About the Lebrun Lab
Based in Montréal, Canada, the Lebrun Lab is part of the Cancer Research Program at the McGill University Health center.
The vision/direction of our research program aims at understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor initiation, progression, stemness and drug resistance in metastatic cancer, all of which considered as major challenges in the management of cancer patients. Metastatic cancer is by large an incurable disease, responsible for most of cancer deaths and lacks effective targeted therapies. Our mission and long-term goal are to advance and accelerate the translation of basic laboratory discoveries into new cancer therapeutics against this deadly disease. To achieve these objectives, our lab has developed central lines of research using cellular systems (in vitro), patient-derived organoids (ex-vivo), patient-derived preclinical xenografts (in vivo), bioinformatics and data mining analysis for large cohorts of human patient datasets (in silico). Using state of the art technologies, gene editing (CRISPR) and genome-wide molecular approaches, our lab has also developed a cutting edge “Crisperized Medicine” research program. In time, our research will help develop diagnostic/biomarkers and therapeutic tools to improve metastatic cancer patients’ stratification and treatment and improve cancer patients’ survival.
About the Research Institute of McGill University Health center
The RI-MUHC Hospital offers a state of the art research institute equipped with powerful biomedical instruments. The MUHC is an internationally recognized biomedical and healthcare hospital research center, with over 500 researchers, 1,000 graduate and postdoctoral students. This is a unique medical and life sciences research facility in Canada, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting-edge core facilities (imaging, flow cytometry) and proteomic core unit for MS. The ultra-modern vivarium and associated staff is fully-ready for all surgical procedures and bio-imaging analysis.
Latest News
● March 25th, 2022 – Global News Morning, Anchor: Laura Casella
https://globalnews.ca/video/8709226/montreal-researchers-receive-prestigious-award/
● March 22nd, 2022 – Discovery of the year Award from Quebec Science magazine
● RI-MUHC researchers led one of Québec Science magazine’s top 10 discoveries of the year - January 5th, 2022.
● New study paves the way to novel treatment for Triple Negative Breast Cancer
A team of researchers at the RI-MUHC found two cellular pathways involved in TNBC tumor development and a promising targeted combination therapy
Montreal, June 2, 2021 –Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women around the world, responsible for 1,700 deaths every day. Although the vast majority of breast cancers are treatable, the most aggressive subtype – triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) – has a high recurrence rate, a high potential for metastasis and shows resistance to conventional treatments, leading to very poor prognosis and survival outcomes. A team of researchers at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) conducted a preclinical study and discovered a novel targeted combination therapy that efficiently reduced tumor growth in metastatic breast cancer. Published in Nature Communications, their findings could lead to the development of a novel first line targeted therapy for the treatment of TNBC, with the prospect of rapidly transitioning to clinical trials in humans.
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