Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved was in Ottawa at the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network funding announcement. (Courtesy of Dora Cavallo-Medved/University of Windsor)
By Sara Elliott
Cancer patients in Windsor-Essex could benefit from more personalized treatment options through a partnership connecting University of Windsor researchers and local clinicians with a national cancer research network.
The University of Windsor and Windsor Regional Hospital have partnered to establish Canada's first community hospital-based site in the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network (MOHCCN), an initiative aimed at advancing cancer research and improving patient care across the country.
The national network is entering its second phase as it expands its precision oncology research with an $80-million federal investment announced Sept. 24. Matching contributions from the Terry Fox Foundation and participating institutions has brought the total investment to over $200 million.
“If we're going to advance cancer research and precision oncology so that it is accessible to all cancer patients across Canada, we need to build it in communities like Windsor-Essex, where most patients are receiving treatment,” says Dora Cavallo-Medved, director of WE-SPARK Health Institute and faculty member in UWindsor’s Department of Biomedical Sciences who spoke at the funding announcement in Ottawa.
“This is the network’s vision: advancing cancer research around precision oncology that is shared through a national platform to help clinicians treat patients – this is the future, and it’s a Team Canada approach.”
Precision oncology uses information about the genetic and biological makeup of a patient's cancer to help doctors select treatments tailored to the individual.
Access to precision oncology remains limited for many Canadians. By joining the network, Windsor-Essex researchers and clinicians will have new opportunities to participate in national research collaborations and potentially expand access to clinical trials.
“Over time, this work will help more patients benefit from advances in cancer care closer to home,” says Cavallo-Medved.
As a network member, UWindsor is eligible to apply for research funding to support collaborative projects.
As leader of the Terry Fox Research Institute’s Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network’s patient working group, Dr. Dora Cavallo-Medved joined key individuals at the funding announcement. (Courtesy of Dora Cavallo-Medved/University of Windsor)
Lisa Porter, a professor in UWindsor's Department of Biomedical Sciences, and Caroline Hamm, a medical oncologist at Windsor Regional Hospital, are already leading the first collaborative precision oncology project in Windsor-Essex. Both are core principal members of WE-SPARK Health Institute.
Shanthi Johnson, UWindsor's vice-president, research and innovation, says the partnership underscores Windsor-Essex's growing contribution to cancer research.
“The University of Windsor is proud to support outstanding research leaders such as Dr. Porter and Dr. Hamm, whose work is helping shape the future of cancer research and precision oncology,” says Johnson.
“This investment also creates new opportunities for our students and trainees to participate in high-impact research and develop the skills needed to tackle tomorrow’s health challenges.”
As part of the project, tumour samples from participating Windsor-Essex patients undergo comprehensive genomic analysis. In the future, results will be shared with their treating physicians to help inform treatment decisions based on the genetic characteristics of each patient's cancer.
The genomic data will also contribute to a national research database shared among network members, supporting collaborative studies and future advances in cancer care.
Cavallo-Medved, who also leads the network's patient working group, attended the announcement in Ottawa to bring patients' perspectives to the national conversation.
UWindsor and Windsor Regional Hospital are partners in WE-SPARK Health Institute, which brings together regional researchers, health-care providers and institutions to advance collaborative health research.
“Through the collective efforts of researchers, clinicians, healthcare partners and patients, Windsor-Essex is helping advance precision oncology while ensuring our community contributes to and benefits from a national research network,” says Cavallo-Medved.
The Windsor-Essex research efforts within the network are also supported by the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, Transition to Betterness and the Cancer Research Collaboration Fund.
The network's work also carries forward Terry Fox's vision of advancing cancer research for all Canadians. “Creating this national network is taking Terry’s dream and making it a reality,” says Cavallo-Medved.
To learn more about the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network, a free public seminar will be delivered by Dr. Jim Woodgett, President and Scientific Director of the Terry Fox Research Institute, on Friday, Oct. 30 from 1-2 pm at UWindsor in Toldo Rm. 200. Visit the WE-SPARK website to register for the event.
Dr. Woodgett will also be joining the screening of the documentary, Run Terry Run, which offers an unprecedented look at Canadian hero Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope, at the Windsor International Film Festival on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31.