The principal mission of this axis is to allow for an organized infrastructure and encourage scientific relationships that stimulate the development of multidisciplinary teams in cancer research, which utilizes specific resources such as databases and tissue banking. The main focus of this axis is breast and ovarian cancer.  However, the development of this infrastructure could serve as a springboard for a much larger spectrum of research initiatives.

By focusing on the development of a provincial ovarian and breast tissue bank and their related databases, researchers within this axis have been able to come together to develop collaborative research projects based on this valuable resource. Genomics, proteomics and mutation analysis platforms have been set up and this expertise is a benefit to all researchers. Several projects involving new collaborators in this area have been developed and now receive competitive grants, some of which are based on large-scale projects. Over the next few years, four main research themes will be at the heart of this axis, including:

• Study of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer diseases;
• The development of xenograft models derived from patients, and aimed at identifying new therapeutic approaches with a view to personalized medicine;
• Identification of biomarkers leading to optimized management for cancer patients;
• The consolidation of immuno-oncology efforts for solid cancers.