Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Cancer immunotherapy

Immunotherapy makes use of the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. This approach is revolutionizing the treatment for melanoma and several other types of cancer. The Ottawa Hospital is conducting cutting-edge research to improve our understanding of immunotherapy and develop better treatments.

Research News

	Dr. Michele Ardolino awarded $3M Terry Fox grant to explore new frontiers in cancer immunotherapy October 28, 2025 - A research team led by The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) has been awarded a prestigious Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grant to lead groundbreaking research on cancer immunotherapy.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded $3.9M from BioCanRx to develop new cancer immunotherapies April 9, 2025 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded $3.9 million from BioCanRx to develop cutting-edge biotherapeutics that harness the immune system to fight cancer.
	Researchers create tiny “mobile pharmacy” to fight cancer December 6, 2024 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, the University of Ottawa and Université de Sherbrooke Cancer Research Institute (IRCUS) have developed a novel approach to create tiny “mobile pharmacies” that can get inside tumours and dispense anti-cancer d
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	Tumour engineering could provide a powerful new approach to make more cancer patients eligible for targeted immunotherapies September 26, 2024 - There are many highly-effective immunotherapies available in the clinic, but few cancer patients are eligible for these treatments because their tumours must have specific targetable proteins. A new tumour engineering approach could help.
	New research reveals how immunotherapy drugs and viruses can work together to kill cancer cells July 5, 2024 - “These results will help guide ongoing efforts to combine checkpoint inhibitors with cancer-killing viruses in clinical trials."
	Reinvigorating immunotherapy: clinical trial provides new hope for lung cancer patients February 23, 2024 - The Ottawa Hospital played a key role in an international clinical trial that is providing new hope for people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
	MS drug boosts cancer-fighting virus in lab models February 14, 2024 - “Immune-based therapies for cancer are showing great promise and we hope that research such as this will lead to more benefits for patients,”
	Immunotherapy improves survival with mesothelioma lung cancer January 4, 2024 - An international clinical trial published in The Lancet shows that immunotherapy improves survival in people with an aggressive type of lung cancer called pleural mesothelioma.
	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
	Catching cancer at its sneakiest moment November 9, 2023 - Dr. Rebecca Auer is receiving the Chrétien Researcher of the Year Award from The Ottawa Hospital for her research on cancer surgery and immunotherapies
	Capturing immunotherapy response in a blood drop October 26, 2023 - A clinical trial published in Nature Medicine suggests that using a “liquid biopsy” to measure tiny bits of tumour DNA in blood could determine if immunotherapy drugs are working in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
	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
	Ottawa scientist spearheads groundbreaking cancer treatments August 18, 2023 - If you’re in the field of oncology, you’ve likely heard of Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo, an internationally recognized scientist with expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, cancer therapeutics and viral immunology.
	Examining CAR-T therapy, person by person June 5, 2023 - Who responds better to CAR-T therapy? Men or women? What dose of the therapy works best?
	Next-generation cancer-fighting viruses could be fine-tuned with a pill June 2, 2023 - Cancer-fighting (oncolytic) viruses can infect and kill cancer cells without harming normal tissues, while also delivering therapeutic / toxic genes to tumours and stimulating an anti-cancer immune response.
	Bringing cellular immunotherapy to solid tumours: made-in-Canada approach to be pioneered in biliary tract cancers thanks to $7.4M grant April 13, 2023 - Canadians with biliary tract cancer (cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder) will have the first chance to benefit from a new made-in-Canada approach to personalized cellular immunotherapy, thanks to a $7.4 million grant from the Canadian Cancer Society
	Meet Dr. Manoj Lalu, the clinician-scientist bringing lab discoveries to patients every day March 16, 2023 - From looking at how we can use stem cells to treat diseases like sepsis to dealing with patients directly in the ICU and OR, Dr. Lalu is making an impact behind the scenes and beyond.
	Dr. Natasha Kekre wins national recognition for early career success March 15, 2023 - Dr. Kekre's early-career work has secured millions in funding and led to numerous peer-reviewed publications as she’s helped advance the immunotherapy field in Canada.
	Potential colorectal cancer treatment combines immunotherapy and viral therapy in a powerful new way February 16, 2023 - Immunotherapy is revolutionizing the treatment of many kinds of cancer, but for colorectal cancer, success has been limited to patients with rare genetic mutations. To tackle this challenge, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital engineered a new kind of
	How patients can improve the way new cancer therapies are assessed January 27, 2023 - Researchers are bringing patient perspectives on new health technologies into the health economic evaluation process.
	Meet Dr. Natasha Kekre January 26, 2023 - A hematologist for our Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program, Dr. Kekre is also an associate scientist in our Clinical Epidemiology Program and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa.
	Made-in-Canada approach enhancing access to groundbreaking CAR-T cancer therapy January 19, 2023 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are partnering with colleagues across the country to expand access to new technology that turns patients’ immune cells into super-charged cancer-killers.
	CAR-T clinical trial provides ‘one last shot’ for leukemia patient January 11, 2023 - Camille Leahy was out of options. Here's what led her to a Canadian-first CAR T-cell therapy clinical trial at our hospital.
	Canadian-Led Immunotherapies in Cancer (CLIC) program inspires innovative CAR-T trial in Denmark December 8, 2022 - CAR-T therapy is a groundbreaking cancer treatment that involves genetically engineering a patient’s own immune cells to attack their cancer. While this therapy is commercially available in many countries, cancer researchers are also developing their
	Unique Hands-on Training Program in Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Expanding Across Canada September 23, 2022 - Mitacs, in partnership with BioCanRx, has developed CanPRIME 2.0 — a national, first-of-its-kind initiative that will enable standardized, hands-on training to work in a biomanufacturing environment.
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 19 CIHR grants worth more than $12 million July 20, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine, autism, Kabuki Syndrome, kidney disease, patient engagement, blood transfusions, sepsis, surgery, anesthesia, plasma donation, muscle
	First made-in-Canada CAR-T cell therapy for cancer shows promise in clinical trial June 17, 2022 - More than a dozen people with cancer who had exhausted all treatment options are alive and cancer-free today thanks to a pioneering Canadian clinical trial of a highly personalized kind of immunotherapy.
	Cancer-fighting viruses soften up their victims before attacking April 7, 2022 - A research team based at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa has developed a virus that infects and kills cancer cells without harming normal cells, while also sending out signals to prepare nearby uninfected cancer cells for viral attac
	Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital awarded 18 CIHR grants worth more than $11 million February 5, 2022 - These projects will advance science and improve health in areas such as tuberculosis, blood disease, prostate cancer, heart disease, muscle repair, sleep apnea, brain cancer, medical imaging, virtual care, prehab, intellectual disability, sarcoma, CA
	Personalized anti-cancer vaccine shows promise in mice January 28, 2022 - Treatments for cancer are becoming increasingly personalized, not just to a type of cancer, but even to an individual patient. A new study successfully applies this strategy in a new way in mouse models.
	First made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy gives lymphoma patient a third chance January 10, 2022 - Faced with the return of his lymphoma for the third time in ten years, Owen Snider was running out of options. But there was new hope when he was accepted into a made-in-Canada CAR-T therapy clinical trial.
	Medicine’s future: living drugs November 19, 2021 - The Ottawa Hospital’s Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre harnessing the life-saving power of biological therapies
	Researcher blazes a trail in ovarian cancer November 12, 2021 - Dr. Meshach Asare-Werehene is receiving the Worton Researcher in Training Award from The Ottawa Hospital in recognition of his cutting-edge discoveries and extraordinary leadership
	Biotherapeutics: the future of medicine May 25, 2021 - World-class biotherapeutics facility at The Ottawa Hospital uses cells, genes and viruses to create unique life-saving treatments
	Experts on call: Stem cells, gene therapy and biotherapeutics April 22, 2021 - Could biotherapeutics be the key to the next wave of medical breakthroughs? Join this lively discussion to learn how researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are using biological materials like cells, genes and viruses to heal the body and fight disease.
	Translational research grant could help to develop new immunotherapies for leukemia April 5, 2021 - While CAR-T and other forms of immunotherapy are providing new hope for people with acute B-cell leukemia (B-ALL), much less progress has been made in treating acute T-cell leukemia (T-ALL).
	Cancer team awarded $5M for cell-based immunotherapy research March 3, 2021 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are partnering with colleagues across the country to expand Canada’s capacity to develop new cell-based immunotherapies for cancer with a $5.2 million grant from the Canada Foundation fo
	One small step for blood cancer patients, one giant step for Canadian cancer patients of all stripes February 25, 2021 - The Canadian-Led Immunotherapies in Cancer (CLIC) research program is building Canada’s capacity for innovation in CAR-T therapy, with support from BioCanRx, The Ottawa Hospital, BC Cancer and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
	Vaccines and viral immunotherapies: unique Canadian program provides training to manufacture biotherapeutics November 21, 2020 - As COVID-19 highlights the urgent need to increase vaccine manufacturing around the world, a unique training program is bolstering Canada’s capacity to manufacture vaccines, as well as viral immunotherapies for cancer and other emerging biotherapeuti
	From “what if” to “what is” October 9, 2020 - What if you could deliver just one product, in this case one cancer-killing (or oncolytic) virus, to any kind of cancer and have that virus turn into something customized to kill one particular cancer –your own.
	The Ottawa Hospital and uOttawa launch new cancer immunotherapy research projects with funding from BioCanRx September 22, 2020 - BioCanRx, Canada’s Immunotherapy Network, today announced funding of $10M for 14 cancer immunotherapy research projects and eight core and biomanufacturing facilities across the country. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) and the University of
	Virus and targeted drug synergize to fight cancer in mice August 26, 2020 - While some cancer cells can be killed quickly by a single drug, the reality for patients is that multiple therapies are often required, especially if resistance develops. A new study led by Dr. Jean-Simon Diallo reveals for the first time that two pr
	Protecting cancer patients from COVID-19 July 8, 2020 - In the race to find new ways to prevent and treat COVID-19, Canadian researchers have launched an innovative clinical trial focussed on strengthening the immune system for one of the most vulnerable populations – cancer patients.
	Cancer-killing viruses provide inspiration for COVID-19 vaccine April 28, 2020 - While physical distancing has slowed the spread of COVID-19, the vast majority of people around the world remain susceptible to the virus. That’s why most experts believe we won’t be able to fully find a new normal until a vaccine is developed. At T
	Could biotherapeutics be the next revolution in cancer treatment? February 20, 2020 - From helping the body’s own immune system better detect and fight cancer, to treating cancer with immune cells, viruses and vaccines, The Ottawa Hospital is conducting cutting-edge research that could transform cancer care right here at home and arou
	Ottawa a “hotbed of patient partnerships in research” September 27, 2019 - The Ontario SPOR Support Unit’s summer newsletter showcases how Ottawa has become a “hotbed of patient partnerships in research.” Three stories demonstrate how researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are partnering with patients and caregivers to improve
	The promise of CAR-T therapy for cancer: meta-analysis shows the big picture August 14, 2019 - CAR-T therapy, which uses a patient’s own genetically modified immune cells, is one of the most exciting advances in cancer treatment. To get a big picture view of the field, Drs. Manoj Lalu and Dean Fergusson led a team that analyzed data from nearl
	Patients and clinical trial experts key to upcoming made-in-Canada CAR-T clinical trial March 1, 2019 - Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are known around the world for their expertise in designing and leading clinical trials, and they're now applying this knowledge to create a made-in-Canada approach for CAR-T cell cl
	Often-overlooked Natural Killer cells may be key to cancer immunotherapy September 10, 2018 - Immune checkpoint inhibitors are revolutionizing the treatment of cancer, but new research challenges the central dogma of how these drugs work. This research, published in the prestigious Journal of Clinical Investigation, shows for the first time t
	Researchers uncover possible new mechanism to enhance cancer-killing viruses July 11, 2018 - Cancer-killing (oncolytic) viruses have shown promise in the lab and the clinic, but they don’t always work. New research led by Dr. Carolina Ilkow could help change this. While normal cells often lose their first line of antiviral defenses when they
	Sex, viruses and cancer: Erectile dysfunction drugs and flu vaccine may work together to help immune system fight cancer after surgery May 17, 2018 - A new study suggests that a common treatment for erectile dysfunction combined with the flu vaccine may be able to help the immune system mop up cancer cells left behind after surgery. The study, published in OncoImmunology, shows that this unconvent
	Economics professor cancer-free after immunotherapy trial for skin cancer May 3, 2018 - Economics professor Dr. David Gray took part in a clinical trial to see whether an immunotherapy drug could keep his high-risk skin cancer from coming back. Four years later, he’s still cancer-free.
	MS drug makes cancer-fighting viruses more effective in lab models February 7, 2018 - A drug used to treat multiple sclerosis and psoriasis can dramatically enhance the spread of cancer-fighting viruses in human tumour samples and animal models, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine. A team led by Dr. Jean
	The Ottawa Hospital awarded $12.7M for research, double the national CIHR success rate January 30, 2018 - Sixteen research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $12.7 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). This represents a success r
	Could viruses take cancer immunotherapy to the next level? Study shows viruses and checkpoint inhibitors work together to cure resistant breast cancer in mice January 3, 2018 - Immunotherapy, which helps the body’s immune system attack cancer, has revolutionized treatment for cancers such as melanoma and leukemia. However, many other kinds of cancer remain resistant. A new study led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and
	Ottawa researchers to play lead role in new cancer immunotherapy studies February 15, 2017 - BioCanRx funds research into CAR-T and virus-infected cell therapy Researchers from The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa will play a lead role in cutting-edge research on cancer immunotherapy, thanks to five new peer-reviewed researc
	Immunotherapy harnesses our own immune system to fight cancer May 18, 2016 - Ed Williams (left) didn’t expect to live more than six months after his skin cancer spread to his brain. But nearly three years later, he is alive and well thanks to immunotherapy. Michelle Renaud (right) is one of the registered nurses who admin
	Virus vs. Prostate Cancer: Canadian Researchers Pioneer Next-generation Therapy -- Prostate Cancer Canada and the Movember Foundation partner to make innovative work possible September 30, 2015 - A multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians led by Dr. John Bell of The Ottawa Hospital is developing a treatment for prostate cancer using viruses that destroy cancer cells and boost the anti-cancer immune response, all the while leaving
	Dr. Rebecca Auer awarded $450,000 to develop novel immunotherapy for pancreatic cancer April 15, 2015 - Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly cancers. Surgery provides the best chance of a cure, but even then, more than 80% of patients will die of their disease. However, immunotherapies, which harness the body’s own immune system to attack cancer

Researchers

Name	Scientific appointment	Diseases, conditions and populations of interest	Research and clinical approaches
Ardolino, Michele PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Research)	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 (Cancer Research)	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
Auer, Rebecca MD, MSc, FRCSC	Senior Scientist (Cancer Research)	Cancer, Colorectal cancer, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Peri-operative medicine, Quality Improvement, Surgery, Translational research, Viral therapy
Bell, John PhD, FRSC, FCAHS	Senior Scientist (Cancer Research)	Cancer, COVID-19	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Cook, David PhD	Scientist (Cancer Research)	Cancer, Ovarian cancer	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Big data, Bioinformatics, Biomarkers, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Epigenetics, Gene expression, Genomics, Imaging, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, RNA sequencing, Systems biology, Translational research
Crawley, Angela Ph.D.	Senior Scientist (Inflammation and Chronic Disease)	Cancer, COVID-19, Hepatitis C, HIV, Infectious disease, Liver cancer, Liver disease	Basic research, Cancer immunotherapy, Clinical research, Disease models, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, RNA sequencing, Translational research
Diallo, Jean-Simon PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Research)	Cancer, COVID-19, Infectious disease	Artificial intelligence and data science, Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Druce, Irena MD, FRCPC, MSc	Clinician Investigator (Inflammation and Chronic Disease)	Diabetes, Health equity	Cancer immunotherapy, Health promotion, Translational research
Ilkow, Carolina PhD	Senior Scientist (Cancer Research)	Breast cancer, COVID-19, Ovarian cancer, Pancreatic cancer	Basic research, Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Extracellular vesicles / exosomes, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy
Kekre, Natasha BSc, MD, MPH, FRCPC	Scientist (Cancer Research)	Blood cancer, Cancer	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Clinical research, Clinical trials, Epidemiology, Immunotherapy, Patient engagement, Translational research, Transplantation
Quizi, Jennifer PhD	Investigator (Cancer Research)	Cancer, Infectious disease	Cancer biotherapeutics, Cancer immunotherapy, Cell therapy, Drug development, Gene therapy, Immunization, Immunotherapy, Molecular and cellular biology, Oncolytic viruses, Translational research, Viral therapy

Related Resources

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute Cancer Therapeutics Program

Cancer biotherapeutics research at The Ottawa Hospital

The Ottawa Hospital Biotherapeutics Manufacturing Centre

The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program

BioCanRx - Canada's Immunotherapy Network