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Blood cancer

The Ottawa Hospital is conducting cutting-edge research to improve our understanding of blood cancer and develop better approaches for treatment and prevention. This page includes selected news stories about our blood cancer research, links to researchers working in this area and related resources. Learn more below.

Research News


Making CAR T Therapies More Accessible Making CAR T Therapies More Accessible
January 2, 2024 - “Our study shows there is room for CAR T therapy in the market. We further show that Canadian-made CAR T therapy could be cost-effective and has a much better chance of being funded than existing commercial CAR T therapies.”
A promising treatment for terminal cancer patients may be just the beginning A promising treatment for terminal cancer patients may be just the beginning
December 15, 2023 - Researchers in Ottawa and Vancouver are building a made-in-Canada network to treat patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other cancers
Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre, The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre, The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy
September 18, 2023 - The best part of Dr. Natasha Kekre’s workday is when she is able to offer hope to her patients through clinical trials. As The Ottawa Hospital’s new Research Chair in Advanced Stem Cell Therapy, Dr. Kekre is looking forward to many more hopeful conve
Show more news stories


Researchers


Name Scientific appointment Diseases, conditions and populations of interest Research and clinical approaches
Allan, David
MD FRCPC
Scientist
(CR)
Blood cancer, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease Cell therapy, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systematic reviews, Transfusions, Translational research, Transplantation
Ardolino, Michele
PhD
Senior Scientist
(CR)
Blood cancer, Brain cancer, Breast cancer, Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Head and neck cancer, Liver cancer, Lung cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Prostate cancer, Skin cancer, Soft tissue sarcoma Basic research, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Atkins, Harold
MD, FRCPC
Senior Clinician Investigator
(CR)
Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Cancer, Multiple sclerosis, Myasthenia gravis, Stiff person syndrome Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Immunotherapy, Oncolytic viruses, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Berardi, Philip
MD, PhD, FRCPC
Clinician Investigator
(CR)
Aging, Anemia, Bleeding disorders, Blood cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Health equity, Health in older peoples, Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia, Thrombosis / thromboembolism Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cell therapy, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genetics, Genomics, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Stem cells, Translational research
Brand, Marjorie
PhD
Senior Scientist Affiliate
(RM)
Blood cancer, Sickle cell anemia, Thalassemia, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Bioinformatics, Disease models, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Imaging, Model organisms, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Stem cells, Systems biology, Transgenic/knockout models
Bredeson, Christopher
MD MSc FRCPC
Senior Clinician Investigator
(CR)
Blood cancer Clinical research, Stem cells, Transplantation
Coutu, Daniel
PhD
Scientist
(RM)
Aging, Arthritis, Autoimmune disease, Bleeding disorders, Blood cancer, Bone and joint degeneration, Bone and joint injuries, Musculoskeletal conditions, Osteoporosis Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomaterials, Cell therapy, Gene expression, Gene therapy, Genetics, Genomics, Imaging, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Surgery, Systems biology, Transgenic/knockout models, Translational research
Ito, Caryn
PhD
Senior Investigator
(RM)
Blood cancer, Cancer Basic research, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Drug development, Epigenetics, Molecular and cellular biology, Proteomics, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology, Translational research
Kekre, Natasha
BSc, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Scientist
(CR)
Blood cancer, Cancer Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical trials, Epidemiology, Immunotherapy, Patient engagement, Stem cells, Translational research, Transplantation, Viral therapy
Lalu, Manoj
MD, PhD, FRCPC
Scientist
(ACR)
Blood cancer, COVID-19, Heart disease, Stroke, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease Anesthesiology, Basic research, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Disease models, Health research methods, Model organisms, Patient engagement, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Translational research
Nair, Vimoj
MBBS MD MSc FRCPC
Clinician Investigator
(CR)
Blood cancer, Brain cancer, Colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer, Liver cancer, Pancreatic cancer Artificial intelligence and data science, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Health technology, Imaging, Pragmatic trials, Quality Improvement, Translational research
Sabloff, Mitchell
MSc, MDCM, FRCPC
Clinician Investigator
(CR)
Blood cancer Biomarkers, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Translational research
Santos, Marlise
MD (FRCPC), MSc, MPH
Clinician Investigator
(NS)
Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Ataxia, Autoimmune disease, Autoimmune diseases of the nervous system, Blood cancer, Brain and neuromuscular disease, Brain cancer, Cancer, Concussion, Dementia, Depression, Global health, Head and neck cancer, Health equity, Health in disadvantaged peoples, Infectious disease, Intellectual disabilities, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, Population health, Sickle cell anemia, Spinal cord injury, Stroke, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Thrombosis / thromboembolism, Traumatic brain injury, Traumatic injuries, Vascular cognitive impairment, Vascular, heart and metabolic disease Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Behaviour, Biostatistics, Cancer biotherapeutics, Clinical decision rules, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Cohort studies, Critical care, Epidemiology, Health economics, Health research methods, Health services research, Health technology, Imaging, Patient safety, Pragmatic trials, Prevention, Public health, Qualitative methods, Quality Improvement, Shared decision making, Surgery, Surveys, Systematic reviews
Stanford, William
PhD
Senior Scientist
(RM)
Aging, Blood cancer, Cancer, COVID-19, Lung cancer, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), Vascular, heart and metabolic disease Artificial intelligence and data science, Molecular and cellular biology, Regenerative medicine, Stem cells, Systems biology




Clinical Trials

The following list of clinical trials is pulled from ClinicalTrials.gov using the search terms "(leukemia OR lymphoma OR myeloma OR myelodysplastic OR myeloproliferative)” and “Ottawa Hospital.” More advanced search options are available. If you find a clinical trial that interests you, you can bring the information to the next appointment with your care team and ask if you are eligible for the study. If so, they may be able to refer you to the study team. Visit ohri.ca/patients to learn more about participating in research and clinical trials.

Note that ClinicalTrials.gov is hosted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and is only available in English. Please note that we cannot guarantee a response from the person listed in the ‘Contact’ column.

NCTTitleConditionStatusContact
NCT05257083A Study of Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (DVRd) Followed by Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel Versus Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone (DVRd) Followed by Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NCT05257083)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 
NCT06136559A Study of Nemtabrutinib (MK-1026) Versus Comparator (Investigator's Choice of Ibrutinib or Acalabrutinib) in First Line (1L) Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)/ Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) (MK-1026-011/BELLWAVE-011) (NCT06136559)Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Small Lymphocytic LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT05650632A Study to Assess Adverse Events of Intravenously (IV) Infused ABBV-383 in Adult Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (NCT05650632)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 
NCT05827016A Study to Compare Iberdomide Maintenance Versus Lenalidomide Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NCT05827016)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 
NCT06084936A Study to Evaluate Glofitamab as a Single Agent vs. Investigator's Choice in Participants With Relapsed/Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma (NCT06084936)LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT05730036A Trial to Learn How Well Linvoseltamab Works Compared to the Combination of Elotuzumab, Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone for Adult Participants With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma (NCT05730036)Relapsed Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RRMM)RECRUITING 
NCT06047080An Open-Label Study Comparing Glofitamab and Polatuzumab Vedotin + Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone Versus Pola-R-CHP in Previously Untreated Patients With Large B-Cell Lymphoma (NCT06047080)Large B-Cell LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT03297606Canadian Profiling and Targeted Agent Utilization Trial (CAPTUR) (NCT03297606)Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin, Multiple Myeloma, Advanced Solid TumorsRECRUITING 
NCT03765177CLIC-1901 for the Treatment of Patients With Relapsed/Refractory CD19 Positive Hematologic Malignancies (NCT03765177)Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic LeukemiaRECRUITINGnkekre@toh.on.ca; vlopez@ohri.ca
NCT05371808Economic Analysis of Early vs Delayed Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Asymptomatic High-Risk Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma: (NCT05371808)Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Small Lymphocytic LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT04728893Efficacy and Safety of Nemtabrutinib (MK-1026) in Participants With Hematologic Malignancies (MK-1026-003) (NCT04728893)Hematologic Malignancies, Waldenstroms Macroglobulinaemia, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Chronic Lymphocytic LeukaemiaRECRUITING 
NCT04224974Emotion and Symptom-Focused Engagement Trial for Individuals With Acute Leukemia (NCT04224974)Acute LeukemiaRECRUITING 
NCT06182774Fixed Duration vs Continuous Daratumumab in Transplant Ineligible Older Adults With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NCT06182774)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 
NCT05998642Ibrutinib Combination Therapy in Transplant Ineligible Individuals With Newly Diagnosed Primary CNS Lymphoma (NCT05998642)Non-hodgkin LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT05090566MagnetisMM-4: Umbrella Study of Elranatamab (PF-06863135) in Combination With Anti-Cancer Treatments in Multiple Myeloma (NCT05090566)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 
NCT02436707Novel Combination Therapy in the Treatment of Relapsed and Refractory Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma (NCT02436707)LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT05180097Pembrolizumab and Brentuximab Vedotin vs GDP and Stem Cell Transplant for Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma (NCT05180097)Hodgkin LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT05243797Phase 3 Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Lenalidomide and Teclistamab Alone Versus Lenalidomide Alone in Participants With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma as Maintenance Therapy Following Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (NCT05243797)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 
NCT04994717Study Comparing Blinatumomab Alternating With Low-intensity Chemotherapy Versus Standard of Care Chemotherapy for Older Adults With Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia-negative B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (NCT04994717)Newly Diagnosed Philadelphia (Ph)-Negative B-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)RECRUITING 
NCT04269902Testing Early Treatment for Patients With High-Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) or Small Lymphocytic Leukemia (SLL), EVOLVE CLL/SLL Study (NCT04269902)Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Small Lymphocytic LymphomaRECRUITING 
NCT00800059Total Marrow Irradiation & Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Relapsed or Refractory Myeloma (NCT00800059)Multiple MyelomaRECRUITING 


Publications

The following research publications are pulled from PubMed using the search terms "leukemia OR lymphoma OR myeloma OR myelodysplastic OR myeloproliferative" and "Ottawa Hospital", with publication date of 2020 or later. More advanced search options are available. Note that PubMed is hosted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and is only available in English.

Evaluation of infectious complications in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes: a prospective cohort study from the Canadian MDS registry.
2024-11-22

First Line Treatment of Newly Diagnosed Transplant Eligible Multiple Myeloma Recommendations From a Canadian Consensus Guideline Consortium.
2024-11-21

Disease Characteristics and Outcomes of 493 Young Myeloma Patients Treated With Modern Therapies: A Canadian Myeloma Research Group Database Study.
2024-11-05

Prognostic Significance of Regulatory T-Cells and PD-1 + CD8 T-Cells in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients Treated with Generic Imatinib.
2024-10-29

Distance to CAR-T Treatment Center Does Not Impede Delivery.
2024-10-24

Patterns of progression in a contemporary cohort of 447 patients with smoldering multiple myeloma.
2024-10-15

Appendicitis while on alectinib for non-small cell lung cancer: a tale of two case reports.
2024-10-11

Caspase-Activated DNase localizes to cancer causing translocation breakpoints during cell differentiation.
2024-10-10

Quadruplet regimens for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
2024-09-30

The risk of venous thromboembolism in primary central nervous system lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
2024-09-27

View more on PubMed