RESEARCH SUMMARY

"My research focuses on understanding the dynamic molecular changes that occur during tumour progression and metastasis through liquid biopsy. Our ability to study tumour biology and uncover new approaches to prevent and treat cancer is limited because it relies on tissue from a biopsy, which carries several issues: inadequate sampling, rare but serious complications, and, importantly, the limitation of having one static picture of the tumour – thereby neglecting the dynamics of tumour evolution. To overcome these issues, my lab tracks tumour evolution through a liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive approach to monitor disease progression, recurrence and treatment response using a blood sample. Detection of circulating tumour cells, DNA and extracellular vesicles can contribute to early diagnosis and personalized management. Liquid biopsy can inform on the changing mutational status of the disease and help to guide therapy. My lab works towards identifying specific initiating and metastasis-promoting mutations that can track disease through ctDNA as a biomarker. We also study the contribution of EVs to cancer progression, and synthesize lipid nanoparticles to study EV behaviour and as a drug delivery system for anti-cancer therapy. "  (Summary taken from https://rimuhc.ca/-/julia-burnier)