Three UHN research teams have received a total of $1.2 million through the 2025 Canadian Cancer Society-UHN Research Grants on Neurofibromatosis and Cancer: Probing the Links. This grant was enabled through the generosity of the Elisabeth Raab Foundation.
This joint funding initiative—supported by the Canadian Cancer Society, UHN, and the Toronto Elisabeth Raab Accelerator of Science to End Neurofibromatosis (To-ERASEnf)—aims to advance the understanding and treatment of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disorder associated with an increased risk of cancer. The program fosters collaboration between cancer researchers and experts in NF1 and related fields to uncover the genomic and molecular drivers of cancer in NF1. This research is part of a growing field of investigation into the relationship between cancer and the nervous system.
The following three projects received funding:
Project Title: Understanding and improving health care for people with NF1
Lead Investigator: Dr. Carolina Barnett-Tapia, Clinician Scientist at UHN
Dr. Barnett-Tapia and her research team are examining cancer development patterns in individuals with NF1. Using data from a registry of over 2,000 patients with NF1, the research team will assess screening practices, cancer types, and patient outcomes. The findings will help inform testing guidelines to support early detection and improve care delivery.
Project Title: Finding new ways to treat nerve tumours
Lead Investigators: Dr. Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy, Affiliate Scientist at UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), and Dr. Suganth Suppiah, Clinician Scientist at PM.
This project investigates why some nerve tumours in people with NF1 become cancerous. By studying and altering tumour cell pathways in the lab, the team will shed light on how these cancers develop and test new treatments that could prevent or stop tumour progression.
Project Title: Testing tumour immunotherapy in models of neurofibromatosis type 1
Lead Investigator: Dr. David Kirsch, Senior Scientist at PM.
Dr. Kirsch is exploring whether immunotherapy—a type of treatment that helps the immune system fight cancer—can be effective for people with NF1 who develop aggressive soft tissue tumours. Using experimental models, the research team will test immunotherapy alone and in combination with radiation to identify safer and more effective treatment options.
Congratulations to the awardees. Read more on the grants here.