Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
@pmresearch-uhn.bsky.social
The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre is Canada’s largest integrated cancer research, teaching, and treatment centre, one of the top cancer research centres in the world and is one of the University Health Network’s six research institutes.
From leading photodynamic therapy to innovating fluorescence-guided surgery, our Senior Scientist Dr. Brian Wilson @uhn.ca @uhnresearch.ca and his visionary work has shaped the global landscape of biophotonics.
Read more in @spie.org's special issue: doi.org/10.1117/1.JB...
Read more in @spie.org's special issue: doi.org/10.1117/1.JB...
November 14, 2025 at 4:49 PM
From leading photodynamic therapy to innovating fluorescence-guided surgery, our Senior Scientist Dr. Brian Wilson @uhn.ca @uhnresearch.ca and his visionary work has shaped the global landscape of biophotonics.
Read more in @spie.org's special issue: doi.org/10.1117/1.JB...
Read more in @spie.org's special issue: doi.org/10.1117/1.JB...
New study shows oral combo of enasidenib + venetoclax helps 62% of patients with IDH2 mutated, relapsed or refractory #AML achieve remission. Safe, effective, and outpatient-friendly. Led by our Drs. Steven Chan & Guillaume Richard-Carpentier.
@thelancethaem.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1016/S235...
@thelancethaem.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1016/S235...
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
New study shows oral combo of enasidenib + venetoclax helps 62% of patients with IDH2 mutated, relapsed or refractory #AML achieve remission. Safe, effective, and outpatient-friendly. Led by our Drs. Steven Chan & Guillaume Richard-Carpentier.
@thelancethaem.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1016/S235...
@thelancethaem.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1016/S235...
The Lancet Oncology Commission—co-led by our Dr. Gary Rodin @uhn.ca—calls for urgent action to address the human crisis in cancer care. Survival is improving, but psychological, social and cultural support must be core to care.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@uhnresearch.ca @thelancet.com
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@uhnresearch.ca @thelancet.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:59 PM
The Lancet Oncology Commission—co-led by our Dr. Gary Rodin @uhn.ca—calls for urgent action to address the human crisis in cancer care. Survival is improving, but psychological, social and cultural support must be core to care.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@uhnresearch.ca @thelancet.com
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@uhnresearch.ca @thelancet.com
🏆 We were honoured to welcome guests from @clarivateag.bsky.social to @uhn.ca's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for a special award ceremony recognizing Dr. John Dick as a 2025 Clarivate Citation Laureate for his pioneering work in #leukemia stem cell research.
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uhn-sci...
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uhn-sci...
October 31, 2025 at 3:32 PM
🏆 We were honoured to welcome guests from @clarivateag.bsky.social to @uhn.ca's Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for a special award ceremony recognizing Dr. John Dick as a 2025 Clarivate Citation Laureate for his pioneering work in #leukemia stem cell research.
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uhn-sci...
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uhn-sci...
A team led by Dr. Benjamin Lok has found a new target to enhance radiation therapy in small cell lung cancer. By removing the function of gene HDAC3, cancer cells became more sensitive to radiation and tumour growth was inhibited:
aacrjournals.org/mct/article/...;
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/increas...
aacrjournals.org/mct/article/...;
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/increas...
October 22, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A team led by Dr. Benjamin Lok has found a new target to enhance radiation therapy in small cell lung cancer. By removing the function of gene HDAC3, cancer cells became more sensitive to radiation and tumour growth was inhibited:
aacrjournals.org/mct/article/...;
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/increas...
aacrjournals.org/mct/article/...;
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/increas...
“I’m very excited by this new frontier where imaging can play a key role in improving our understanding of tumour biology. This type of work has never been done before,” said Dr. DaCosta on visualizing the interaction between leukemia cells and immune cells.
www.uhnresearch.ca/n...
www.uhnresearch.ca/n...
October 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
“I’m very excited by this new frontier where imaging can play a key role in improving our understanding of tumour biology. This type of work has never been done before,” said Dr. DaCosta on visualizing the interaction between leukemia cells and immune cells.
www.uhnresearch.ca/n...
www.uhnresearch.ca/n...
A pivotal moment in global cancer research collaboration 🔬
We recently hosted the inaugural C8 Symposium, uniting top scientists from 8 global institutes to tackle cancer’s toughest challenges through collaboration & innovation.
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uniting...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
We recently hosted the inaugural C8 Symposium, uniting top scientists from 8 global institutes to tackle cancer’s toughest challenges through collaboration & innovation.
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uniting...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
October 1, 2025 at 2:24 PM
A pivotal moment in global cancer research collaboration 🔬
We recently hosted the inaugural C8 Symposium, uniting top scientists from 8 global institutes to tackle cancer’s toughest challenges through collaboration & innovation.
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uniting...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
We recently hosted the inaugural C8 Symposium, uniting top scientists from 8 global institutes to tackle cancer’s toughest challenges through collaboration & innovation.
www.uhnresearch.ca/news/uniting...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
🔬 New study from Dr. Alex Vitkin's team shows that adding high-res optical imaging helps explain and inform low-res MRI signals. This enables quantification of important microvascular details in tumours for more precise clinical cancer imaging.
ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/doc...
@uhnresearch.ca
ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/doc...
@uhnresearch.ca
September 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
🔬 New study from Dr. Alex Vitkin's team shows that adding high-res optical imaging helps explain and inform low-res MRI signals. This enables quantification of important microvascular details in tumours for more precise clinical cancer imaging.
ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/doc...
@uhnresearch.ca
ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/doc...
@uhnresearch.ca
🎉 Newsweek has ranked UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as Canada’s #1 cancer hospital and among the top 10 globally in its 2026 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals list!
Thank you to our teams and patients — your dedication and trust makes this possible.
rankings.newsweek.com/worlds-best-...
Thank you to our teams and patients — your dedication and trust makes this possible.
rankings.newsweek.com/worlds-best-...
September 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🎉 Newsweek has ranked UHN’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre as Canada’s #1 cancer hospital and among the top 10 globally in its 2026 World’s Best Specialized Hospitals list!
Thank you to our teams and patients — your dedication and trust makes this possible.
rankings.newsweek.com/worlds-best-...
Thank you to our teams and patients — your dedication and trust makes this possible.
rankings.newsweek.com/worlds-best-...
In pancreatic cancer, time is critical. A North American trial, led by our Dr. Jennifer Knox, shows that upfront molecular profiling may be key to seize the first-line treatment window, when the current options remain disappointing to patients.
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
September 10, 2025 at 8:43 PM
In pancreatic cancer, time is critical. A North American trial, led by our Dr. Jennifer Knox, shows that upfront molecular profiling may be key to seize the first-line treatment window, when the current options remain disappointing to patients.
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
Our study found that, in early-stage lung cancer, smoking status can have a greater impact on survival outcomes than some traditional staging factors, led by our Clinician Investigator Dr. Lawson Eng and an international team of researchers.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
September 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Our study found that, in early-stage lung cancer, smoking status can have a greater impact on survival outcomes than some traditional staging factors, led by our Clinician Investigator Dr. Lawson Eng and an international team of researchers.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
Congratulations to our Senior Scientists Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith and Dr. John Dick for receiving the Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research from Canadian Cancer Society!
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
cancer.ca/en/research/...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
cancer.ca/en/research/...
August 28, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Congratulations to our Senior Scientists Dr. Cheryl Arrowsmith and Dr. John Dick for receiving the Awards for Excellence in Cancer Research from Canadian Cancer Society!
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
cancer.ca/en/research/...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
cancer.ca/en/research/...
Active surveillance may be a safe choice over immediate surgery for older patients with small, low-risk thyroid cancer. Only 24% needed surgery after 6 years, discovered in a collaborative study among Toronto hospitals @uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca:
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
August 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Active surveillance may be a safe choice over immediate surgery for older patients with small, low-risk thyroid cancer. Only 24% needed surgery after 6 years, discovered in a collaborative study among Toronto hospitals @uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca:
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Congratulations to our clinicians Dr. Laura Dawson and Dr. Natasha Leighl for being elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences as 2025 New Fellows🎉.
cahs-acss.ca/wp-content/u...
cahs-acss.ca/wp-content/u...
August 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Congratulations to our clinicians Dr. Laura Dawson and Dr. Natasha Leighl for being elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences as 2025 New Fellows🎉.
cahs-acss.ca/wp-content/u...
cahs-acss.ca/wp-content/u...
Researchers developed a new molecule that binds to DCAF1, a protein linked to cancer growth and viral infection, opening new doors for cancer and HIV treatments.
Developed by our Affiliate Scientist Dr. Levon Halabelian with the SGC & @oicr.on.ca.
doi.org/10.1038/s420...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
Developed by our Affiliate Scientist Dr. Levon Halabelian with the SGC & @oicr.on.ca.
doi.org/10.1038/s420...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
August 8, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Researchers developed a new molecule that binds to DCAF1, a protein linked to cancer growth and viral infection, opening new doors for cancer and HIV treatments.
Developed by our Affiliate Scientist Dr. Levon Halabelian with the SGC & @oicr.on.ca.
doi.org/10.1038/s420...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
Developed by our Affiliate Scientist Dr. Levon Halabelian with the SGC & @oicr.on.ca.
doi.org/10.1038/s420...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
🔬 New study found, in some head and neck cancers, losing one copy of the KEAP1 gene boosts NRF2 activity, which helps tumours become resistant to radiotherapy.
Led by our Senior Scientist Dr. David Kirsch.
Published in Cancer Clinical Research, @aacrjournals.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1158/1078...
Led by our Senior Scientist Dr. David Kirsch.
Published in Cancer Clinical Research, @aacrjournals.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1158/1078...
August 5, 2025 at 4:54 PM
🔬 New study found, in some head and neck cancers, losing one copy of the KEAP1 gene boosts NRF2 activity, which helps tumours become resistant to radiotherapy.
Led by our Senior Scientist Dr. David Kirsch.
Published in Cancer Clinical Research, @aacrjournals.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1158/1078...
Led by our Senior Scientist Dr. David Kirsch.
Published in Cancer Clinical Research, @aacrjournals.bsky.social:
doi.org/10.1158/1078...
🇨🇦🇦🇺 Thank you to @garvaninstitute.bsky.social for joining us at the Allan Slaight Breakthrough Forum! Scientists were brought together to tackle tumour complexity for translational impact. Together, we’re accelerating the path toward more precise and effective cancer care.💙
July 31, 2025 at 8:09 PM
🇨🇦🇦🇺 Thank you to @garvaninstitute.bsky.social for joining us at the Allan Slaight Breakthrough Forum! Scientists were brought together to tackle tumour complexity for translational impact. Together, we’re accelerating the path toward more precise and effective cancer care.💙
A real-world study validates the LSC17 score's ability to predict AML patient outcomes and identify high-risk patients who may benefit from more aggressive treatments, led by Drs. Jean Wang @uhn.ca, Tracy Murphy & Stanley Ng.
doi.org/10.3324/haem...
@uhnresearch.ca
doi.org/10.3324/haem...
@uhnresearch.ca
July 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
A real-world study validates the LSC17 score's ability to predict AML patient outcomes and identify high-risk patients who may benefit from more aggressive treatments, led by Drs. Jean Wang @uhn.ca, Tracy Murphy & Stanley Ng.
doi.org/10.3324/haem...
@uhnresearch.ca
doi.org/10.3324/haem...
@uhnresearch.ca
Congratulations to all those honored at the 14th Annual PM Research Retreat! The theme for 2025 was "It takes two to think", aiming to build collaborations among scientists and clinicians.
Check out our 2025 research awardees and Papers of the Year here: www.uhn.ca/corporate/Ne...
Check out our 2025 research awardees and Papers of the Year here: www.uhn.ca/corporate/Ne...
July 2, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Congratulations to all those honored at the 14th Annual PM Research Retreat! The theme for 2025 was "It takes two to think", aiming to build collaborations among scientists and clinicians.
Check out our 2025 research awardees and Papers of the Year here: www.uhn.ca/corporate/Ne...
Check out our 2025 research awardees and Papers of the Year here: www.uhn.ca/corporate/Ne...
A switch between blood cancers🩸
Study found “multipotent” cancer cells can switch cell lineages, leading to a higher risk of drug resistance and worse outcomes. A discovery led by our Senior Scientist Dr. John Dick & Dr. Charles Mullighan at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Study found “multipotent” cancer cells can switch cell lineages, leading to a higher risk of drug resistance and worse outcomes. A discovery led by our Senior Scientist Dr. John Dick & Dr. Charles Mullighan at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
June 27, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A switch between blood cancers🩸
Study found “multipotent” cancer cells can switch cell lineages, leading to a higher risk of drug resistance and worse outcomes. A discovery led by our Senior Scientist Dr. John Dick & Dr. Charles Mullighan at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Study found “multipotent” cancer cells can switch cell lineages, leading to a higher risk of drug resistance and worse outcomes. A discovery led by our Senior Scientist Dr. John Dick & Dr. Charles Mullighan at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
🔬 New strategy to boost immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Combining PARP inhibitors + radiotherapy activates immune pathways & boosts T cell-attracting chemokines, discovered by Dr. Ben Lok’s team at @uhn.ca.
Read in Nature Communications: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Read in Nature Communications: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
🔬 New strategy to boost immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Combining PARP inhibitors + radiotherapy activates immune pathways & boosts T cell-attracting chemokines, discovered by Dr. Ben Lok’s team at @uhn.ca.
Read in Nature Communications: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Read in Nature Communications: www.nature.com/articles/s41...
📊A study led by our Senior Scientist Dr. Ming Sound Tsao confirms the 9th edition TNM staging system is valid for high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas, including new N2 & M1c subcategories.
A step forward in accurate prognosis & care.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
A step forward in accurate prognosis & care.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
June 20, 2025 at 2:05 PM
📊A study led by our Senior Scientist Dr. Ming Sound Tsao confirms the 9th edition TNM staging system is valid for high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas, including new N2 & M1c subcategories.
A step forward in accurate prognosis & care.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
A step forward in accurate prognosis & care.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jt...
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
🔍 Cancer Cells Relay Messages to Coordinate the Spread
CellNEST, an AI-powered tool developed by Dr. Gregory Schwartz's team @uhn.ca, found that cancer cells relay messages in a "two-hop" fashion, fuelling the progression of #PancreaticCancer.
In Nature Methods:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
CellNEST, an AI-powered tool developed by Dr. Gregory Schwartz's team @uhn.ca, found that cancer cells relay messages in a "two-hop" fashion, fuelling the progression of #PancreaticCancer.
In Nature Methods:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
June 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
🔍 Cancer Cells Relay Messages to Coordinate the Spread
CellNEST, an AI-powered tool developed by Dr. Gregory Schwartz's team @uhn.ca, found that cancer cells relay messages in a "two-hop" fashion, fuelling the progression of #PancreaticCancer.
In Nature Methods:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
CellNEST, an AI-powered tool developed by Dr. Gregory Schwartz's team @uhn.ca, found that cancer cells relay messages in a "two-hop" fashion, fuelling the progression of #PancreaticCancer.
In Nature Methods:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Rethinking Novel Therapy Use in End-of-Life Cancer Care
Research from @zimmteamlab.bsky.social @uhn.ca reports a rising use of systemic anticancer therapies at the end of life—primarily driven by cancer immunotherapy. This trend raises important concerns.
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
@uhnresearch.ca
Research from @zimmteamlab.bsky.social @uhn.ca reports a rising use of systemic anticancer therapies at the end of life—primarily driven by cancer immunotherapy. This trend raises important concerns.
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
@uhnresearch.ca
June 11, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Rethinking Novel Therapy Use in End-of-Life Cancer Care
Research from @zimmteamlab.bsky.social @uhn.ca reports a rising use of systemic anticancer therapies at the end of life—primarily driven by cancer immunotherapy. This trend raises important concerns.
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
@uhnresearch.ca
Research from @zimmteamlab.bsky.social @uhn.ca reports a rising use of systemic anticancer therapies at the end of life—primarily driven by cancer immunotherapy. This trend raises important concerns.
doi.org/10.1200/JCO-...
@uhnresearch.ca
Immune Cells Speak the Brain’s Language
In a groundbreaking series of studies, our scientists have uncovered the intricate crosstalk between immune system and nervous system—impacting the development of cancer, autoimmune diseases, tissue regeneration and skin health.
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
In a groundbreaking series of studies, our scientists have uncovered the intricate crosstalk between immune system and nervous system—impacting the development of cancer, autoimmune diseases, tissue regeneration and skin health.
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
June 9, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Immune Cells Speak the Brain’s Language
In a groundbreaking series of studies, our scientists have uncovered the intricate crosstalk between immune system and nervous system—impacting the development of cancer, autoimmune diseases, tissue regeneration and skin health.
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca
In a groundbreaking series of studies, our scientists have uncovered the intricate crosstalk between immune system and nervous system—impacting the development of cancer, autoimmune diseases, tissue regeneration and skin health.
@uhnresearch.ca @uhn.ca