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How OICR is helping people today and ensuring a healthier future
A person living with cancer may be focused on today, and the joys or struggles they are experiencing right now. But questions about tomorrow, and what may come next, are never far from mind.
That’s why the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) approaches cancer research with both the present and future clearly in our sights.
Our innovations in detecting, diagnosing and treating cancer are designed to make an impact as soon as possible, giving people today the best chance at living longer and living better. At the same time, our new discoveries and initiatives are paving the way for the next life-changing breakthroughs that will help others face the challenges of tomorrow.
This report showcases the broad-ranging impacts made by OICR-affiliated scientists, clinicians and patient partners over the past year – what they mean for now and what they mean for the future. It shows how our collective efforts, as Ontario’s cancer research institute, are delivering on our commitment to improve the lives of people today, as well as future generations.
Solutions delivered
Whether studying why cancer develops, how to detect it earlier, or the best ways to treat it, OICR is focused on solving the biggest challenges in cancer.
Our innovative solutions from the past year are helping people with cancer today through groundbreaking clinical trials, and improvements to how Ontarians are screened for cancer. They are also laying the foundation for the next generation of treatments that harness our bodies’ strengths as well as cancer’s vulnerabilities.
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Blood test detects tumours early in families with cancer
A clinical trial is bringing much needed improved screening for hereditary cancers and its use of liquid biopsies could one day change screening for all types of cancer. Read more
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“Dream team” science helps move Ontario ahead of the curve on hard-to-treat cancers
Four teams of top-flight researchers made significant advances in understanding ovarian, brain, pancreatic and blood cancers while a fifth team tapped in the enormous potential of immunotherapy. Their discoveries are now helping those living with cancer in Ontario.
Women in Ontario can access screening younger thanks in part to OICR research
Dr. Martin Yaffe has for years been advocating for the age of eligibility for breast cancer screening to be lowered. Now, thanks in part to his research, women in Ontario can access screening at a younger age – a change that he expects will save many lives.
SOLUTIONS DELIVERED NEXT
Fecal transplants bolster melanoma treatment in unique clinical trial
A clinical trial has established a link between a patient’s gut health and the efficacy of immunotherapy, providing a potential pathway to boosting the cancer-killing power of this form of therapy.
Brain-permeating compounds making inroads in rare childhood cancer
OICR's Drug Discovery Program has developed a group of promising potential drugs that target a vulnerability in a rare but aggressive form of pediatric brain cancer that is fatal in 98 per cent of children diagnosed with the disease.
OICR supports cancer research in Toronto and in 18 communities across Ontario
72 patient partners contributed to OICR research projects (23-24)
628 students were hosted by
OICR-funded projects (23-24)
OICR-supported researchers contributed to 680 publications in 2023-24, which have already been cited more than 2,686 times, more than 2 times the world average
3,400+ patients have been recruited to 122 OICR-supported clinical trials (23-24)
650+ educational events supported by OICR to share knowledge and provide training (23-24)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion was considered in all OICR research project proposals (23-24)
Technology in action
Harnessing technological advances keeps Ontario on the cutting edge of cancer innovations, and can make cancer care easier on patients, more efficient and more effective.
OICR is at the forefront of new technologies, including innovative diagnostics to detect and monitor cancer as well as artificial intelligence and data management software, creating and leveraging tools that unlock better ways to better diagnose and treat cancer now and into the future.
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Using AI to connect cancer patients with cutting-edge clinical trials
Clinical trials can be the best way to test new cancer technologies and treatments and can give patients access to potentially life-saving innovations, but finding the right trial can be inefficient and time-consuming. A new AI tool is changing that. Read more
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Building a bridge between data and discovery
Genomic, clinical and other data contain the answers to some of the biggest questions in cancer, but using these types of Big Data presents challenges. New software developed at OICR is making data more accessible and easier to use for researchers.
How AI can help diagnose cancers that are otherwise hard to spot
OICR-supported researchers across Ontario have developed AI technologies that can spot cancer more quickly and just as accurately as an expert can. These innovations are allowing clinicians to diagnose cancer earlier when it is easier to treat.
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Massive data sharing effort will drive future of personalized medicine
A new initiative is uniting Canada’s genomic databases to provide researchers more of the data they need to make the next big leaps in precision medicine for diseases such as cancer. OICR researchers are bringing the institute’s unique capabilities to the effort by leading key elements of its development.
AI helps find new leads for brain cancer drug discovery
Using AI, researchers analyzed 9,000 tumour samples from 33 types of cancer and found 400 proteins that could potentially be targeted by drugs to treat cancer, including two with significant promise for treating brain cancer. These developments in AI drug discovery are are laying the groundwork for faster discovery of new treatments.
OICR collaborates with people at 660+ organizations from 50 countries around the world.
ACCESS TO DISCOVERIES
Improving the lives of Ontarians depends on homegrown innovations and the people behind them.
As Ontario’s cancer research institute, OICR unites diverse groups of people to solve cancer together. Whether their expertise is in biology, chemistry, computing, or they have first-hand experience with cancer, OICR ensures they have a place to succeed.
This past year, the OICR community worked to identify and overcome current barriers that prevent some people from accessing new cancer interventions, while also making research more inclusive, so that future innovations reflect the needs and diversity of the entire Ontario population.
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Landmark trial brings genomic testing to thousands of Ontarians with cancer
An OICR-supported clinical trial provided 4,300 Ontarians with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), which helped many find personalized treatments for their cancer. The trial also bolstered the capacity of hospitals across Ontario to perform this type of testing, which help will enable the future of personalized medicine.
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Patient partner driven to make cancer care more inclusive
Michelle Audoin, a member of OICR’s Patient and Family Advisory Council, is working to make sure that other Black and racialized women see themselves represented in the information they receive to make the best choices about their care.
Student researcher collaborating with Indigenous community to improve cancer screening
Undergraduate student Jason Pomfret spent a summer contributing to a research project that aims to revamp communications materials for cancer screening programs in the Sioux Lookout First Nation. His work was supported by the BioCanRx Indigenous Student Summer Internship Program, which is co-funded by OICR.
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Working with racialized communities to improve access to genetic testing
Genetic testing is one of the most powerful tools available for the early detection of cancer, allowing for treatment with the greatest chance of success. But some Ontarians in racialized communities face barriers in accessing this form of testing. Dr. Yvonne Bombard is working with these communities to identify the issues and find solutions for a more equitable future.
Paying it forward with a patient perspective
In many ways, everything went right with Carla Bossart-Pletzer’s breast cancer treatment, but knowing that that is not always the case for every woman she decided to make a difference. In part, she is doing that as a member of OICR’s Patient and Family Advisory Council.
A stronger Ontario
OICR’s commitment to making Ontario healthier is also strengthening the province as a whole.
Our support for talented young researchers from across Ontario is empowering the province’s next generation of leading scientists. Our work to build research capacity is giving them the tools they need to make transformative discoveries. And our work with FACIT and other partners to turn new discoveries into thriving Ontario biotech companies is fueling the province’s economy.
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OICR-supported cancer therapeutics company Fusion Pharmaceuticals acquired by AstraZeneca for up to $2.4B USD
A strong cancer research sector does more than improve lives, it also strengthens Ontario’s economy by creating companies and jobs and attracting investment. Fusion Pharma has shown just that, as the Hamilton-based company and its technologies were acquired by AstraZeneca in a major deal that is bolstering the province’s economy and helping generate the next generation of radiopharmaceuticals.
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Wave of medical imaging innovation hits shores of Lake Superior
Researchers in Thunder Bay have developed a state-of-the-art low-dose Positron Emission Mammography system that is five times faster and 10 times more sensitive than other scanners. Now, Thunder Bay-based Radialis Inc. is pushing this innovation into clinical use.
How the Ontario Cancer Research Ethics Board protects participants while streamlining research in the province
When a new drug or technology is ready to be tested with the participation of patients any proposed study must receive approval from a research ethics board (REB). But this can be a cumbersome and lengthy process. That’s why OCREB has centralized and streamlined this process, meaning that new cancer discoveries reach patients sooner.
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New tech could modernize recovery from gynecological cancers
Entrepreneur Rachel Bartholomew used her downtime while recovering from cervical cancer surgery to design Floora, a new patient-centred technology to help women recover from pelvic health problems caused by cancer and other conditions. Her Ontario-based, FACIT-supported company Hyivy Health is ready to make a difference in women’s health.
Newest OICR Investigator seeks to develop precision treatments for young people with high risk leukemia
As a staff physician at the Hospital for Sick Children, Dr. Grace Egan sees firsthand the need for better, more-targeted treatments for children, adolescents and young adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). As the recipient of an OICR Early-Career Investigator Award, she is focussed on developing personalized treatments for AML by uncovering the biology of the disease’s different subtypes.
With the support of OICR and FACIT, 35 start-ups have been created since inception. There are 848 employees at all active start-ups in our portfolio.
OICR-supported projects received follow-on funding from 80 partner organizations (23-24)
The total investments attracted to Ontario’s life sciences sector by FACIT’s portfolio of biotechnology start-ups reached $1.6 billion in 2024.
(Since inception)
26 new patent applications
4 new patents awarded
(23-24)