The primary objective of PROFYLE is to conduct molecular profiling (using next generation sequencing technologies) on tumours from children, adolescents and young adults (0-29 years old) to learn more about their cancers and find treatment options for each individual patient. A central goal of PROFYLE is to use precision medicine tools to offer hope to the patients that need it the most. The results and recommendations from PROFYLE have directly impacted patient management decisions for almost 1 in 4 patients.

PROFYLE has brought together leaders in childhood, adolescent and young adult cancer research, clinical oncology, genomics/genetics, bioinformaticians, traditional and novel preclinical cancer modeling platforms, proteomics, health economics, health policy and biomedical ethics, and integrates end-users and patient advocates in every province, to complete the translational research objectives, implement novel treatment strategies, and translate them into durable societal benefits to Canada.

PROFYLE includes all 16 pediatric centres and several adult cancer centres across Canada. Stakeholders at all these institutions and patients, parents and family partners have worked together to drive PROFYLE forward. In addition to these team members, the success of PROFYLE is due to the support and dedication of many funding partners from across the country and national and international collaborators.

The PROFYLE Driver Project will ensure that activities related to genomic medicine and molecular profiling are included within ACCESS. In addition, it will encourage the use of data, infrastructure, platforms, and processes generated from PROFYLE work. Ultimately, the precision medicine platform will facilitate the achievement of ACCESS’ mission and expand opportunities for collaborations and partnerships to include those with a unique interest in this area of pediatric cancer research and care.

The PROFYLE Program was launched in 2017 with catalytic funding from the Terry Fox Research Institute, and support from numerous other partners. PROFYLE is now part of ACCESS as a signature Driver Project.