Download Molecular Profiling To Improve Outcomes in Patients with Liver Cancer

Project Name: Molecular Profiling To Improve Outcomes in Patients
with Liver Cancer
Supervisor: Dr. Sulaiman Nanji
Department: Department of Surgery
I run a basic science laboratory where we study molecular changes associated with liver
cancer in order to help guide treatment strategies.
Description: The only curative treatment for liver cancer is surgical, either liver resection
or transplantation, but there are no means to reliably identify which patients may benefit
from surgery. As a result, some patients are undertaking high surgical risks with minimal
benefit and scarce donor liver organs are being inappropriately transplanted in this
patient population. The focus of this project is to identify molecular markers expressed
by the cancer cells to help guide treatment strategies. Liver cancer samples will be
analysed for genetic changes and correlated with patient outcomes. Based on these
molecular patterns, tumors can be risk stratified and patients that may benefit from
curative surgery can be identified and appropriately treated. This paradigm would
remove the “guess work” in determining which patients are suitable surgical candidates,
thereby eliminating inappropriate organ utilization and placing patients at risk of futile
surgery. The ultimate goal of this research is to improve the survival of patients with
liver cancer.
This project is suitable for either 1st or 2nd year students and there may be independent
funding available. I am the primary supervisor in the department of surgery.
Contact information:
Dr. Sulaiman Nanji
General Surgery
Kingston General Hospital
Department of Surgery
2.055 Burr 2
76 Stuart Street
Kingston ON K7L 2V6
Phone: (613) 549-6666 Fax: (613) 548-2456
[email protected]