A Canadian research team, including researchers in Halifax at the QEII Health Sciences Centre, was the first to use gene therapy in 2017 to treat patients with Fabry disease.

The five participating patients – located in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Alberta – began producing the corrected version of the enzyme to near normal levels within a week of receiving treatment.

“This really was a ground-breaking study, given current therapies are not cures,” says Dr. Michael West, a nephrologist at Nova Scotia Health and director of the Nova Scotia Fabry Disease Clinic. “This is the next step in moving toward a better therapy and hopefully a cure for this disease, which can really cause patients a lot of pain and suffering. It’s promising that the participating patients are still seeing benefit from the treatment several years after the procedure was completed.”

Researchers collected a quantity of each patient’s own blood stem cells, then used a specially engineered virus to inject those virus cells with copies of the fully functional gene that is responsible for the enzyme. The modified stem cells were then transplanted back into each patient.

The findings of this study were reported on February 25, 2021 in Nature Communications https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-21371-5.

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For many years Nova Scotia patients have travelled to New Brunswick, or other locations for Mohs, but support from the Department of Health and Wellness, and a partnership with Dr. Michael Stevens; Nova Scotia’s only dermatologist with micrographic surgery training, now allows patients to access the life-changing and potentially life-saving care, closer to home.

“This has become the standard of care for certain types of skin cancers and we have had a very positive response from our patients so far,” said Dr. Stevens.

Nova Scotia has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in Canada, including basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, which are most common in Caucasian populations.

Dr. David Anderson has been reappointed for a second five-year term as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

Dr. David Anderson’s first term as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine saw the development and implementation of the medical school’s strategic plan focused on the pillars of education, research, and serving and engaging society. Dr. Anderson has led the faculty through several successful accreditation processes, increased distributed educational opportunities, and worked concertedly to support wellness and engagement with undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. He has worked with the faculty to establish research priorities and supported the development of the medical school’s internationally leading research teams. He has collaborated with provincial governments and health authorities for increased education and research opportunities. Dr. Anderson has strengthened the faculty’s institutional priorities to enhance diversity and foster community outreach. Under his deanship, the role of an Assistant Dean for Serving and Engaging Society (Dr. Gaynor Watson Creed) was created. He also recruited Dr. OmiSoore Dryden as the James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies.

Going forward, Dr. Anderson will review and refresh the Faculty’s strategic plan and research priorities. He will continue to foster team research and support research excellence. He has highlighted plans for continuous improvement in the areas of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, graduate student engagement and support, and the provision of continuing professional development programs for physicians. As well, he will work to strengthen community engagement initiatives, paying specific attention to relationships with Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities. Second-term priorities also include continuing to identify and build successful collaborations and new avenues of partnership with provincial health authorities and supporting the continued growth and success of Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick.

From

Frank Harvey

Provost and Vice-President Academic (Acting)

February 18, 2021

QEII study looks at impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac health

Newly appointed QEII Foundation Endowed Chair in Transplantation Research aims to improve patient outcomes

QEII’s adult cystic fibrosis program uses multidisciplinary approach to ensure best possible care for patients

QEII geriatrician’s research examines how healthy lifestyle habits play a significant role

Published February 1, 2021

The redevelopment of the QEII Health Sciences Centre, is a once in a generation opportunity to rethink and rebuild the way we deliver health care. It is a massive, multi-year project that’s laying out how we’ll meet the health care needs of Nova Scotians for the next 50 years. It will also allow services to be moved out of the aging Centennial, Victoria and Dickson buildings on the Victoria General (VG) site of the QEII, to prepare for their eventual closure.

Seeking an innovative, energetic leader with exceptional communication and relationship skills.

Applications due: March 12, 2021

More information: https://healthredevelopment.novascotia.ca/qe2

Applications due: March 12, 2021

A recent publication found that magnets within Apple iPhone 12 Models and MagSafe accessories may cause interference in pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) when the phone is in close proximity to the device.

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847 4011 6228

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598437

Contact: laura.hamilton@nshealth.ca