A Dalhousie professor who has been researching cancer-fighting agents from natural sources has been named to the Atlantic Region’s first endowed chair for breast cancer research.

David Hoskin, professor in the Departments of Pathology and Microbiology and Immunology at Dalhousie University, says new preventative and treatment strategies for breast cancer provide reasons for hope.

“There is a future in which breast cancer and other cancers will be cured or controlled,” said Dr. Hoskin, at a news conference held last week.

The Atlantic Regional Endowed Chair in Breast Cancer Research is a $2.5 million program, funded by a $1.65 million from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Atlantic Region, $500,000 from the QE II Foundation and $350,000 from CIBC. The money will be invested to provide the chairholder with a stable source of funding and “reaffirms the 150-year-old partnership” between Dalhousie’s Faculty of Medicine and Halifax’s hospitals, said Constance Glube, chair of the QEII Foundation’s board of trustees.

Carl Breckenridge, vice-president (research) at Dalhousie, says the creation of research chairs is important for the advancement of research in a university setting. The chair frees up the professor to devote him or herself to research and mentor students within their laboratory. At the same time, the chair serves as a magnet to attract other top talent to the university.

“It really has a huge impact on students in health-related faculties,” said Dr. Breckenridge.

Dr. Hoskin, at Dalhousie for almost 20 years, researches cancer-killing agents from natural sources, including “cationic antimicrobial peptides” found in cow’s milk and the skin secretions of a fish, the Atlantic Winter Flounder. He has also discovered that phytochemicals from curcumin, derived from the turmeric plant, and piperine, from the fruit of the black pepper plant, have a role to play in preventing and inhibiting cancer cell growth.

What makes cancer fighters from natural sources so exciting is that they selectively target and kill cancer cells. Traditional cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy, harm healthy cells as well as cancer cells, and that’s what makes women so sick.

It’s a matter of chemistry. Molecules of cationic antimicrobial peptides carry a positive charge and seek out the negative charge of the breast-cancer cell. “It’s almost all about charge,” explained Dr. Hoskin. “These molecules kill cancer cells selectively—effectively destroying the cancer cell’s membrane and resulting in cell death.”

The researchers have seen the carnage in the Petri-dish: “Now we’re working on devising ways to deliver these molecules to cancer cells in individuals.”

Students in the Hoskin lab were thrilled for their boss, describing him as helpful, encouraging and motivating. On their recommendations, Dr. Hoskin just picked up the Distinguished Service Award offered through the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

“He has an enormous amount on his plate—he teaches, he mentors, he goes to every seminar, every thesis defense,” said Ashley Hilchie, PhD student from Lake Charlotte, N.S. and one of 11 researchers in the Hoskin lab. “And yet, he always finds time for you. You never feel that you’re imposing.”

Interacting with students is one of the best parts of his job, says Dr. Hoskin.

“The students are the ones who do the work at the bench and conduct the experiments. When you get to a certain level, you’re almost like a manager. So, I’m always pestering the students and asking ‘What’s up that’s so fun?’”