Newsroom

Blasting blood clots to sic our natural killers on cancer


January 23, 2014

We all have natural killer cells and Drs. Marc Carrier and Rebecca Auer want to know whether a common anti-clotting drug enhances the ability of these cells to prevent the spread of cancer. Recently featured in the publication International Innovation, their clinical trial is examining whether low molecular weight heparin can be used around the time of cancer surgery to help prevent the spread of cancer after surgery. This approach attacks blood clots that develop around cancer cells and protect them from our immune system’s natural killer cells. The four-year trial recently started recruiting patients at The Ottawa Hospital and is looking to expand to sites across Canada and internationally by mid-2014.

International Innovation is the leading global dissemination resource for the wider scientific, technology and research communities, dedicated to disseminating the latest science, research and technological innovations on a global level. More information and a complimentary subscription offer to the publication can be found at: www.researchmedia.eu

About the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and is an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa, closely associated with the university’s Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. OHRI includes more than 1,700 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.

Media contact
Jennifer Ganton
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-798-5555 x 73325
613-614-5253 (cell)
jganton@ohri.ca