's ongoing commitment to advancing science and improving patient outcomes. We are proud to continue celebrating and investing in early-career oncology leaders who are pushing the boundaries of discovery and clinical impact." Following deliberation by NOYCIA's Scientific Panel, this year's award recipients were selected for their pioneering research, spanning a range of disciplines, from immune checkpoint inhibitors and immunotherapy to healthcare systems and health human resource planning: The 2025 NOYCIA recipients are: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Immunotherapy: Luciana Siqueira, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Abstract: The association between emotional distress prior to receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors and overall survival among patients with cancer: A population-based study Supervisors: Dr. Lawson Eng & Dr. Marcus Butler Edmond Rafie, Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Abstract: Dietary compounds and patterns associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) outcomes in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Supervisor: Dr. Arielle Elkrief Patrick Tuan Hoang, University of Toronto Abstract: Identification of immunotherapy early treatment failure in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using a novel cell-free DNA (cfDNA) tissue-agnostic genome-wide methylome enrichment assay Supervisor: Dr. Adrian Sacher Gregoire Marret, University Health Network Abstract: Spatial transcriptomics analysis to predict response to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell cancer (RM-HNSCC) Supervisor: Dr. Lilian Siu Rami Habib, McGill University Abstract: JAK inhibitor for the treatment of steroid refractory and life threatening immune-related adverse events secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors Supervisor: Dr. Khashayar Esfahani Transcriptomics and Molecular Analysis: Xin Wang, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Abstract: Correlative and spatial transcriptomic analysis of olaparib and durvalumab in patients with recurrent/refractory IDH-mutant gliomas Supervisor: Dr. Eric Chen Ronan McLaughlin, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Abstract: NeoPancONE: GATA6 Expression as a Predictor of benefit to Peri-Operative Modified FOLFIRINOX in Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (r-PDAC): A Multicentre Phase II study Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Knox Patient Experience and Decision-Making: Rena Seeger, University of Ottawa Abstract: Exploring decisional needs of patients considering first line treatment of Advanced EGFR+ lung cancer: An interpretive descriptive study Supervisor: Dr. Paul Wheatley-Price Novel Therapeutic Approaches: Asli Munzur, University of British Columbia Abstract: Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) in participants with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) receiving 177Lu-PSMA-617 or cabazitaxel: an exploratory post-hoc analysis of a randomized phase II trial (TheraP ANZUP 1603) Supervisor: Dr. Alex Wyatt Healthcare Systems and Workforce Planning: Philip Ding, University of Alberta Abstract: Rethinking future workforce planning by developing novel metrics of complexity in cancer care Supervisor: Dr. Winson Cheung "For over two decades, NOYCIA has been outstanding in encouraging and promoting Canadian-based cancer research, moving scientific knowledge and understanding in oncology forward through the endorsement of research," said Dr. Paul Wheatley-Price, NOYCIA Chair and medical oncologist, The Ottawa Hospital. "The calibre of research occurring in Canada is truly world-class, and the NOYCIA Awards provides the platform to recognize the tremendous contributions of our emerging leaders. It's incredibly rewarding to be part of this initiative and a privilege to continue to serve as the Chair of the Scientific Panel." In addition to recognizing the achievement and potential of scientific investigation, Dr. David Addiss, 2025 NOYCIA guest speaker and Director, Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics (FACE), Task Force for Global Health, encouraged the award recipients and other attendees to cultivate compassion, which is fundamental to the unique relationship between patients and their healthcare providers. "As clinicians and oncology researchers, you are motivated and sustained by compassion—the desire to alleviate and prevent suffering—which arises from a sense of shared humanity," said Dr. Addiss. "And although science shows that compassionate health care provides significant benefits for patients, providers and health systems, we face growing challenges of resource scarcity, time pressures, and other systemic constraints, which may limit our ability to fully realize this ideal in practice. Despite these challenges, connecting with and nurturing our compassionate impulse on a daily basis allows us to accompany and support our patients in a way that enhances both patient satisfaction and professional fulfillment." Mentorship Matters Program NOYCIA 2025 includes the Mentorship Matters Program which offers mentorship opportunities to trainees who attend the NOYCIA awards dinner. The program provides trainees with the opportunity to network with leaders in Canadian cancer centres. Canadian oncologists co-host a table during the NOYCIA awards allowing trainees from across Canada to have the opportunity to hear from mentors about career paths, programs and opportunities that their centres provide and to ask questions. About the Novartis Oncology Young Investigators Award (NOYCIA) With a mission to support Canadian oncology researchers, NOYCIA provides funding, support, and recognition to 10 researchers that demonstrate excellence in their specialist field of study. Eligible applicants include Post-Doctoral Students, Residents, Fellows, Graduate Students, Medical Students, PhD Candidates and Undergraduates who are affiliated with a Canadian institution and are the first author of an abstract accepted for the annual ASCO meeting. For more information about NOYCIA, go to: About Novartis Novartis is a focused innovative medicines company. Every day, we work to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives so that patients, healthcare professionals and societies are empowered in the face of serious disease. Our medicines reach more than 250 million people worldwide. In Canada, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. employs approximately 600 people to serve the evolving needs of patients and the healthcare system and invests over $30 million in R&D yearly in the country. For more information visit
Cision Canada
4 hours ago
- Cision Canada
New real-world study reveals oral corticosteroid overuse in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps Français
According to the ACTIONS study, 39% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) faced overexposure to oral corticosteroids (OCS) before beginning biologic therapy. ACTIONS was carried out by GSK in collaboration with Asthma Canada and leading Canadian Rhinologists. MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - A new Canadian real-world study, ACTIONS (chAracterizing oral Corticosteroid use in patients with chronic rhInOsinusitis with Nasal polypS in Canada), revealed patterns of oral corticosteroid (OCS) use among patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) prior to starting biologic treatments. The full findings were recently presented at the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting in Fredericton, New Brunswick. The study findings revealed that 81% of CRSwNP patients were prescribed OCS at least once in the 24 months prior to starting a biologic treatment with 39% of patients being overexposed to OCS by the time they started a biologic. These findings highlight the need for heightened awareness and education to prevent OCS overexposure and enhance patient care. CRSwNP is a chronic inflammatory disease of the paranasal sinuses and nasal mucosa leading to the growth of nasal polyps; 1 CRSwNP is associated with significant disease burden which negatively affects patients' quality of life. 2 Treatment for CRSwNP involves a combination of medical and surgical interventions. OCS are a common and effective medical treatment option for patients with CRSwNP, often used alongside nasal saline irrigation for short-term control of symptoms. 3 Despite their proven short-term efficacy, OCS are also associated with increased risk of short- and long-term adverse effects, with guidelines in respiratory disease recommending limiting use when possible. 4,5 Biologics have emerged as a newer treatment option with demonstrated effectiveness in managing CRSwNP, including decreasing the dependence on OCS. 6-8 The ACTIONS study revealed critical patterns of OCS use among CRSwNP patients, underscoring a significant unmet need that healthcare professionals should address. ACTIONS was conducted by GSK and Asthma Canada in collaboration with Dr. Yvonne Chan from the University of Toronto, Dr. Marie-Noëlle Corriveau from Université Laval, and Dr. Andrew Thamboo from the University of British Columbia, with research support, input, and analytics provided by IQVIA Solutions Canada Inc. "Our findings indicate that a significant proportion of severe CRSwNP patients are at risk of OCS overexposure. By considering earlier biologic initiation, when indicated, we can potentially reduce this risk and improve patient outcomes. Furthermore, collaboration among healthcare providers to promote awareness and adherence to these protocols will be vital in transforming patient care," said Dr. Marie-Noëlle Corriveau. "The data clearly indicate that a proactive strategy involving earlier biologic therapy can play a pivotal role in managing CRSwNP more efficiently. Embracing these new approaches is not just beneficial, but essential for improving the quality of life for our patients," said Dr. Yvonne Chan. "CRSwNP and asthma often coexist, share underlying mechanisms and influence each other's severity and management. This study is a critical step forward in understanding the treatment landscape for CRSwNP. It shows how vital it is to reduce our dependence on OCS and to find more sustainable and effective treatments. Ultimately, this could mean better health and quality of life for patients," said Jeffrey Beach, President & CEO, Asthma Canada. "As a leader in respiratory health, GSK remains committed to be at the forefront of the fight against respiratory disease. The ACTIONS study further underscores this dedication by providing valuable insights, fostering scientific and research excellence, and driving innovation," added Dr. Michelle Horn, Country Medical Director, GSK Canada. About CRSwNP CRSwNP is caused by inflammation of the nasal lining that can lead to soft tissue growths, known as nasal polyps. 3,6 People with CRSwNP experience symptoms such as nasal obstruction, loss of smell, facial pain, sleep disturbance, infections and nasal discharge that can significantly affect their emotional and physical well-being. 1,6,10-11 IL-5 is a key cytokine (protein) in type 2 inflammation characterized by eosinophils (a type of white blood cell), which is present in up to 85% of people with CRSwNP. 1,6,10,11 IL-5 and eosinophils are frequently found in high concentrations in sinus and nasal polyp tissue of patients with CRSwNP and are associated with more severe disease. 13-19 About OCS Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are systemic anti-inflammatory medications used to manage inflammatory conditions, including respiratory diseases, and allergic reactions. Unlike inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), which target the lungs directly, and intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) which target the nasal airways, OCS are ingested and distributed throughout the body. Common types include prednisone, methylprednisolone, and hydrocortisone. The use of OCS, including in repeated short bursts, can lead to significant health risks. The wide range of adverse effects associated with OCS include increased risk of infection and cardiovascular events, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, weight gain, and mood and behaviour disturbances. 20 In the ACTIONS study, overexposure to OCS is defined as total yearly dose of OCS ≥1,000 mg given that the risk of adverse effects significantly increases once a patient receives a cumulative lifetime exposure of 1000mg of OCS. 20 About GSK in respiratory GSK continues to build on decades of pioneering work to deliver more ambitious treatment goals, develop the next generation standard of care, and redefine the future of respiratory medicine for hundreds of millions of people with respiratory diseases. With an industry-leading respiratory portfolio and pipeline of vaccines, targeted biologics and inhaled medicines, we are focused on improving outcomes and the lives of people living with all types of asthma and COPD along with less understood refractory chronic cough or rarer conditions like systemic sclerosis with interstitial lung disease. GSK is harnessing the latest science and technology with the aim of modifying the underlying disease dysfunction and preventing progression. About GSK GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at References SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
National Observer
6 hours ago
- National Observer
BC's sunflower sea stars are now endangered, but rays of hope remain
Sunflower sea stars clinging to life in BC's cold-water fjords are officially on the edge of extinction, a scientific advisory panel is warning. A once-abundant predator of the sea floor along the Pacific coast, stretching from Alaska to Baja California, Pycnopodia helianthoides, has been assessed as endangered by the federal Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). While disheartening, the decision isn't unexpected and could offer a margin of hope for the survival of the massive, vibrant sea star, said Alyssa Gehman, marine ecologist with the Hakai Institute. The only type of its genus, an adult sunflower star Pycnopodia (which comes in a variety of purple, orange or pinks) is one of the largest, fastest sea stars in the ocean, often reaching a metre wide with 16 to 24 arms. It has 15,000 tube feet that suspend it off the seafloor and allow it to move more than a metre per minute when on the prowl for prey, Gehman said. 'They kind of look like a hovercraft moving towards their food.' The species has suffered catastrophic population declines of 80 to 90 per cent in the last decade due to a marine epidemic known as sea star wasting disease that causes white lesions on the many-armed creatures before rapidly reducing them to mush. Sunflower sea stars clinging to life in BC's cold-water fjords are officially on the edge of extinction, a Canadian scientific advisory panel warns. The wasting syndrome surfaced in 2013 along with spiking ocean temperatures caused by climate change, Gehman said. The disease attacks other types of sea stars as well, but it's decimated the sunflower variety, pushing them into virtual extinction in California and Mexican waters. Pockets of sunflower sea stars have found some refuge from the disease tucked away in the deep, cold inlets of the BC central coast, Gehman said. However, those remaining populations aren't immune to outbreaks and their chances of survival remain fragile. 'While [being endangered] is clearly bad news, the silver lining is that COSEWIC's acknowledgment might finally generate momentum to save Pycnopodia — whether that's in the form of funding, policy changes, or conservation programs,' Gehman said. The federal ministry of the environment and climate change will examine the committee's report in the fall to consider protecting the sunflower sea star under Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA). It's illegal to kill, harm or capture wildlife listed under the act. Identifying critical habitat and devising a recovery strategy, complete with timelines and outcomes, is also required for a protected species. 'I hope it's a speedy process because there's real urgency,' Gehman said. 'From a conservation perspective, even though we have these really amazing refuge populations that give us a lot of hope, they're not stable … So, the more we can learn about what is happening with them, the more that can help us to try and conserve the species.' The sunflower sea stars are carnivores that play an important role in ocean health, said Gehman. Their primary prey is sea urchins which, if left unchecked by predators, can mow down kelp forests that offer food and shelter for lots of different marine life. Gehman and other researchers are monitoring between six and 12 fjords to pinpoint the conditions that offer sunflower sea stars the most protection against the disease. Water chilled and churned up by Arctic winter winds channelled into the inlets seems to buffer the impacts, she said. In warmer weather, glacial melt creates a freshwater surface layer in the fjords. Since Pycnopodia don't like fresh water, the sea stars move deeper into saltier, colder water layers, which appears to slow but not completely prevent outbreaks, Gehman said. Typically, sunflower stars in other areas of the coast prefer water temperatures around 16 C. But now it appears that water temperatures must be less than 12 C to limit the spread of the pathogen. 'The disease is actually changing what temperature would be best for them,' Gehman said. The sea stars haven't adapted quickly enough to the disease to consistently avoid warmer waters, which makes understanding the factors at play in their cold-water hideouts critical for their survival, she said. Research is taking place south of the border to breed sunflower sea stars that are more resistant to the wasting disease, so they can potentially be released into the wild to repopulate marine areas. In future, Gehman wants to study other kinds of sea stars — like the purple or orange ochre sea stars on the West Coast— that have better withstood the withering disease in a bid for clues scientists could use to help out their much larger cousins. Identifying and protecting coastal fjords that offer the best conditions for sunflower sea stars is also an important step. Although the Pycnopodia situation is grave, Gehman says she recently experienced a rare and magical moment when the research team witnessed a massive spawning event involving 20 to 30 sea stars, while surveying one of the fjords. 'It's absolutely wild,' Gehman said, The sunflower sea stars have pores that circle the centre of their body. The marine creatures stretch upward on extended arms and arch their bodies, with females releasing masses of pinkish eggs while males emit white clouds of sperm. 'Only the tips of their arms are on the bottom with their middle body tented up into the water column,' she said. 'There were some absolutely giant animals. It kind of looks like there's a halo of pores on them, and everything is pouring out into the water — it's really surreal.' The spawning event is a hopeful sign these cold-water strongholds can offer the endangered species some measure of resiliency from climate change and disease, she said. But the situation remains tenuous and variable, said Gehman, noting on the same trip researchers found sunflower sea stars had been wiped out in one inlet but had bounced back in another. 'So, scientifically, we're learning a lot while also being sad,' she said.
