Vancouver Prostate Centre

01/22/2026

New Prostate Cancer Research Highlight

A new Journal of Clinical Investigation study led by Dr. Xuesen D**g reveals how prostate cancer cells adapt to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The research shows that UGT2B17 supports tumor survival through previously unrecognized, non-enzymatic mechanisms—opening the door to new treatment strategies for advanced, treatment-resistant disease.
A related European Urology Oncology study further demonstrates the prognostic relevance of UGT2B17 using large Canadian cohorts.

Primary publication:
Feng T, Xie N, Gao L, et al.
Non-canonical functions of UGT2B17 promote castrate-resistant prostate cancer progression.
Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2025.
PMID: 41343245
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41343245/

Related publication:
Uchil A, Lacombe L, Hovington H, et al.
European Urology Oncology, 2025.
PMID: 40998686
Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40998686/

UGT2B17 expression influences hormone levels and identifies a subset of patients at an increased risk of progression to an incurable disease stage. Findings support the notion that enhanced UGT2B17, through increased androgen inactivation, creates a low-androgen tumor environment that drives tumor p...

01/16/2026

Researchers at the Vancouver Prostate Centre have developed Gemini, a new self-amplifying vaccine and nanomedicine platform led by Prof. Wilfred A. Jefferies.

Published in Nature Communications, the Gemini platform demonstrates improved stability, longer-lasting immune responses, and the ability to support larger genetic payloads. These advances may help expand global access to vaccines and support future applications in cancer immunotherapy and infectious disease.

🔗: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-66252-3


Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia GenomeBC GovCan - North

The authors present Gemini, their bifunctional replicon platform capable of functioning as either self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) or self-amplifying DNA (saDNA).

01/15/2026

We’re proud to see strong representation from the Vancouver Prostate Centre among the 2026 PCFC Grant-in-Aid Award recipients, announced by Prostate Cancer Foundation Canada.

These awards support initiatives that improve prostate cancer research, education, and community care across Canada.

🔗 Read the full announcement:

Providing leadership & resources in prostate cancer support, awareness, & research since 1997. Now proudly supporting patients and loved ones across Canada.

01/15/2026

Advancing Research in Severe Bladder Cancer

Dr. Peter Black, Director of the Vancouver Prostate Centre, is using cutting-edge proteomic profiling to uncover new insights into aggressive bladder cancers. This research helps guide more precise, targeted approaches to patient care, reflecting VPC’s commitment to advancing cancer research and improving outcomes.
Learn more about the work being done at VPC: https://www.prostatecentre.com/news/advancing-precision-approaches-severe-bladder-cancer

Peter Black, Director of the Vancouver Prostate Centre, is leading research that applies advanced proteomic profiling to improve understanding of severe bladder cancers; an area of significant unmet clinical need.

12/17/2025

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robert Hung-Ngai Ho, C.M., O.B.C.

In 2011, the Vancouver Prostate Centre expanded from the Jack Bell Research Centre into the Robert H.N. Ho Research Centre at Vancouver General Hospital. Inspired by the vision of Dr. Martin Gleave and his team, supported by funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and Mr. Robert Ho’s philanthropic generosity, which capped off the required match for the PC TRIADD initiative, a UBC and CFI funded project of over $40M, this expansion helped advance prostate cancer research and patient care across British Columbia.
Mr. Ho’s generosity played an important role in enabling discovery and innovation that continues to benefit patients today. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and all who were touched by his life.

Learn more about Robert’s legacy of giving: https://vghfoundation.ca/news/a-legacy-of-giving-remembering-robert-hung-ngai-ho-c-m-o-b-c/?utm_campaign=&utm_content=it_is_with_great_sadness_&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

12/12/2025

We are pleased to congratulate Dr. Artem Cherkasov on receiving the 2025 Highly Cited Scientist Award from Clarivate. This prestigious recognition is awarded to only 24 researchers at UBC and reflects the global influence and impact of his work.

A fantastic way to kick off the holiday season. Congratulations.

Learn more: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/A-2134-2012

12/03/2025

Big congratulations to Dr. Peter Black!

We are excited to share that Dr. Peter Black has been named one of UBC’s 2025 Distinguished University Scholars — an honour recognizing outstanding research excellence and leadership.
Dr. Black is internationally known for his work in bladder and prostate cancer, and this award reflects the impact he continues to make in improving cancer care and advancing scientific discovery.
We’re incredibly proud to celebrate this achievement!

🔗 Read the full announcement from UBC:

The Distinguished University Scholar awards recognize exceptional members of faculty who have distinguished themselves as scholars in research and/or teaching and learning. The award is conferred by the President on the recommendation of an Adjudication Panel.This year’s recipients are:

11/19/2025

Dr. Lucia Nappi Receives Prestigious PCF Challenge Award

We are proud to announce that Dr. Lucia Nappi has been awarded a prestigious 2024 Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Challenge Award, one of PCF’s highest and most competitive research honours.
This PCF-funded project, led through UBC, VPC, and the Institute, investigates the crucial role of B-cells in determining how patients respond to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). By studying the B-cell receptor (BCR) repertoire and using advanced spatial profiling of tumor samples, the team aims to uncover new biomarkers that can better predict which prostate cancer patients may benefit from immunotherapy.
Their findings could pave the way for more precise, effective treatment strategies, including future B-cell–focused immunotherapies.

🔗 Learn more about the project on the official PCF website:
https://www.pcf.org/our-work/the-work-we-fund/challenge-awards/class-of-2024/characterizing-b-cell-receptor-repertoire-to-understand-immunotherapy-in-prostate-cancer/

11/06/2025

Dr. Alexander Wyatt appointed UBC President’s Excellence Chair in Precision Oncology

Please visit: https://www.med.ubc.ca/news/alexander-wyatt-appointed-ubc-presidents-excellence-chair-in-precision-oncology/
for the full post!

07/09/2025

Congratulations to Kerim Yavuz on receiving the 2025 Rising Star Award! His research on treatment resistance in prostate cancer and dedication to community engagement make him a true leader in the VCHRI and UBC research community.

Congratulations to Kerim Yavuz from Dr. Nathan Lack's laboratory in VPC on receiving the 2025 Rising Star Award.

06/30/2025

We are hiring for the following positions: Clinical Trials Coordinator, Regulatory Assistant (Clinical Trials), Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist (PCSC), Clinical Dietitian (PCSC), and Program Coordinator (PCSC). Click to read more.

Critical funding from our research partners and donors has helped us to attract and retain the very best research talent from around the world, which in turn, increases our ability to move discoveries further along into clinical research and eventually treatments.

06/30/2025

Dr. Ryan Flannigan, Director of the Reproductive & Sexual Medicine Centre (MIUS), has developed a lab-grown 3D model of human te**es to study unexplained male infertility. Click here to read more.

A new study led by Dr. Ryan Flannigan, Director and urologist at the Reproductive & Sexual Medicine Centre (MIUS), is drawing national attention for its focus on unexplained male infertility. Highlighted by CBC News, Dr. Flannigan and his team have developed a lab-grown 3D model of human te**es usin...