Dr. Fernand Labrie was a pioneering molecular endocrinologist whose groundbreaking work fundamentally transformed the treatment of hormone-dependent cancers. Born in 1937, he earned his B.A. from Séminaire de Québec in 1957, followed by his M.D. and PhD in Endocrinology from Laval University in 1962 and 1966 respectively. After completing postdoctoral studies at Sussex and Cambridge in Britain, he joined Laval University's Faculty of Medicine in 1966, rising to full Professor by 1974 and establishing himself as a leader in endocrinological research. His visionary leadership led to the creation of the world's first Molecular Endocrinology Research Laboratory at Laval University in 1969, setting the stage for decades of innovative discoveries. Following his academic retirement at age 69, Dr. Labrie founded Endoceutics, a pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel hormone therapies.
Dr. Labrie's most transformative contribution was the discovery and development of medical castration using GnRH agonists, which revolutionized prostate cancer treatment by eliminating the need for surgical orchiectomy. His innovative combined androgen blockade therapy provided a complete cure for localized prostate cancer and extended survival in metastatic cases, replacing earlier methods that caused significant psychological distress and cardiovascular complications. This paradigm-shifting approach improved patient quality of life while maintaining therapeutic efficacy, establishing a new standard of care that has benefited hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. His research also pioneered screening and early detection methods for prostate cancer, significantly advancing preventive care in urological oncology. The clinical implementation of his hormone therapies demonstrated remarkable success in managing not only prostate cancer but also other hormone-dependent conditions.
Beyond his prostate cancer research, Dr. Labrie made significant contributions to women's health through the development of intravaginal DHEA prasterone for post-menopausal women, addressing critical quality-of-life issues associated with hormonal changes. Under his leadership at the CHUL Research Center, approximately 150 senior investigators, 450 graduate students and 600 research personnel advanced the frontiers of endocrinology and cancer research. His recognition with the prestigious King Faisal Prize underscored the global impact of his scientific contributions to medicine. Dr. Labrie's legacy continues through Endoceutics, which remains dedicated to developing innovative hormone therapies based on his pioneering research. His death on January 16 2019 marked the end of an extraordinary career that fundamentally reshaped endocrinological research and clinical practice in cancer treatment.
