Genomic technology improves disease treatment in Calgary

Pierre Billon, assistant professor at the University of Calgary, is at the forefront of the genomics revolution in Canada. Its iSTOP and One-pot DECT innovations are transforming cancer treatments and medical diagnostics.

A native of Toulouse in France, Mr. Billon has been working since 2020 on this emerging technology which aims to modify the immune system by targeting the cancer cells et autoimmune disease cells.

Although the causes of genetic diseases are well known, Mr. Billon emphasizes that traditional medicine has only succeeded in treating symptoms.

On the other hand, the technology of genomic medicine, in particular that of CRISPRallows you to correct or modify the expression of genes responsible for hereditary diseases. Mr. Billon then invented the strategy iSTOP.

iSTOP is a strategy that uses the system CRISPR to create precise mutations in the genome. What we have demonstrated is that it is possible to use this base editing approach not only to create specific mutations, but also to inactivate them if we target specific parts of genes.he explains.

The researcher points out that in the case of immune systems, scientists have realized that if they can change the metabolism of immune system cells by removing barriers that prevent them from recognizing tumor cells.

It is therefore possible to increase their efficiency.

The strategy iSTOPwas used to improve the effectiveness of CAR-T cells from three patients who had relapsed leukemia. The results were fantastic as the patients were cured of this diseaseunderlines the researcher.

CAR-T cells are lymphocytes, taken from patients’ blood and genetically modified to recognize and kill cancer cells.

Susceptibility to disease

Mr. Billon recalls that the difference that each individual displays is linked to the natural variation in their DNA. These variations affect health as well as susceptibility to disease and how a person responds to treatment.

In the vast majority of cases, variations in our DNA do not cause a problem […]. But in certain cases, they will create genetic diseases or predispositions to cancer.he explains.

[La médecine génomique] can reprogram the immune system to target cancer cells.

For people with problematic DNA variations, Billon says genomic medicine might even be the solution.

Sickle cell disease has been known for 70 years. Recently, the first treatment approved using the technology of CRISPR had an effectiveness of more than 90% on patients. We’re really talking about healingexplains Mr. Billon.

An early diagnosis thanks to one-pot DTECT

Despite the incurable nature of some diseases, the researcher believes that early diagnosis is an important step in the search for a cure.

Son innovation one-pot DTECT allows hospitals to very quickly detect the presence of a mutation in a patient. This technology is capable of producing the results in less than a day, for less than a dollar per patient.

We have demonstrated that we are capable of determining whether an individual has the disease or not, or whether they are a carrier of the mutation.he explains. One-pot Dtect could therefore allow initiation of immediate treatment if it is necessary.

The next generation

Pierre Billon was attracted to science by listening to his high school teacher talk about the ability of antibodies to serve as tools. Now a mentor of the new generation, Mr. Billon says he does not want to miss the opportunity to invest in the next generation, because he believes that science is always done in a team.

I am now trying to convey to them [les connaissances] who themselves will then transfer them to the next generationshe concludes.