Dr. Kim Chi (1999 Research Grant)

Cancer cells are extremely adaptable and can mutate to resist treatments. For example, cancer cells make a protein called clusterin which resists hormone therapy, radiation and other treatments. Mutations like clusterin make cancer difficult to treat.

In 1999 we awarded Dr. Kim Chi a grant to study a new clusterin-fighting drug. Called OGX-011, the drug his team developed contains genetically engineered material that inhibits the production of clusterin and leaves cancer cells vulnerable to radiation therapy.

Dr. Chi is now overseeing the clinical development of OGX-011. Early results from 72 patients were positive; the drug inhibited clustern in prostate cancer cells by more than 90 per cent. Phase II testing is now ongoing.