Vancouver Prostate Centre & the Centre for Urologic Oncology
The Vancouver Prostate Centre & the Centre for Urologic Oncology (VPC) is a leading research and treatment facility specializing in prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers. As Canada’s largest program of its kind, VPC combines scientific research, clinical care, and innovation to improve patient outcomes. Our multidisciplinary team works to understand cancer progression and treatment resistance, developing new therapies through translational research. Supported by Vancouver Coastal Health and the University of British Columbia, VPC conducts clinical trials and collaborates with industry and research networks to advance cancer treatment and improve the lives of patients in British Columbia and beyond.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Vision
The vision of the Vancouver Prostate Centre (VPC) is to be a global leader in the treatment and research of genitourinary malignancies, especially prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, providing state-of-the-art care and advancing scientific understanding. We aim to unify and elevate urologic oncology research and treatment in British Columbia, foster educational excellence, attract top talent, and facilitate the translational application of research. Through innovative diagnostic and treatment methods, education, and public outreach, we seek to improve patient outcomes and promote regional biotechnology growth.
Our Mission
The mission of the VPC is to foster the paradigm of team-driven translational health research to discover molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and therapeutic resistance, and to use this information to develop new services and products that reduce suffering, improve survival for patients with cancer and promote regional growth of biotechnology.
Overview
The VPC is the largest program of its kind in Canada and is recognized as one of the top-tier prostate cancer research programs in the world. Our strength comes from a combination of top research talent, cutting-edge facilities, and a proven discovery and translational research program that utilizes valuable resources such as in-demand technologies, human tissues, cancer models, and clinical expertise under one roof. Over our 26-year history, we have discovered and developed novel targeted therapies, many of which have led to the development of patented drug products and have contributed to creating, growing, and sustaining several biotech companies in B.C. and across Canada. As a National Centre of Excellence and a designated Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research, VPC focuses on enhancing longevity and quality of life for prostate cancer patients in BC and around the world by understanding treatment resistance in genitourinary cancers and translating these findings into new products and treatments. Prostate cancer is the leading cancer among BC men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Bladder and kidney cancers are also common in our province in both men and women. The VPC focuses not only on prostate cancer, but also has active research and clinical care programs in bladder and kidney cancer. Our large outpatient clinic serves thousands of BC patients annually, with our esteemed surgeons and clinicians setting best practices for care across the province and the country.
Our comprehensive, in-house research program encompasses molecular biology, functional genomics, active clinical trials and socio-behavioral studies. The combination of a large patient clinic, clinical trials facility, urologic cancer supportive care program and a world-class translational research program under one roof makes VPC the largest program of its kind in Canada. Hosted by the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, the Vancouver Prostate Centre receives substantial financial support from the VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation.
Research
As we and our patients demand faster bench-to-clinic timelines for new treatments, the VPC is rising to the challenge with its world-class team of researchers. VPC boasts a robust, multidisciplinary research program that spans basic, translational, clinical, and patient-focused research. This integrated approach aims to unravel the molecular underpinnings of cancer progression and therapy resistance, leveraging these insights to develop innovative services and products that improve patient outcomes.
Our current research priorities include advancing the understanding of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Specifically, we are investigating the mechanisms underlying resistance to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) plus AR pathway inhibitors. These efforts aim to guide the development and commercialization of novel drug classes to address the unmet clinical needs following therapy failure. Concurrently, we are identifying new genetic markers and therapeutic targets to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of advanced prostate cancer.
In parallel, our bladder and kidney cancer programs are focused on uncovering the mechanisms of resistance to both systemic therapies and localized treatments, such as intravesical therapies. By understanding these resistance pathways, we aim to develop novel therapeutic strategies and agents to overcome these barriers and improve outcomes for patients with these cancers.
VPC’s commitment to translating groundbreaking discoveries into actionable therapies underscores our mission to revolutionize cancer care and deliver life-changing treatments to patients worldwide. While much of our research focuses on prostate and urothelial cancers, its applicability extends to other cancers, including breast, lung, and colon. By leveraging strong partnerships with national clinical trial groups, research networks, and industry through our commercialization program, PC-TRiADD, we accelerate the development of new drug treatments into human trials. These efforts not only enhance health care outcomes for Canadians but also promote regional growth and investment in biotechnology.
Clinical
The VPC’s clinical trials are conducted in close partnership with BC Cancer, national and international clinical trials networks, and industry partners. These networks serve to enhance enrollment in our clinical trials, while the structure of the Canadian medical system and centralized treatment centres such as ours mean that patient follow-up information is closely tracked.
By combining the genitourinary research programs at the VPC and BC Cancer, clinical trial patients can participate in a full range of investigational studies.
Leadership
Dr. Peter Black
Director