International event brings world's top cancer doctors ...(for both breast and ovarian cancer suffe...)

She has investigated the effects of the drugs on patients with and without the BRCA1 gene, which controls cell growth in normal breast and ovarian cells, preventing tumours forming.

Ovarian cancer patients are generally treated with both platinum and taxane based chemotherapy. However Dr Quinn has found that patients without BRCA1 benefited significantly from platinum only chemotherapy while those with normal BRCA1 levels gained an almost two year improvement in survival if they also received taxane chemotherapy.

Dr Quinn said: "We are now planning further studies that may ultimately lead to the development of a test involving BRCA1 for determining the best chemotherapy treatments for patients with ovarian cancer. Such a test may also prove useful in breast, lung and prostate cancer."

The symposium has been organised by Professor Dennis McCance, Director of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's University, who leads a team of around 250 staff.

He said: "This event reflects CCRCB's achievements in cancer research and highlights our aspirations to see our knowledge about basic research translated into better and more effective treatments for patients.

"Through clinical trials we are working to offer patients new treatment options which will have the best outcomes for them.

"We are using novel ways to select treatments and personalise or tailor them to the patient's particular mutations.

"The calibre of speakers coming to our conference and the international links that we have formed demonstrate that our work is considered of a world-class standard."

Professor Peter Gregson, Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University, said: Cancer is a disease feared around the world. Its impact is global. It therefore demands a global response, a response where leading researchers work together across academic disciplines and geographical fr
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