Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Research News

	Ontario’s biomanufacturing sector gets $45M boost from province April 25, 2025 - Ontario’s life sciences sector is getting a boost from the Government of Ontario’s $45 million investment in biomanufacturing infrastructure through the Canadian Biomanufacturing Cooperative, which forms part of the Canadian Pandemic Preparedness Hub
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded $3.9M from BioCanRx to develop new cancer immunotherapies April 9, 2025 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded $3.9 million from BioCanRx to develop cutting-edge biotherapeutics that harness the immune system to fight cancer.
	The Ottawa Hospital pioneers innovative approach for treating lung blood clots in people with cancer March 26, 2025 - Two new research studies show how The Ottawa Hospital continues to lead the way in determining which cancer patients with a blood clot in their lung can safely recover at home and avoid hospitalization.
Show more news stories
	Synthetic biology startup raises US$ 2M March 14, 2025 - Esphera SynBio, a startup company founded by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital/University of Ottawa and McMaster University, has secured US$ 2 million in seed funding to support the development of personalized cancer vaccines.
	Blood thinners can prevent vein blood clots in those with cancer, but results for artery clots are mixed March 13, 2025 - “Blood thinners are an effective tool for preventing vein blood clots in people with cancer. The fact they may also prevent artery clots in eligible patients with pancreatic cancer should encourage their use in that population."
	Network offers molecular testing of biliary tract cancers across Canada March 5, 2025 - People across Canada with biliary tract cancers (cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder), now have access to molecular testing to help them find treatments and clinical trials that are more likely to work against their cancer.
	ELEVATE seed grants help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital launch new ideas and collaborations March 3, 2025 - The grants, worth a total of $198,000, will advance research on muscle disease, stroke, ovarian cancer and scleroderma.
	By thinking differently, this research team is improving the lives of people with cancer February 20, 2025 - The REthinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) program focuses on comparing existing standard treatments to find out which ones are best for patients with cancer.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 16 CIHR grants worth more than $8 million February 3, 2025 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are leading 16 new projects funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through the most recent operating grant competition.
	Blood removal before major liver surgery cuts transfusions in half December 9, 2024 - Removing 10 per cent of a patient’s blood before major liver surgery and giving it back afterwards reduced transfusions by half, according to a large clinical trial published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
	Researchers create tiny “mobile pharmacy” to fight cancer December 6, 2024 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa and Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS) have developed a novel approach to create tiny “mobile pharmacies” that can get inside tumours and dispense anti-cancer d
	Hormone therapy after prostate cancer surgery improves survival for some patients November 27, 2024 - “These results suggest that some patients should be offered hormone therapy after surgery based on how likely it is that their cancer will spread."
	New solutions needed to reduce blood loss during bladder removal surgery November 5, 2024 - "This study proves that routine use of tranexamic acid is not effective, so we need to explore other options."
	The Ottawa Hospital’s Dr. Rebecca Auer named as one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women October 30, 2024 - Dr. Rebecca Auer, is being recognized by WXN (Women’s Executive Network) as a “Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winner.”
	Drug shows promise for treating cancer-related weight loss October 9, 2024 - “Weight loss caused by cancer can be dangerous and frustrating for patients. This trial offers hope that a new solution may be on the horizon."
	Tumour engineering could provide a powerful new approach to make more cancer patients eligible for targeted immunotherapies September 26, 2024 - There are many highly-effective immunotherapies available in the clinic, but few cancer patients are eligible for these treatments because their tumours must have specific targetable proteins. A new tumour engineering approach could help.
	Earlier use of bone-strengthening agents could benefit people with prostate cancer September 20, 2024 - “These bone-strengthening agents can decrease fracture rates and the need for radiation. We hope that this study will lead to earlier, more pro-active adoption.”
	Dr. John Bell awarded Lifetime Contribution Prize from the Canadian Cancer Society September 4, 2024 - Dr. John Bell has been awarded the Lifetime Contribution Prize from the Canadian Cancer Society in recognition of his international leadership in cancer biotherapeutics, including the discovery and development of cancer-killing viruses and treatments
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 14 CIHR grants worth more than $10 million July 18, 2024 - “Success at CIHR underscores the creativity, dedication and collaboration of our researchers and their teams. Funding for these innovative projects paves the way for groundbreaking advancement in biomedical sciences, improved patient care and progres
	New research reveals how immunotherapy drugs and viruses can work together to kill cancer cells July 5, 2024 - “These results will help guide ongoing efforts to combine checkpoint inhibitors with cancer-killing viruses in clinical trials."
	Breast cancer rates rising among Canadian women in their 20s, 30s and 40s April 26, 2024 - Researchers highlight need for immediate shift in public health policy as early detection is key to reducing breast cancer death and complications.
	Randy McElligott’s unusual reaction to his cancer diagnosis February 27, 2024 - Access to clinical trials is key for patients like Randy. “It means the world to have access to this type of care. And if I can help other patients, what could be better?”
	Reinvigorating immunotherapy: clinical trial provides new hope for lung cancer patients February 23, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital played a key role in an international clinical trial that is providing new hope for people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
	MS drug boosts cancer-fighting virus in lab models February 14, 2024 - “Immune-based therapies for cancer are showing great promise and we hope that research such as this will lead to more benefits for patients,”
	Researchers develop “field guide” to 22 ovarian cancer mouse models February 14, 2024 - Researchers use mouse models of ovarian cancer to better understand the disease and develop new treatments. However, it can be difficult to know which model is best for a particular experiment.
	Cancer + past stroke increases stroke risk nearly 3-fold January 29, 2024 - A study co-led by Drs Deborah Siegal and Rinku Sutradhar found that people who had a stroke prior to a cancer diagnosis were nearly three times more likely to have a future stroke compared to other cancer patients.
	New scientist profile: Dr. David Cook surveys cellular diversity in ovarian cancer to find better treatments January 26, 2024 - “In addition to helping patients with ovarian cancer, I’m fascinated by the science of this disease, and how much we still have to learn."
	Immunotherapy improves survival with mesothelioma lung cancer January 4, 2024 - An international clinical trial published in The Lancet shows that immunotherapy improves survival in people with an aggressive type of lung cancer called pleural mesothelioma.
	Making CAR T Therapies More Accessible January 2, 2024 - “Our study shows there is room for CAR T therapy in the market. We further show that Canadian-made CAR T therapy could be cost-effective and has a much better chance of being funded than existing commercial CAR T therapies.”
	A promising treatment for terminal cancer patients may be just the beginning December 15, 2023 - Researchers in Ottawa and Vancouver are building a made-in-Canada network to treat patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other cancers
	A passion for medicine sparked by a grandmother and Star Trek December 15, 2023 - Meet Dr. Jean Seely — breast radiologist and researcher
	Catching cancer at its sneakiest moment November 9, 2023 - Dr. Rebecca Auer is receiving the Chrétien Researcher of the Year Award from The Ottawa Hospital for her research on cancer surgery and immunotherapies
	Capturing immunotherapy response in a blood drop October 26, 2023 - A clinical trial published in Nature Medicine suggests that using a “liquid biopsy” to measure tiny bits of tumour DNA in blood could determine if immunotherapy drugs are working in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
	Clinical trial drug could boost cancer-fighting viruses October 13, 2023 - New research led by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo’s group shows that a compound called pevonedistat, which is currently showing promise in cancer clinical trials, could boost the activity of cancer-fighting viruses.
	Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre, The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy September 18, 2023 - The best part of Dr. Natasha Kekre’s workday is when she is able to offer hope to her patients through clinical trials. As The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy, Dr. Kekre is looking forward to many more hopeful conve
	Ottawa scientist spearheads groundbreaking cancer treatments August 18, 2023 - If you’re in the field of oncology, you’ve likely heard of Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo, an internationally recognized scientist with expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, cancer therapeutics and viral immunology.
	Breast cancer screening before age 50 linked with better survival August 4, 2023 - Canadian provinces and territories that allowed women 40-49 to self-refer for organized breast cancer screening programs with annual mammograms had better survival and lower breast cancer mortality rates compared with those that did not, according to
	Examining CAR-T therapy, person by person June 5, 2023 - Who responds better to CAR-T therapy? Men or women? What dose of the therapy works best?
	Next-generation cancer-fighting viruses could be fine-tuned with a pill June 2, 2023 - Cancer-fighting (oncolytic) viruses can infect and kill cancer cells without harming normal tissues, while also delivering therapeutic / toxic genes to tumours and stimulating an anti-cancer immune response.
	2,000 Ottawa participants recruited to breast cancer screening study May 26, 2023 - The Ottawa site of the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) recently reached its enrollment goal of 2,000 participants. Led by Dr. Jean Seely, the Ottawa site first opened in 2017.
	Dr. Piriya Yoganathan named one of Ottawa’s Forty Under 40 May 5, 2023 - This sought-after business award is a joint initiative of the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal.
	Bringing cellular immunotherapy to solid tumours: made-in-Canada approach to be pioneered in biliary tract cancers thanks to $7.4M grant April 13, 2023 - Canadians with biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder) will have the first chance to benefit from a new made-in-Canada approach to personalized cellular immunotherapy, thanks to a $7.4 million grant from the Canadian Cancer Society
	From a project to a platform: A new and less expensive way to deliver immunotherapy April 5, 2023 - Exosomes are a promising vehicle for delivering immunotherapies for many reasons. They can target specific cells or tissues, their contents are protected from degradation, there is no danger of rejection by the host, and as vehicles for cell communic
	Meet Dr. Manoj Lalu, the clinician-scientist bringing lab discoveries to patients every day March 16, 2023 - From looking at how we can use stem cells to treat diseases like sepsis to dealing with patients directly in the ICU and OR, Dr. Lalu is making an impact behind the scenes and beyond.
	Dr. Natasha Kekre wins national recognition for early career success March 15, 2023 - Dr. Kekre's early-career work has secured millions in funding and led to numerous peer-reviewed publications as she’s helped advance the immunotherapy field in Canada.
	‘Cord blood cells are priceless for us’ March 1, 2023 - Cord blood donors help fuel Dr. William Stanford’s research and bring hope to leukemia patients
	Potential colorectal cancer treatment combines immunotherapy and viral therapy in a powerful new way February 16, 2023 - Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of many kinds of cancer, but for colorectal cancer, success has been limited to patients with rare genetic mutations. To tackle this challenge, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital engineered a new kind of
	ELEVATE seed grants to help researchers at The Ottawa Hospital develop better treatments and improve patient care February 1, 2023 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute is awarding five ELEVATE seed grants to early-career researchers to spur the development of innovative treatments and better patient care.
	How patients can improve the way new cancer therapies are assessed January 27, 2023 - Researchers are bringing patient perspectives on new health technologies into the health economic evaluation process.
	Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre January 26, 2023 - A hematologist for our Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, Dr. Kekre is also an associate scientist in our Clinical Epidemiology Program and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa.
	Made-in-Canada approach enhancing access to groundbreaking CAR-T cancer therapy January 19, 2023 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are partnering with colleagues across the country to expand access to new technology that turns patients’ immune cells into super-charged cancer-killers.
	Outside-the-box thinking saves young man with colorectal cancer January 11, 2023 - When Dr. Auer left the exam room after meeting Haydn for the first time, she remembers feeling heartbroken, thinking about this young man’s life, his future, and the diagnosis he faced.
	People with lived experience of cancer are bringing crucial insights to studies January 11, 2023 - The early days after Gary Davis’s leukemia diagnosis were all a blur. Now cancer-free, Gary is advising our researchers on how to navigate difficult conversations about study participation with patients like himself
	CAR-T clinical trial provides ‘one last shot’ for leukemia patient January 11, 2023 - Camille Leahy was out of options. Here's what led her to a Canadian-first CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial at our hospital.
	Canadian-Led Immunotherapies in Cancer (CLIC) program inspires innovative CAR-T trial in Denmark December 8, 2022 - CAR-T therapy is a groundbreaking cancer treatment that involves genetically engineering a patient’s own immune cells to attack their cancer. While this therapy is commercially available in many countries, cancer researchers are also developing their
	Fireflies help researcher shine a light on COVID-19 November 2, 2022 - As a child watching fireflies in northern Iran, Dr. Taha Azad never dreamed he would someday use the secret behind their glow to help fight cancer and a global pandemic.
	Neurologist blazes new trails in stroke research November 2, 2022 - For a neurology resident who spent the last five years sleeping in hospitals and saving lives, Dr. Ronda Lun’s research accomplishments are nothing short of incredible.
	Bench to bedside: the quest to prevent cancer from coming back after surgery October 20, 2022 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have made another important step forward in their quest to find innovative ways to stop cancer from coming back after surgery. While surgery often provides the best option for removing all or most of a tumour, resea
	Novel DNA-targeting drug shows activity in patients with breast, ovarian cancer October 13, 2022 - A clinical trial led by Dr. John Hilton shows that a novel drug called CX-5461 is active in patients with advanced solid cancers with DNA repair deficiencies. The phase I trial enrolled 40 patients at The Ottawa Hospital and two other centres.
	Tweaking the ovary’s immune system may help prevent ovarian cancer October 5, 2022 - The diabetes drug metformin prevents fibrosis in the ovaries by adjusting the organ’s immune cells, according to a study in mice published in Science Advances.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Nicola Schieda aims to improve imaging diagnosis of prostate, kidney cancers October 5, 2022 - Radiologist Dr. Nicola Schieda works on algorithms to improve the non-invasive diagnosis of kidney and prostate cancers using MRI and CT scans.
	Arginine supplement prevents cancer spread after surgery in mice, but more research in humans is required September 1, 2022 - Two new papers from Dr. Rebecca Auer’s group are shedding light on how cancer spreads after surgery and how we might stop it.
	Anti-fungal drug shows promise against COVID-19 in lab studies August 18, 2022 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have discovered that a common anti-fungal drug can protect against COVID-19 in laboratory models. The drug, called bifonazole, blocks the interaction between the viral spike protein and its cell-surface receptor (AC
	Study shows annual screening before age 50 leads to lower proportions of advanced breast cancer August 10, 2022 - A new study has found Canadian provinces that annually screen women aged 40-49 had lower proportions of advanced breast cancer compared to women aged 50-59 from provinces that did not hold annual mammograms.
	Lab-grown “mini-kidneys” unlock secrets of a rare disease July 21, 2022 - Researchers have solved a medical mystery in a poorly understood disease by uncovering which cells cause tumours in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 19 CIHR grants worth more than $12 million July 20, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autism, Kabuki Syndrome, kidney disease, patient engagement, blood transfusions, sepsis, surgery, anesthesia, plasma donation, muscle
	First made-in-Canada CAR-T cell therapy for cancer shows promise in clinical trial June 17, 2022 - More than a dozen people with cancer who had exhausted all treatment options are alive and cancer-free today thanks to a pioneering Canadian clinical trial of a highly personalized kind of immunotherapy.
	Meet the award-winning team behind our cancer clinical trials May 18, 2022 - What does it take to run a world-class cancer clinical trials program that tests new therapies and gives patients hope, time, and quality of life? At The Ottawa Hospital’s Oncology Clinical Trials Office, it takes a large and dedicated team of 60 sta
	Drilling down to improve CAR T therapy May 4, 2022 - Dr. Dean Fergusson and his team are drilling down into clinical trial data, which is normally reported at an aggregate level, at the individual patient level to get more information about who benefits most from CAR T therapy and under what conditions
	Ottawa researchers recognized with international awards for reproductive biology and health April 29, 2022 - Ottawa’s reproductive biology researchers took the lead in international recognition this year, receiving three of 12 prestigious awards from the Society for the Study of Reproduction.
	Meet cancer researcher and science outreach volunteer Zaid Taha April 29, 2022 - Since his undergraduate years, Zaid has been an active volunteer in youth science outreach and is now a coordinator for the University of Ottawa chapter of the national Let’s Talk Cancer program, a free symposium for secondary school students.
	Cancer cells break their own DNA to buy time to repair radiation damage April 28, 2022 - A research team from Europe and Canada has discovered that cancer cells break their own DNA in a controlled, reversible way to buy time to repair the massive DNA damage that occurs during radiation treatment. Their research, published in top journal
	Meet cancer researcher Dr. Taylor Jamieson-Datzkiw April 25, 2022 - When she’s not studying to be a doctor or in the lab working on cancer-killing viruses, Métis researcher Dr. Taylor Jamieson-Datzkiw can be found mentoring the next generation of scientists and health-care providers.
	Meet cancer researcher Dr. Meshach Asare-Werehene April 22, 2022 - “I feel like I’m at that place where I could lend a hand to fighting cancer. The work I’m doing is going to touch lives. Although I’ve had challenges, I didn’t allow those challenges to overcome who I want to be.”
	Kiss of sleep: how blood cancer cells put the immune system’s Natural Killer cells to sleep April 13, 2022 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have discovered that a kind of kiss between cells, called trogocytosis, plays a key role in the battle between the immune system and blood cancer cells.
	Cancer-fighting viruses soften up their victims before attacking April 7, 2022 - A research team based at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa has developed a virus that infects and kills cancer cells without harming normal cells, while also sending out signals to prepare nearby uninfected cancer cells for viral attac
	A “smorgasbord” of cancer research, treatment, and life philosophy March 18, 2022 - Dr. Mark Clemons’ keen sense of humour and sharp wit have earned him an enduring and respected reputation among cancer patients at The Ottawa Hospital, where he is a medical oncologist. His patients regularly comment on the positive difference his un
	Advancing personalized medicine for breast cancer March 16, 2022 - While breast cancer can often be cured if caught early, once it spreads to other organs the five-year survival rate is just 28%. Dr. Luc Sabourin and his team hope to put the brakes on aggressive forms of breast cancer, and their latest study in Brea
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 CIHR grants worth more than $11 million February 5, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as tuberculosis, blood disease, prostate cancer, heart disease, muscle repair, sleep apnea, brain cancer, medical imaging, virtual care, prehab, intellectual disability, sarcoma, CA
	Personalized anti-cancer vaccine shows promise in mice January 28, 2022 - Treatments for cancer are becoming increasingly personalized, not just to a type of cancer, but even to an individual patient. A new study successfully applies this strategy in a new way in mouse models.
	Harnessing tumour diversity could improve cancer treatment January 27, 2022 - The molecular landscape of every tumour is diverse and unique, even within the same type of cancer, according to a study published in Science Advances.
	First made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy gives lymphoma patient a third chance January 10, 2022 - Faced with the return of his lymphoma for the third time in ten years, Owen Snider was running out of options. But there was new hope when he was accepted into a made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy clinical trial.
	Helping patients and saving money: Drug that prevents blood clots in cancer patients is cost-effective January 6, 2022 - People with cancer are four to seven times more likely to have a blood clot than the general population.
	A patient’s dying wish to move medical science forward December 9, 2021 - Despite battling breast cancer, Paula Helmer found a driving ambition and raised her voice in support of clinical trials.
	Cannabis for cancer-related symptoms: actively recruiting patients for clinical trial December 6, 2021 - This new study will research if cannabis oils are effective in treating symptoms related to your cancer or cancer treatment.
	New commentary finds flaws in study that shaped current breast cancer screening guidelines November 23, 2021 - Researchers at Sunnybrook Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital, The University of British Columbia, The University of Alberta and Harvard Medical School have published a new commentary in the Journal of Medical Screening that confirms significant
	Medicine’s future: living drugs November 19, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre harnessing the life-saving power of biological therapies
	How a simple question as a child in Ghana led to award-winning discoveries in ovarian cancer November 15, 2021 - Meet Dr. Meshach Asare-Werehene — winner of the Worton Researcher in Training Award
	Researcher blazes a trail in ovarian cancer November 12, 2021 - Dr. Meshach Asare-Werehene is receiving the Worton Researcher in Training Award from The Ottawa Hospital in recognition of his cutting-edge discoveries and extraordinary leadership
	Startup company Virica Biotech aims to enhance production of viral medicines October 4, 2021 - Virica Biotech, a startup company founded by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo, announced a major funding milestone and the grand opening of its new process innovation facility this month.
	A glimpse inside the mind of neurosurgery expert, Dr. Fahad Alkherayf August 18, 2021 - Dr. Fahad Alkherayf is the Director of the Clinical Research Program in the Neurosurgery Division of The Ottawa Hospital. As a neurosurgeon, he specializes in minimally invasive surgeries, which use much smaller incisions than traditional surgeries
	50 ways to repair an ovary? Study suggests multiple pathways can create stem-like ovarian cells August 17, 2021 - Approximately every 28 days, hundreds of cells die and disintegrate on the ovary’s surface as an egg breaks through and begins its journey. Ovaries have become masters at repairing this damage, but exactly how they do this remains a mystery.
	Nothing about me, without me: Engaging patients in clinical trials August 13, 2021 - It seems obvious – blindingly so – that patients, traditionally the subjects of clinical trials, should be involved as partners from the beginning. The benefits for patients are clear – an increased sense of control and the ability to learn about the
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded eight grants worth $5 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research August 10, 2021 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer immunotherapy, orthopedic surgery, long-term care, neuromuscular disease, blood clots, vascular disease, aging, kidney disease and Inuit health.
	Researchers work towards the development of targeted therapies for ovarian cancer August 9, 2021 - Researchers have made great strides in developing targeted therapies for many cancers, but the treatment options for ovarian cancer remain limited. Motivated by a desire to help these patients, Dr. Johanne Weberpals and her colleagues conducted a det
	Canadian study finds fewer breast cancers diagnosed between screens when women with dense breasts are offered more frequent mammograms July 20, 2021 - A new study published in the Canadian Association of Radiologists’ Journal shows that Canadian jurisdictions that offer more frequent mammograms to women with dense breasts had fewer cancers diagnosed between screens.
	How well do COVID-19 vaccines work in people with blood cancer? July 15, 2021 - Blood cancer, and the treatments used to fight it, can weaken the immune system and make patients more susceptible to viruses like COVID-19. A weak immune system can also mean a weaker response to vaccines, but very little research has been done on C
	How well do COVID-19 vaccines work in people with cancer? July 15, 2021 - Research is urgently needed to know how well COVID-19 vaccines work in people with cancer. More than 2 million Canadians are currently living with cancer and many of these individuals have weakened immune systems, either due to the cancer itself, or
	Treatment while waiting for surgery for breast cancer - can it improve surgical outcomes? June 23, 2021 - Drs. Angel Arnaout and Arif Awan are leading a clinical trial to determine if an experimental treatment can slow down the growth and spread of early stage breast cancer while activating the patient’s immune system before surgery
	Researchers honoured for outstanding work in anesthesiology, blood disease and cancer June 4, 2021 - A number of outstanding researchers and research teams have been honoured through The Ottawa Hospital’s Excellence Awards program for 2021.
	BRCA mutated pancreatic cancer: A change is coming June 1, 2021 - Pancreatic cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death with few available therapies for advanced disease. Recently, patients with germline BRCA mutations have received increased attention due to advances in the management of BRCA mutated o
	Hold the ice: study shows no benefit during kidney cancer surgery May 19, 2021 - A clinical trial shows that contrary to popular belief, renal hypothermia doesn’t actually improve kidney function after kidney cancer surgery.
	Harnessing artificial intelligence and nanophotonics to fight ovarian cancer May 12, 2021 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have been awarded $150,000 from the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Brain Canada Foundation to harness artificial intelligence and nanophoto
	New Scientist profile: Dr. Miriam Kimpton aims to prevent blood clots in patients with rare blood cancer April 30, 2021 - Dr. Miriam Kimpton’s research centers on myeloproliferative neoplasms, a rare form of chronic blood cancer
	Cancer clinical trial team and investigator receive major national honours April 29, 2021 - A group from The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program has received the Investigational New Drug Program Team Award from the Canadian Cancer Trials Group for the sixth time in 10 years.
	Experts on call: Stem cells, gene therapy and biotherapeutics April 22, 2021 - Could biotherapeutics be the key to the next wave of medical breakthroughs? Join this lively discussion to learn how researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are using biological materials like cells, genes and viruses to heal the body and fight disease.
	Personalized approach reduces nausea in breast cancer patients April 15, 2021 - Cancer chemotherapy often causes nausea and vomiting, but a new clinical trial shows that a personalized approach can help. The trial, led by Dr. Mark Clemons, used a calculator his team developed to identify breast cancer patients with a high risk o
	Translational research grant could help to develop new immunotherapies for leukemia April 5, 2021 - While CAR-T and other forms of immunotherapy are providing new hope for people with acute B-cell leukemia (B-ALL), much less progress has been made in treating acute T-cell leukemia (T-ALL).
	Cancer team awarded $5M for cell-based immunotherapy research March 3, 2021 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are partnering with colleagues across the country to expand Canada’s capacity to develop new cell-based immunotherapies for cancer with a $5.2 million grant from the Canada Foundation fo
	One small step for blood cancer patients, one giant step for Canadian cancer patients of all stripes February 25, 2021 - The Canadian-Led Immunotherapies in Cancer (CLIC) research program is building Canada’s capacity for innovation in CAR-T therapy, with support from BioCanRx, The Ottawa Hospital, BC Cancer and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
	New scientist profile: Dr. Tzu-Fei Wang aims to guide blood clot care for cancer patients February 17, 2021 - When hematologist Dr. Tzu-Fei Wang is deciding on the best way to treat a patient’s blood clot, she’ll ask whether they are taking any other medications. A quick check of an online database confirms whether these medications interact poorly with any
	World-first clinical trial aims to protect cancer patients from COVID-19 December 9, 2020 - Our researchers are leading the way in a world-first clinical trial to protect vulnerable cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
	Breast cancer patients benefit from Ottawa-based study December 3, 2020 - There is such deep love in Gina Mertikas-Lavictoire’s eyes when she looks at her three young children. But there is something else, too: fear. Fear that one or even both of her daughters will develop the same aggressive breast cancer she’s had. So, w
	Bone-modulating drugs can be given less often during cancer treatment, reducing side-effects and saving time and money November 28, 2020 - When cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause pain, reduce mobility and increase the risk of fractures. Bone modulating drugs can help, but a new study suggests that to maximize the value of these drugs, it may be better to give them less often.
	Vaccines and viral immunotherapies: unique Canadian program provides training to manufacture biotherapeutics November 21, 2020 - As COVID-19 highlights the urgent need to increase vaccine manufacturing around the world, a unique training program is bolstering Canada’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, as well as viral immunotherapies for cancer and other emerging biotherapeuti
	New scientist profile: Dr. Lisa Caulley aims to find the best care for ear, nose and throat disorders October 21, 2020 - Dr. Lisa Caulley aims to help her colleagues make the best care decisions for ear, nose and throat disorders. New techniques and treatments are constantly being developed to treat these complex conditions, but it is not always clear which will work b
	Fewer hospital visits, safer care, less cost: study changing breast cancer treatment around the world October 15, 2020 - A new study published in Annals of Oncology shows that a drug commonly used to prevent infections in breast cancer patients can safely be given less often, meaning fewer hospital visits, fewer side effects and reduced treatment costs.
	From “what if” to “what is” October 9, 2020 - What if you could deliver just one product, in this case one cancer-killing (or oncolytic) virus, to any kind of cancer and have that virus turn into something customized to kill one particular cancer –your own.
	Unexpected breast cancer diagnosis leads patient down an uncertain path October 1, 2020 - During her treatment, Annette participated in several clinical trials through The Ottawa Hospital's innovative REthinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) program. This program engages patients and their loved ones in research every step of the way, from
	Research reveals potential approach to make ovarian tumours ‘hot’ September 23, 2020 - In recent years, researchers have begun to recognize that some tumours are naturally “hot”, meaning they contain lots of immune cells that are actively fighting the cancer cells. Other tumours are “cold”, meaning, meaning they have little to no immun
	Hold the blood: world-first clinical trial could cut transfusions nearly in half for blood cancer patients September 23, 2020 - Regular red blood cell transfusions are a reality of life for many people with blood cancer. But now, a world-first clinical trial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has found that blood cancer patients don’t need nearly as many blood tran
	The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa launch new cancer immunotherapy research projects with funding from BioCanRx September 22, 2020 - BioCanRx, Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, today announced funding of $10M for 14 cancer immunotherapy research projects and eight core and biomanufacturing facilities across the country. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the University of
	Rock star researcher uses big data to answer big questions September 18, 2020 - Growing up, David Cook knew he was going to be a rock star. Little did he know it would be as a researcher answering big questions with big data.
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded six CIHR grants worth $2.6 million September 7, 2020 - Could a common diabetes drug help prevent ovarian cancer? Can a tailored screening program help prevent eye disease in immigrants? Is sepsis different in females versus males, and if so, can this help us develop better treatments? These are just a fe
	Virus and targeted drug synergize to fight cancer in mice August 26, 2020 - While some cancer cells can be killed quickly by a single drug, the reality for patients is that multiple therapies are often required, especially if resistance develops. A new study led by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo reveals for the first time that two pr
	Protecting cancer patients from COVID-19 July 8, 2020 - In the race to find new ways to prevent and treat COVID-19, Canadian researchers have launched an innovative clinical trial focussed on strengthening the immune system for one of the most vulnerable populations – cancer patients.
	Researchers and research staff honoured for outstanding work in cancer clinical trials, emergency medicine, cell sorting and tissue collection April 29, 2020 - A number of outstanding researchers and research teams have been honoured through The Ottawa Hospital’s Excellence Awards program for 2020. They include the Rethinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) program, Senior Clinical Research Associate in Emergency M
	Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden wins uOttawa Award for Excellence in Research March 4, 2020 - Distinguished Professor Barbara Vanderhyden has won the highly-coveted University of Ottawa Award for Excellence in Research in the Sciences stream for 2019-2020 academic year.
	Could biotherapeutics be the next revolution in cancer treatment? February 20, 2020 - From helping the body’s own immune system better detect and fight cancer, to treating cancer with immune cells, viruses and vaccines, The Ottawa Hospital is conducting cutting-edge research that could transform cancer care right here at home and arou
	Margaret's Gift February 20, 2020 - Ovarian cancer claimed Margaret Craig’s life. Now her generous gift is opening new doors to preventing the disease. Margaret knew research would ultimately provide the solution to ovarian cancer. Her donation through her will is opening new doors to
	How a lung cancer survivor advocate is helping advance research that will lead to early detection February 7, 2020 - In September of 2013, Jill Hamer-Wilson caught something many of us tend to catch this time of year – a cold. While the cold eventually went away, a cough remained, and lingered for quite some time. Little did Jill know that this was an early sign of
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded nine grants worth $5.6 million from Canadian Institutes of Health Research February 3, 2020 - How can we treat depression when nothing else is working? How can heart growth be both good and bad? How can we increase patient participation in clinical trials? These are just a few of the big questions that researchers at The Ottawa Hospital will
	Prostate cancer study means more flexible treatment options for patients January 23, 2020 - A clinical trial led by Dr. Shawn Malone found that prostate cancer patients given hormone therapy prior to radiation therapy had similar outcomes compared with patients in whom both therapies were started simultaneously.
	How often should an incurable cancer be scanned? New evidence-based method shows the way December 3, 2019 - A team led by Dr. David Stewart has developed a way to calculate how often patients receiving life-extending treatments for incurable cancers should have follow-up scans.
	Researchers find potential biomarker to detect ovarian cancer earlier November 27, 2019 - The protein gelsolin may help doctors detect ovarian cancer earlier, according to a preliminary study led by Dr. Benjamin Tsang. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at a late stage because there is no reliable screening test to catch it early.
	Ottawa hosts hugely successful Canadian Cancer Research Conference November 27, 2019 - Nearly 900 researchers, clinicians, trainees and members of the public recently came together for the Canadian Cancer Research Conference, held for the first time in Ottawa.
	Curious about cancer, research and clinical trials? Join us on November 2, 2019 for "Cancer: Piecing the Puzzle Together" October 19, 2019 - This free event is organized by the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance in collaboration with The Ottawa Hospital and other partners. It will be of interest to cancer patients, survivors, their families and others affected by or interested in the disea
	“Wild idea” opens possible new frontier for preventing ovarian cancer October 9, 2019 - A laboratory study published in Clinical Cancer Research offers a new hypothesis about how ovarian cancer forms and suggests how it might be prevented. The study is the first to show that the natural stiffening of the ovaries called fibrosis occurs w
	Ottawa a “hotbed of patient partnerships in research” September 27, 2019 - The Ontario SPOR Support Unit’s summer newsletter showcases how Ottawa has become a “hotbed of patient partnerships in research.” Three stories demonstrate how researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are partnering with patients and caregivers to improve
	From surgery to discovery: innovative tissue collection process to fuel breakthroughs September 26, 2019 - The Ottawa Hospital is rolling out “Global Tissue Consenting and Collecting” (GTC). As part of the operative consent process, surgeons will ask all patients if they agree to have their surplus tissue from the OR used for research. This new streamline
	New research chair to lead cutting-edge work in liver and pancreatic cancer September 10, 2019 - The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Guillaume Martel as the first Arnie Vered Family Chair in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Research.
	Dr. Dawn Stacey co-hosts International Shared Decision Making Conference August 14, 2019 - Dr. Dawn Stacey co-hosted the International Shared Decision Making Conference in Quebec City with Dr. France Légaré. More than 400 people from 22 countries participated in the conference, which focused on Patient-Oriented Shared Decision Ma
	The promise of CAR-T therapy for cancer: meta-analysis shows the big picture August 14, 2019 - CAR-T therapy, which uses a patient’s own genetically modified immune cells, is one of the most exciting advances in cancer treatment. To get a big picture view of the field, Drs. Manoj Lalu and Dean Fergusson led a team that analyzed data from nearl
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 13 grants worth $11.2 million from Canadian Institutes of Health Research July 26, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded 13 grants worth a total of $11.2 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The new projects focus on areas such as cancer immunotherapy, hepatitis C infection, blood clots, ar
	Researchers discover new kind of brain tumour July 8, 2019 - Dr. John Woulfe and his colleagues have identified a new kind of brain tumour. It was removed during a young woman’s treatment, and did not match any existing tumour classifications.
	New scientist profile: Dr. Fahad AlKherayf aims to improve minimally invasive brain surgery June 26, 2019 - Neurosurgeon Dr. Fahad AlKherayf specializes in removing tumours from the base of the skull that are normally difficult for the surgeon to access by operating through the nose. His research aims to improve this minimally invasive technique.
	Researchers get $745,000 boost from NSERC May 29, 2019 - Four scientists from The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, were successful in the recent discovery grant competition from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).
	Clinical trials offer strong foundation for better patient care May 16, 2019 - Clinical trials are an important step toward developing new treatments and learning more about diseases and conditions. In honour of International Clinical Trials Day, read how some of the researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are making huge contribut
	Start discussions on end-of-life care earlier, study suggests May 15, 2019 - A study led by Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng found that many patients with terminal cancer who visited the Emergency Department in 2012 within two weeks of dying in hospital did not have an advanced care plan.
	Precision medicine approach for leukemia awarded $1.5M May 1, 2019 - Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. A team of researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa is hoping to revolutionize treatment for AML by developing a “precision medicine” approach.
	Dr. John Bell wins public and patient engagement award April 15, 2019 - Dr. John Bell won the inaugural European Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Public and Patient Engagement Award.
	Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden receives international award for mentoring the scientists of tomorrow April 12, 2019 - Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden received the 2019 Trainee Mentoring Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction for her profound impact on the next generation of reproductive biology researchers.
	Breakthrough reveals how a stem cell decides between two fates March 29, 2019 - Dr. Marjorie Brand’s team discovered how a blood stem cell decides whether to become a red blood cell or a platelet-forming cell in a new study published in Cell Stem Cell. By using a technique that measures tiny amounts of proteins in individual cel
	Clinicians at The Ottawa Hospital launch 14 innovative projects to improve health-care delivery, thanks to funding from TOHAMO and The Ottawa Hospital’s Research Institute March 22, 2019 - The Ottawa Hospital Academic Medical Organization (TOHAMO) has awarded $1.169 million in Innovation Grants to 14 teams, with supporting funds provided by the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
	3D gel helps researchers find potential drugs for lung cancer, other diseases March 15, 2019 - Researchers in Ottawa and Toronto have created a spongy 3D gel that mimics lung tissue, allowing them to quickly screen hundreds of potential drugs for lung cancer and other diseases.
	Patients and clinical trial experts key to upcoming made-in-Canada CAR-T clinical trial March 1, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are known around the world for their expertise in designing and leading clinical trials, and they're now applying this knowledge to create a made-in-Canada approach for CAR-T cell cl
	Researchers to advance science and improve health with new CIHR funding February 14, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, are playing a lead role in nine new projects funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). These projects will advance science and improve health in areas su
	Every day was a gift for Jillian O’Connor February 4, 2019 - Eighteen weeks into her third pregnancy, Jillian O’Connor was diagnosed with breast cancer and given less than two years to live. In February 2019, she celebrated the fourth birthday of her healthy baby boy. She lived life to the fullest and champion
	TMIST - MAC.22 January 17, 2019 - If you are a woman aged 45 to 74 who is planning to get a routine screening mammogram then you are eligible for this trial. Please ask your doctor to fax a request to The Ottawa Hospital Breast Imaging Booking office at 613-761-4405, clearly indicat
	Advances in radiation therapy improve treatment for early-stage prostate cancer January 16, 2019 - Many patients with early-stage prostate cancer now have access to shorter and more convenient courses of radiation treatment thanks in part to research at The Ottawa Hospital. The treatment, known as hypofractionated radiation therapy, delivers more
	Award-winning immunology research shows how cancer surgery paralyzes part of the immune system January 11, 2019 - Surgery is very effective in removing solid cancers, but it also suppresses the immune system in a way that makes it easier for remaining cancer cells to survive and spread. New research led by Dr. Rebecca Auer shows that surgery paralyzes immune cel
	Drug dramatically reduces risk of dangerous blood clots in cancer patients December 4, 2018 - A Canadian clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine provides the first approach for safely preventing blood clots (or venous thromboembolism) in people with cancer. About half of people newly diagnosed with a solid cancer coul
	Dr. William Stanford has been named The Ottawa Hospital’s Chrétien Researcher of the Year for his work on blood cancer and other diseases October 23, 2018 - When Dr. William Stanford first became a biological scientist, he simply followed his curiosity and was happy to let others pursue any practical applications of his research. Today, he goes on bedside rounds with clinicians, meets with patients and d
	New drug combination destroys chemo-resistant blood cancer October 22, 2018 - Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa have developed a promising targeted strategy to treat chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and a diagnostic test to determine which AML patients would most likely benefi
	Often-overlooked Natural Killer cells may be key to cancer immunotherapy September 10, 2018 - Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionizing the treatment of cancer, but new research challenges the central dogma of how these drugs work. This research, published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation, shows for the first time t
	Radioactive seeds for breast cancer surgery: better for patients and the health-care system August 30, 2018 - Tiny breast tumours are difficult for surgeons to find and remove during surgery. For years, the only way to do it was to insert a wire (known as a harpoon) into the breast to mark the tumour during pre-surgical imaging. But the wire was uncomfortabl
	Targeting cancer stem cells improves survival in certain kinds of colorectal cancer August 16, 2018 - An international clinical trial led by Dr. Derek Jonker found that a drug that targets cancer stem cells improved survival in patients with a specific form of colorectal cancer. Cancer stem cells make up a very small part of a some tumours. However,
	The cancer’s gone but the fear remains: psychology researchers tackle fear of cancer recurrence August 16, 2018 - A pilot study by Drs. Christina Tomei, Sophie Lebel, Christine Maheu, Monique Lefebvre, and Cheryl Harris suggests that specialized psychological services could help cancer survivors manage their fear of cancer returning. While this is a realistic fe
	Using stem cells to treat brain cancer: pilot study highlights potential new approach August 16, 2018 - Stem cells are usually associated with repairing damaged tissue and treating degenerative diseases, but they also have a unique property that may be harnessed to fight cancer. When injected into the body, stem cells naturally migrate to tumours, and
	People with rare blood cancer live longer, healthier lives with new targeted treatment regimen August 1, 2018 - A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, co-authored by Dr. David MacDonald, is providing hope and changing lives for people with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. This rare form of cancer occurs in white blood cells called B cells, w
	$1.7 million to advance research on colon cancer, brain development, kidney disease and severe fluid loss July 20, 2018 - Four research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $1.7 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Their projects will advance sci
	Researchers uncover possible new mechanism to enhance cancer-killing viruses July 11, 2018 - Cancer-killing (oncolytic) viruses have shown promise in the lab and the clinic, but they don’t always work. New research led by Dr. Carolina Ilkow could help change this. While normal cells often lose their first line of antiviral defenses when they
	Urologists reduce unnecessary prostate cancer surgery in Eastern Ontario July 5, 2018 - A growing number of patients in Eastern Ontario are being saved from unnecessary prostate cancer surgeries, according to a study led by Dr. Luke Lavallée and Dr. Luke Witherspoon published in CMAJ Open. While prostate cancer is the most common cancer
	Sex, viruses and cancer: Erectile dysfunction drugs and flu vaccine may work together to help immune system fight cancer after surgery May 17, 2018 - A new study suggests that a common treatment for erectile dysfunction combined with the flu vaccine may be able to help the immune system mop up cancer cells left behind after surgery. The study, published in OncoImmunology, shows that this unconvent
	Colonoscopies save lives, but study finds room for improvement May 16, 2018 - Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in Canada. Colonoscopy can reduce the risks of CRC and CRC-related death through early detection and treatment of pre-cancerous growth. A new study led by Dr. Sanjay Murthy found that while co
	Economics professor cancer-free after immunotherapy trial for skin cancer May 3, 2018 - Economics professor Dr. David Gray took part in a clinical trial to see whether an immunotherapy drug could keep his high-risk skin cancer from coming back. Four years later, he’s still cancer-free.
	Unique research database to improve care for thoracic surgery patients April 18, 2018 - Dr. Andrew Seely is helping lead a national project to greatly enhance quality improvement and clinical research in thoracic surgery. This Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons Quality Improvement Program was awarded $727,900 by the Canadian Pa
	Exploiting the Achilles’ heel of a severe form of childhood leukemia March 19, 2018 - Drs. Marjorie Brand and Jean-François Couture were awarded $588,000 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to investigate a new treatment approach for one of the most aggressive forms of childhood leukemia. The current treatment for T-cell
	MS drug makes cancer-fighting viruses more effective in lab models February 7, 2018 - A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis and psoriasis can dramatically enhance the spread of cancer-fighting viruses in human tumour samples and animal models, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine. A team led by Dr. Jean
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded $12.7M for research, double the national CIHR success rate January 30, 2018 - Sixteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $12.7 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a success r
	Does this liver surgery patient need a blood transfusion? New tool can help doctors decide September 21, 2017 - Health care providers now have a new tool to help decide whether a liver surgery patient needs a blood transfusion, thanks to a study led by Drs. Guillaume Martel and Dean Fergusson. Liver surgery often involves major bleeding, and about one in fou
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 research grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, worth $10.7 million May 19, 2017 - Eighteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded nearly $11 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a suc
	Could old drugs target lung cancer in a new way? February 23, 2017 - Dr. Doug Gray received a $196,000 grant from a partnership of the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute and Canadian Institutes of Health Research to investigate new ways to prevent lung cancer from spreading. By the time most patients with lu
	New approach to clinical trials could revolutionize cancer care February 23, 2017 - Yasemin Heinbecker was a career diplomat used to working 10-hour days when she received a diagnosis last fall that stopped her busy life in its tracks. Like 25,000 other Canadian women every year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and ended up “re
	Surgeon looks to research to reduce blood transfusions during liver surgery February 3, 2017 - France Todd was part of a pilot study to reduce the amount of blood patients lose during liver surgery and limit their need for blood transfusions.
	Lung cancer breakthrough: 70% of patients with specific mutation respond to new therapy November 2, 2016 - A clinical trial led by Dr. Glen Goss has helped make a new kind of personalized therapy available for some patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Over the last 15 years, many of these patients have benefited greatly from drugs that target can
	$2-million project aims to bring personalized medicine to lung cancer care October 11, 2016 - A team led by Dr. David Stewart, Dr. Bryan Lo, Dr. Pearl Campbell and Craig Ivany has received $2 million from Genome Canada and partners to develop a test that can better deliver personalized care for patients with non-small cell lung cancer. So
	Prostate cancer research gets $200,000 boost from TELUS Ride For Dad September 21, 2016 - Drs. Christina Addison, Kristopher Dennis, Jim Dimitroulakos and Luke Lavallée were awarded a combined $200,000 from the 2015 TELUS Ride For Dad to study prostate cancer from four different angles. Dr. Lavallée will establish an advanced prostate
	Immediate hormone therapy for prostate cancer is better than delayed: study September 7, 2016 - An international research team found that men with recurrent prostate cancer who received hormone treatment immediately had improved survival compared to those who delayed treatment. For many years doctors have puzzled over the best time to start a
	To treat, or not to treat? How one man decided to keep his prostate cancer June 29, 2016 - Stephen Wilson of Iroquois, Ontario avoided unnecessary treatments and side-effects by opting for regular monitoring of his slow-growing prostate cancer. Dairy plant manager Stephen Wilson faced a tough choice. In December 2012, he had just be
	Immunotherapy harnesses our own immune system to fight cancer May 18, 2016 - Ed Williams (left) didn’t expect to live more than six months after his skin cancer spread to his brain. But nearly three years later, he is alive and well thanks to immunotherapy. Michelle Renaud (right) is one of the registered nurses who admin
	Virus vs. Prostate Cancer: Canadian Researchers Pioneer Next-generation Therapy -- Prostate Cancer Canada and the Movember Foundation partner to make innovative work possible September 30, 2015 - A multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians led by Dr. John Bell of The Ottawa Hospital is developing a treatment for prostate cancer using viruses that destroy cancer cells and boost the anti-cancer immune response, all the while leaving
	Tender Loving Research working to cure ovarian cancer September 2, 2015 - The latest edition of our Tender Loving Research blog features Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden explaining her motivation to find better ways to detect and treat ovarian cancer. Dr. Vanderhyden notes that ovarian cancer research is a pressing need since the
	Study could reduce unnecessary cancer screening June 22, 2015 - Large clinical trial shows CT scanning does not improve cancer detection in people with unexplained blood clots A large clinical trial led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa has found that contrary to expectati
	Pancreatic cancer loses viral defences when talking with supporting cells April 20, 2015 - Ottawa researchers have unlocked a way to make pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to cancer-killing viruses, known as oncolytic viruses. Outlined in a paper published today by Nature Medicine, the scientists have discovered how they can exploit
	Dr. Rebecca Auer awarded $450,000 to develop novel immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer April 15, 2015 - Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers. Surgery provides the best chance of a cure, but even then, more than 80% of patients will die of their disease. However, immunotherapies, which harness the body’s own immune system to attack cancer
	$1.2M to advance the treatment of pancreatic cancer April 2, 2014 - The Canadian Cancer Society has awarded Dr. John Bell an Impact Grant totalling $1.2 million over the next five years to further his research into the use of viruses to fight pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer. According to the

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Addison, Christina PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Bone and joint degeneration, Cancer, Lung cancer, Lung disease, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Breast cancer	Basic research, Clinical research, Cohort studies, Disease models, Drug development, Genetics, Imaging, Model organisms, Translational research, Molecular and cellular biology
Ardolino, Michele PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Blood cancer, Brain cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Head and neck cancer, Liver cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Skin cancer, Soft tissue sarcoma	Basic research, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Atkins, Harold MD, FRCPC	Senior Clinician Investigator (CR)	Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Cancer, Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, Stiff person syndrome	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Immunotherapy, Oncolytic viruses, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Auer, Rebecca MD, MSc, FRCSC	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Peri-operative medicine, Quality Improvement, Surgery, Translational research, Viral therapy
Bell, John PhD, FRSC, FCAHS	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, COVID-19	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Berardi, Philip MD, PhD, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Aging, Anemia, Bleeding disorders, Blood cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Health equity, Health in older peoples, Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia, Thrombosis / thromboembolism	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cell therapy, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genetics, Genomics, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Stem cells, Translational research
Bissell, Mary Beth MSc, MD, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Breast cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Population health, Women's health	Clinical research
Breau, Rodney MD	Senior Scientist (ACR)	Cancer, Kidney disease, Prostate cancer	Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Imaging, Patient decision aids, Patient engagement, Quality Improvement, Surgery, Systematic reviews, Transfusions
Carrier, Marc MD, MSc, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Cancer, Thrombosis / thromboembolism	Clinical research, Patient engagement
Caulley, Lisa MD PhD FRCSC	Associate Scientist (ACR)	Cancer, Head and neck cancer	Clinical research, Epidemiology, Health economics, Journalology, Public health
Clemons, Mark MB BS, BMedSci, MSc, MD, FRCP, FRCPC	Scientist (CR)	Breast cancer, Cancer	Basic research, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Health research methods, Knowledge translation and implementation research
Cook, David PhD	Scientist (CR)	Cancer, Ovarian cancer	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Imaging, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, RNA sequencing, Systems biology, Translational research
Crawley, Angela Ph.D.	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Cancer, COVID-19, Hepatitis C, HIV, Infectious disease, Liver cancer, Liver disease	Basic research, Cancer immunotherapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, RNA sequencing, Translational research
Dennis, Kristopher MD FRCPC PhD	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer, Liver cancer, Pain, Pancreatic cancer	Behaviour, Biomarkers, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Health professional behaviour change, Health services research, Palliative care, Pragmatic trials, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews
Diallo, Jean-Simon PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, COVID-19, Infectious disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Fergusson, Dean PhD, MHA, FCAHS	Program Director and Senior Scientist (MIR)	Cancer, COVID-19, Kidney disease, Septic shock, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Clinical trials, Health services research, Health technology, Patient engagement, Pragmatic trials, Surveys, Translational research, Biostatistics, Clinical research, Cluster randomized trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Health research methods, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews, Transfusions
Gilbert, Sebastien MD FRCSC	Clinician Investigator (ACR)	Cancer, Gastric cancer, Gastrointestinal disease, Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), Lung cancer, Lung disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Clinical research, Epidemiology, Health technology, Patient safety, Quality Improvement, Surgery
Gray, Douglas PhD	Senior Scientist Emeritus (CR)	Aging, Cancer, Lung cancer, Parkinson's	Basic research, Disease models, Genomics, Imaging, Transgenic/knockout models, Genetics, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology
Hutton, Brian MSc, PhD	Senior Scientist (MIR)	Addiction, Anxiety, Breast cancer, Depression, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Maternal and fetal health, Mental health, Population health, Suicide, Cancer	Clinical research, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Patient safety, Public health, Rapid reviews, Biostatistics, Clinical trials, Systematic reviews
Islam, Shahidul MD, PhD, FRCPC, FCAP	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Cancer, Endometrial cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, Thyroid cancer
Ito, Caryn PhD	Senior Investigator (RM)	Blood cancer, Cancer	Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Drug development, Epigenetics, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology, Translational research
Kekre, Natasha BSc, MD, MPH, FRCPC	Scientist (CR)	Blood cancer, Cancer	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Epidemiology, Immunotherapy, Patient engagement, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Klein, Ran PhD	Clinician Investigator (MIR)	Cancer, Heart disease, Kidney disease, Lung disease, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, Clinical decision rules, Health technology, Imaging
Lavallee, Luke MDCM, MSc, FRCSC	Scientist (ACR)	Cancer, Kidney disease, Population health, Prostate cancer	Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health professional behaviour change, Imaging, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Patient decision aids, Quality Improvement, Surgery, Systematic reviews
Liu, Johné PhD	Senior Scientist (ICD)	Aging, Cancer, Infertility, Maternal and fetal health, Pregnancy, Women's health	Basic research, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Disease models, Drug development, Translational research
Lorimer, Ian PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cell therapy, Disease models, Molecular and cellular biology, Translational research
Manuel, Douglas MD, MSc, FRCPC	Senior Scientist (MIR)	Aging, Alzheimer's, Cancer, COVID-19, Dementia, Diabetes, Frailty, Global health, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Health in older peoples, Immigrant and refugee health, Infectious disease, Obesity, Parkinson's, Population health, Stroke, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Digital and mobile health, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Health services research, Prevention, Public health
McBurney, Michael PhD	Program Director and Senior Scientist Emeritus (CR)	Aging, Diabetes, Cancer	Molecular and cellular biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Basic research
McInnes, Matthew MD PhD FRCPC	Scientist (MIR)	Cancer, Liver cancer	Clinical research, Epidemiology, Health research methods, Imaging, Journalology, Systematic reviews
Morgan, Scott MD, MSc, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Bladder cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Prostate cancer	Biomarkers, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Imaging, Systematic reviews
Nessim, Carolyn MD, MSc, FRCSC, FACS	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer, Gastrointestinal disease, Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), Soft tissue sarcoma, Skin cancer	Biomarkers, Clinical trials, Gene expression, Immunotherapy, Surgery, Translational research, Viral therapy, Clinical research, Immunotherapy
Parks, Robin Ph.D.	Senior Scientist (RM)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Cancer, Muscular dystrophy, Neuromuscular disease	Gene therapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Viral therapy
Perkins, Theodore PhD	Senior Scientist (RM)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Cancer, Muscular dystrophy, Musculoskeletal conditions, Neuromuscular disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genetics, Genomics, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology, Translational research
Poulin, Patricia C. Psych.	Associate Scientist (NS)	Addiction, Anxiety, Cancer, Chronic pain, Depression, Health equity, Musculoskeletal conditions, Pain	Anesthesiology, Behaviour, Biomarkers, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Emergency medicine, Epidemiology, Health professional behaviour change, Health services research, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Palliative care, Patient decision aids, Patient safety, Peri-operative medicine, Pragmatic trials, Psychology, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews
Quizi, Jennifer PhD	Investigator (CR)	Cancer, Infectious disease	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Santos, Marlise MD (FRCPC), MSc, MPH	Clinician Investigator (NS)	Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Ataxia, Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer, Concussion, Dementia, Depression, Global health, Head and neck cancer, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Intellectual disabilities, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Population health, Sickle cell anemia, Spinal cord injury, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Traumatic brain injury, Traumatic injuries, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Behaviour, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health research methods, Health services research, Health technology, Imaging, Patient safety, Pragmatic trials, Prevention, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Shared decision making, Surgery, Surveys, Systematic reviews
Seely, Jean MDCM, FRCPC	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Breast cancer, Cancer, Health equity, Population health, Women's health	Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Health technology, Imaging, Patient engagement, Public health, Quality Improvement, Surgery
Shaw, Joseph MD MSc FRCPC DRCPSC	Associate Scientist (ICD)	Cancer, Thrombosis / thromboembolism	Biomarkers, Clinical research, Epidemiology, Peri-operative medicine, Pharmacology
Srikanthan, Amirrtha MD, MHSc, FRCPC, DRCPSC (AYA Oncology)	Clinician Investigator (CR)	Breast cancer, Cancer, Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), Soft tissue sarcoma	Clinical research, Health promotion, Patient engagement, Surveys
Stanford, William PhD	Senior Scientist (RM)	Aging, Blood cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Lung cancer, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology
Thavorn, Kednapa BPharm, MPharm, PhD	Senior Scientist (MIR)	Cancer, COVID-19, Diabetes, Gastrointestinal disease, Glaucoma, Global health, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Health in older peoples, HIV, Immigrant and refugee health, Population health, Septic shock, Stroke, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Vision	Clinical research, Cohort studies, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health research methods, Health services research, Knowledge translation and implementation research, Patient engagement, Pharmacy, Public health, Quality Improvement, Systematic reviews
Thornhill, Rebecca PhD	Clinician Investigator (MIR)	Cancer, Heart disease, Stroke, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, Imaging, Patient safety
Tsai, Eve MD, PhD, FRCSC, CIP	Scientist (NS)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Cancer, Spinal cord injury	Biomaterials, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Imaging, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Tsang, Corey BScPhm, Pharm.D, ACPR, RPh	Clinician Investigator (ACR)	Cancer	Pharmacy
Vanderhyden, Barbara PhD	Senior Scientist (CR)	Cancer, Infertility, Ovarian cancer, Women's health	Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Disease models, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Immunotherapy, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Stem cells, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research, Viral therapy
Wang, Xiang Pharm.D, MSc, ACPR	Clinician Investigator (ICD)	Cancer, Heart disease, Population health, Stroke, Thrombosis / thromboembolism	Health services research
Woulfe, John PhD, MD	Associate Scientist (NS)	Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer, Parkinson's	Basic research, Clinical research, Translational research

Clinical Trials

The following list of clinical trials is pulled from ClinicalTrials.gov using the search terms "Cancer” and “Ottawa Hospital.” More advanced search options are available. If you find a clinical trial that interests you, you can bring the information to the next appointment with your care team and ask if you are eligible for the study. If so, they may be able to refer you to the study team. Visit ohri.ca/patients to learn more about participating in research and clinical trials.

Note that ClinicalTrials.gov is hosted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and is only available in English. Please note that we cannot guarantee a response from the person listed in the ‘Contact’ column.

Publications

The following research publications are pulled from PubMed using the search terms "Cancer" and "Ottawa Hospital", with publication date of 2020 or later. More advanced search options are available. Note that PubMed is hosted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and is only available in English.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) related oropharyngeal cancers in Canada: A multicenter retrospective cohort study.
2025-12-01

Safety and efficacy of combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation in patients with colorectal liver metastases (DRAGON1): a multicentre, single-arm clinical trial.
2025-06-01

Opioid therapy vs. Multimodal analgesia in head and neck cancer (OPTIMAL-HN): Results of a randomized clinical trial.
2025-05-01

Examining the Impact of Biopsy Technique on Clinical and Pathologic Outcomes in Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans: An International, Multi-Institutional Study.
2025-05-01

Immunotherapy for Early-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Practical Guide of Current Controversies.
2025-05-01

Reply: Validation of Prognostic Models for Renal Cell Carcinoma Recurrence, Cancer Specific Mortality, and All-Cause Mortality.
2025-05-01

Is there a minimum percentage of sarcomatoid component required to affect outcomes of localised renal cell carcinoma?
2025-05-01

Maintenance olaparib monotherapy in patients with platinum-sensitive relapsed ovarian cancer without a germline BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation: Final overall survival results from the OPINION trial.
2025-04-28

Long-term outcomes of radiotherapy and impact of nodal disease burden in clinically node-positive prostate cancer.
2025-04-23

Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Lung Cancer.
2025-04-17

View more on PubMed