St. Joe’s has been a leader in urologic oncology research for many years, with a large focus on conducting clinical trials to find new treatments for kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers. In addition, our surgeons have pioneered the use of state-of-the-art surgical robotics, which have helped make procedures safer, less invasive, and more effective.
We are also leaders in translational research – the bench-to-bedside approach – that connects laboratory scientists with clinical teams, all within the walls of our hospital. To facilitate the growth of this research at St. Joe’s, we have formed a new urological oncology research centre.
Earlier this year in the Research Institute’s 2018 Annual Report, we announced the outstanding efforts of two philanthropists. We sincerely thank Mr. John Ribson and Mr. Jim Bullock, who have each made significant contributions towards this new research centre. Their generosity has helped propel our vision forward.
Dr. Kapoor speaking at the announcement of Mr. Ribson's generous contribution to the UCCRI.
I am pleased to announce that we have officially named our new centre the Urologic Cancer Centre for Research & Innovation (UCCRI). Our primary areas of focus are kidney, bladder, and prostate cancers, disease management and diagnosis, as well as disease prevention and suppression.
St. Joe’s has some of the highest urology patient volumes in the region. When combined with our existing clinical and laboratory expertise, we are primed to maximize urologic research opportunities with this patient population. The UCCRI will bring together St. Joe’s surgeons and scientists, along with a host of research staff, residents, fellows, and students. The centre will streamline research collaborations, allowing us to ask new questions and further the advancement of medicine.
We are also eager to share a series of ongoing communications for our patient and physician communities. Several other research centres at St. Joe’s, including the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research, have seen tremendous success with their public communications. The UCCRI is no exception – we are planning to host a community outreach and education event later this year. We are also developing a host of print and web materials that will help educate patients and physicians on topics related to their diagnosis, the latest in innovative treatments, clinical trials, and advancements in the science of urologic oncology.
One of the featured articles in this issue of Innovator discusses the recent grant that was awarded to my colleague and collaborator, Dr. Damu Tang, by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr. Tang is a St. Joe’s researcher working in the fields of cell biology and oncology. In this exciting three-year project, researchers at the UCCRI, working with collaborators at the University of Guelph, will try to reduce the aggressiveness of a subset of prostate cancers.
The need for collaboration to propel scientific discovery has never been greater than it is today. With the establishment of the UCCRI, we have embarked on a critical phase in advancing kidney, bladder, and prostate cancer research at St. Joe’s – one that will shape the future of urologic oncology.
On behalf of everyone at the UCCRI, I would like to thank all those who have helped turn our vision for the centre into a reality.
Dr. Anil Kapoor, MD, FRCSC
Director, Urologic Cancer Centre for Research & Innovation
Lead, Genitourinary Research Program, The Research Institute of St. Joe’s
Professor, Department of Surgery (Urology) and Oncology, McMaster University
Check out Innovator 2019 - Spring Edition