Donald Yapp


About the Principal Investigator

E-mail: dyapp@bccrc.ca
Phone: 604-675-8023

Training

Degree: BSc Chemistry
Institution: University of Victoria
Period: 1987
Degree: PhD
Institution: University of British Columbia
Period: 1993

Previous Positions

Position: Associate Professor
Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
Period: 1998 - 2002

Current Position

Position: Senior Scientist
Institution: Advanced Therapeutics, BC Cancer Agency
Position: Adjunct Professor
Institution: Division of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of British Columbia

Major Awards

Name: Chevening Scholar
Period: 2001
Name: Rethink Breast Cancer Scientist
Period: 2005-2010

 

About the Lab

Our group uses non-invasive imaging techniques to examine changes in tumour physiology following treatment response or disease progression in preclinical models for various solid cancers. The focus of our research is to understand what happens to tumour parameters such as metabolism, blood flow and oxygen levels during treatments, and potentially use these as markers to predict or monitor how a patient responds to a particular treatment. Our research collaborations with basic scientists and clinicians are translational in nature and the ultimate goal is to have an impact on patient care.

Training Environment

We operate in a multi-disciplinary setting and use in vitro and in vivo methods in conjunction with imaging and classical molecular techniques to study tumours at all levels – genetic, cellular and also in situ, tissue level. Trainees are encouraged to explore all sides of a research problem and to respond with solutions that are clinically relevant.

Projects

Colorectal Cancer and Pancreatic Cancer

Primary human tumours are used to examine the effects of experimental therapeutics that target the vasculature and/or change vascular function. Changes in tumour physiology secondary to modified vascular function are then used as markers or to plan a sequential series of treatments that take advantage of the attenuated tumour microenvironment.

Breast Cancer

The effects of overexpressing HER-2/neu on tumour metabolism are being examined to identify novel therapeutic targets in HER-2 positive breast cancer.

Novel Imaging Agents

Our group is working closely with MDS-Nordion to develop biological targeting agents for Positron Emission Tomography using Cu-64 or Ga-68.

Selected Publications

  • Ho, EA, Ramsay, E, Ginj, Ma, Anantha, M,Bregman, Sy, J. Woo, J, Osooly-Talesh, Yapp, DT, Bally, M. Characterization of cationic liposome formulations designed to exhibit extended plasma residence times and tumor vasculature targeting properties. J. of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In press, 2009
  • Ferreira, C. L., Yapp, D. T., Lamsa, E., Gleave, M., Bensimon, C., Jurek, P., and Kiefer, G. E. (2008). Evaluation of novel bifunctional chelates for the development of Cu-64-based radiopharmaceuticals. Nucl Med Biol 35, 875-882.
  • Baker, J. H., Lam, J., Kyle, A. H., Sy, J., Oliver, T., Co, S. J., Dragowska, W. H., Ramsay, E., Anantha, M., Ruth, T. J. Adam, M, Yung, A, Kozlowski, P, Minchinton, A, Ng, S, Bally, M., Yapp, D. (2008). Irinophore C, a novel nanoformulation of irinotecan, alters tumor vascular function and enhances the distribution of 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin. Clin Cancer Res 14, 7260-7271.
  • Hoff, M.N., Yapp, D.T.T., Yung, A.C., Oliver, T.S. & Kozlowski, P. In vivo measurement of the hypoxia marker EF5 in Shionogi tumours using (19)F magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Int J Radiat Biol 84, 237-242 (2008).
  • Edwards, L.A., Woo, J., Huxham, L.A., Verreault, M., Dragowska, W.H., Chiu, G., Rajput, A., Kyle, A.H., Kalra, J., Yapp, D.T.T., Yan, H., Minchinton, A.I., Huntsman, D., Daynard, T., Waterhouse, D.N., Thiessen, B., Dedhar, S. & Bally, M.B. Suppression of VEGF secretion and changes in glioblastoma multiforme microenvironment by inhibition of Integrin-linked kinase (ILK). Mol Cancer Ther 7, 59-70 (2008).
  • Yapp, D.T.T., Woo, J., Kartono, A., Sy, J., Oliver, T., Skov, K.A., Koch, C.J., Adomat, H., Dragowska, W.H., Fazli, L., Ruth, T., Adam, M.J., Green, D. & Gleave, M. Non-invasive evaluation of tumour hypoxia in the Shionogi tumour model for prostate cancer with 18F-EF5 and positron emission tomography. British Journal of Urology International 99, 1154-1160 (2007).

 

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