Mirna Farhat Shares her Research for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month at the GCI

During Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, scientists at the Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Institute (GCI) are sharing the crucial role that their research plays in improving prostate cancer patient outcomes. Prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers in Canadian men, and continues to be among the leading causes of cancer mortality. While current hormone-directed therapies have improved patient outcomes, many people eventually face aggressive, therapy-resistant disease.

Mirna Farhat is a PhD student in the Giguère lab, who is conducting research on gene regulation in prostate cancer. Her work focuses on HOXB13, a protein that plays a key role in prostate cancer progression by recruiting other proteins to DNA to regulate gene activity. Using advanced techniques, she aims to map the HOX13B protein network in both hormone-sensitive and therapy resistant cells. By uncovering the key partners that enable cancer survival and adaptation, this work could reveal new drug targets and guide the development of safer, more durable treatments that delay or prevent resistance—ultimately improving outcomes for men with advanced prostate cancer.

The promise of this research to uncover new therapeutic avenues has earned competitive funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Terry Fox Foundation, and Mirna has been directly awarded the Charlotte and Leo Karassik Foundation Oncology studentship to support her role in advancing this project. This support is crucial to advancing innovative projects and driving scientists to rise to the challenges posed by this disease. Beyond this recognition, Mirna is motivated in her research by a desire to serve her community and support those facing difficult health challenges. “Through my research, I feel I can contribute in a meaningful way. Each day, I remind myself that the work I am doing could one day help ease the burden of this disease,” she shares.

Having lost two close family members to cancer, and with two others in her life currently undergoing treatment, her drive also comes from a close personal connection. “This connection has been a major catalyst for my commitment to the research I am doing, and I feel that I am using my knowledge and passion to fight back against this disease,” she shares. This deep understanding of how devastating a cancer diagnosis can be to both patients and their families reminds her of the human impact behind each experiment she conducts.

As we mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Mirna’s story highlights the importance of investing in the next generation of cancer research leaders. Through curiosity, compassion, and determination these scientists are bringing us closer to the future breakthroughs and innovative new therapies that will overcome the challenges posed by this disease.