Kingston - Three Queen’s researchers will receive more than $1.2 million in cancer research funding from the Canadian Cancer Society.

Jeremy Squire (Pathology and Molecular Medicine) will receive $668,680 over five years to advance his research in osteosarcoma, a bone cancer that killed Terry Fox. The DNA in this type of cancer frequently changes, outwitting the attempts of chemotherapy to target its structure and behaviour. Dr. Squire will use innovative genetic techniques to investigate distinct groups of osteosarcoma genes he believes allow the cancer to adapt and resist the impact of chemotherapy.

Andrew Craig (Biochemistry) will receive $382,500 over three years to contribute to knowledge that could lead to new and more effective ways of treating lung cancer. Dr. Craig will look at the molecular and cellular processes involved in destroying epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein often implicated in lung cancer development.

Patti Groome (Community Health and Epidemiology) will receive $158,600 over two years to study the frequency and type of doctor visits for oral cancer patients. About 40 per cent of oral cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced disease because they had not had a previous oral examination or put off seeing a doctor. The study will investigate why some patients experience a delay in diagnosis for their cancer and will help identify which patients are at risk for poor post-treatment follow-up care.

The Queen’s research projects are among 71 new grants recently announced by the Canadian Cancer Society.