Biomarkers for translational oncology - Peggy Olive's contribution

Peggy Olive of the BC cancer research center (BCCRC), Vancouver, Canada, dedicated her career to improving the efficiency of radiation in the treatment of cancer. Keenly interested in the study of hypoxic cell radiosensitizers, she recognized the importance of DNA repair in improving the efficacy of radiotherapy. At the BCCRC she developed two methods for clinical practice that detect and quantitate DNA damage in mammalian cells. The alkaline comet assay and phosphorylated gamma histone H2AX (γH2AX) protein foci staining were two sensitive and attractive techniques that she attempted to apply in clinical practice.

Peggy Olive was able to establish the comet and the γH2AX assays as prospective predictive biomarkers in the application of personalized radiation treatment and improved cancer treatment outcomes. Nevertheless, several studies with a large number of samples are required before application of these biomarkers in routine radiotherapy could become a reality. The advent of 'omis' and microchip technologies envisage successful outcomes of future research in this direction.