Investigator: Norma Ybarra, PhD
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The main research interest of the Ybarra Lab at the RI-MUHC is to reduce the side effects of radiotherapy in normal tissues, without compromising the efficacy of radiotherapy to eliminate cancer.
Some of the strategies currently investigated include:
1. The use of radioselective compounds, meaning that these compounds enhance radiosensitivity of cancer, but that do not enhance normal tissue damage. These compounds are tested in animal models.
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2. Investigate the effects of radiotherapy on normal and cancer cell metabolism to identify potential therapeutic targets to efficiently eliminate cancer without damaging normal cells.
Metabolic pathways upregulated by radiotherapy in lung cancer cells compared to cancel cells not treated with radiotherapy.
3. The role of cancer stem cells in radio-resistance and ways to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy to eliminate cancer stem cells, which are responsible for tumor initiation, recurrence after treatment and metastasis.
