Overview
Today, there are over 200 clinicians, scientists and trainees in London, Ontario providing cancer care and conducting innovative cancer research.
The Centre for Translational Cancer Research was established in October 2010 to engage and support citywide translational cancer research by linking researchers from multiple disciplines with academic clinicians as an important first step to address the complexity of cancer as a disease.
The partnership of Western University, London Health Sciences Centre’s London Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research Institute and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Department of Oncology is intended to accelerate the translation of knowledge to clinical practice by providing an academic framework that spans existing academic units and institutions. The goal of the Centre for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR) is to support bi-directional interdisciplinary translational cancer research.
London has now become recognized nationally and internationally for its successes in translational cancer research - successes achievable as a result of it's integrated and interdisciplinary approach. With the availability of citywide state of the art facilities that enable technologic developments and accelerate the pace of discovery, the London cancer research community is positioned to advance translational research; the bi-directional movement of knowledge from basic discovery in the laboratory to the clinic in order to benefit patients with cancer.
Translational cancer research teams of scientists, oncologists, surgeons, medical imagers, pathologists and research personnel are actively engaged in groundbreaking research. These teams draw on the unique expertise of all the individuals involved and speeds the flow of knowledge between the clinic and the laboratory in order to accelerate innovation in cancer care. Our vision is to further expand translational research efforts, building on the successes of established translational research teams.
These pioneering translational cancer research teams continue to provide a platform of proven expertise that will continue to enhance opportunities to establish new research capability aligned with newly formed cancer disease sites teams such as Gastrointestinal and Pancreatic. The Centre for Translational Cancer Research allows the facilitation of knowledge transfer between teams to pursue research pertaining to major treatment goals such as early detection, prevention, novel therapies or technology platforms with potential for patient application.
Our vision also includes an increased focus on sharing research findings with regional partners, including family physicians and community hospitals, with the hope of ensuring that cancer patients throughout Southwestern Ontario receive highest quality of care regardless of where they live.
