University Health Network, Toronto

This study tests a two-dose pandemic H5N1 (bird flu) vaccine in 120 organ transplant recipients to see if it is safe and triggers a strong immune response. Transplant patients are at high risk for severe flu, but no data exists on how well pandemic flu vaccines work in them. The …

This study tests whether lungs from donors with hepatitis B can be safely transplanted into people who do not have the virus. The lungs are treated with UV light and antiviral drugs to kill the virus before transplant. Twenty recipients will be monitored for 6 months to see if th…

This study tests a 6-month program of supervised exercise, heart risk management, and online support for young cancer survivors (ages 18-45) who have mild heart dysfunction. The goal is to see if this approach improves fitness and heart health better than standard advice. 336 par…

This study tests a drug called AZD2936 in about 100 people with high-risk head and neck cancer who still have signs of cancer DNA in their blood after standard treatment. The goal is to see if the drug can clear those cancer signals and prevent the cancer from coming back. Partic…

This study tests whether adding belimumab (a drug approved for lupus) to standard therapy can better control autoimmune hepatitis, a chronic liver disease. About 48 adults with active or stable disease will receive weekly injections for 72 weeks. The goal is to reduce liver infla…

This study tests whether a high-dose radiation boost after initial chemotherapy can improve outcomes for people with locally advanced pancreatic cancer that has not spread. About 43 participants will receive the radiation and complete quality-of-life surveys. The goal is to see i…

This early-phase study tests a technique called In Vivo Lung Perfusion (IVLP) that delivers chemotherapy directly into one lung during surgery to remove lung tumors. The goal is to kill any remaining cancer cells while reducing side effects on the rest of the body. About 10 adult…

This study tests a drug called tarlatamab in 44 adults with a specific type of brain tumor (IDH-mutant glioma) that has returned or stopped responding to treatment. The goal is to see if the drug can control the tumor and boost the immune system's attack on cancer cells. Particip…

This early-phase study tests a technique called in vivo lung perfusion (IVLP), where chemotherapy is delivered directly into one lung during surgery to remove sarcoma tumors that have spread there. The goal is to kill any remaining microscopic cancer cells while reducing side eff…

This study tests whether teclistamab, a drug for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, can be given safely in an outpatient setting instead of requiring a hospital stay. It involves 15 patients who have already tried at least three other treatments. The goal is to reduce hospital…

This study tests whether taking two common diabetes and heart drugs together (dapagliflozin and semaglutide) is safe and helpful for people who have received a kidney transplant. About 20 adults who are at least 3 months post-transplant will take the drugs for 12 weeks. The goal …

This study tests whether giving precise, high-dose radiation to a few growing spots of melanoma can delay overall cancer progression. About 52 adults whose cancer has started to grow in up to 10 spots while on standard treatment will receive focused radiation to those spots. The …

This study tests whether robotic surgery can be used as the first treatment for stage IIA/B testicular seminoma, instead of chemotherapy or radiation. About 25 men with cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen will undergo a minimally invasive procedure to remove thos…

This study tests a drug called cabozantinib in 20 adults whose liver cancer came back after a liver transplant. The goal is to see if the drug can control the cancer and slow its growth. Participants take the drug until it stops working or side effects become too severe.

This study tests a procedure called irreversible electroporation (IRE) using the NanoKnife system to treat intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The goal is to destroy cancer cells with fewer side effects than standard treatments like surgery or radiation. About 100 men aged 50 and …

This study tests a new combination of chemotherapy drugs (NABPLAGEM) against the standard combo for people with advanced pancreatic cancer that has a BRCA1/2 or PALB2 gene mutation. The goal is to see if the new combo works better at shrinking tumors and helping people live longe…

This study looks at whether giving iron through a vein (IV) after heart surgery can help people with iron-deficiency anemia recover faster and spend fewer days in the hospital. About 60 adults having planned heart surgery will receive either IV iron or a placebo shortly after sur…

This study is for men with castration-resistant prostate cancer that has a few new or growing spots (oligoprogressive). It compares two approaches: adding targeted radiation (SBRT) to the current drug therapy versus switching to a different drug. The goal is to see if radiation c…

This early study tests whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the cerebellum can safely improve walking and coordination in 12 adults with ataxia that hasn't responded to other treatments. DBS uses a surgically implanted device to send electrical pulses to specific brain areas. …

This study tests a 1-week radiation treatment for women who have had breast cancer come back in the same breast after prior radiation. After surgery to remove the recurrence, participants receive a short course of focused radiation to only part of the breast. The goal is to see i…

This study is testing a type of radiation called stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for people with lung cancer or cancer that has spread to the lung. The treatment delivers high doses of radiation in just 3 to 10 sessions over 1 to 2 weeks. Researchers want to see how we…

This study tests whether a single, extremely high dose of radiation delivered by a special MRI-guided machine (MR-Linac) can better control liver tumors that have spread from other cancers compared to the usual high dose. About 114 adults with up to three liver metastases from sp…

This study compares two ways of giving radiation after prostate cancer surgery. One group gets standard daily radiation for 4 weeks. The other gets stronger doses every other day for about 2 weeks. The goal is to see if the shorter schedule causes similar side effects and control…

This study is for people with a type of blood cancer called diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that has come back or not responded to treatment. Researchers are testing different combinations of chemotherapy and radiation given just before standard CAR T cell therapy, to see i…

This study tests whether adding a drug called letermovir to the usual antiviral treatment helps clear CMV infection faster in people who have received a lung transplant. About 40 participants with active CMV will receive either letermovir or a placebo alongside standard care. The…

This study tests whether cold-stored platelets work as well as standard room temperature-stored platelets to control bleeding in adults having heart surgery. About 150 participants will be randomly assigned to receive one type of platelet transfusion. The goal is to see if a larg…

This study tests a new way to treat diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) by using early PET scans and blood tests (ctDNA) to decide the best treatment plan. About 40 adults with untreated DLBCL will receive standard chemo plus the drug glofitamab, but the number of cycles and ad…

This study tests a new way to deliver radiation to prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes in the abdomen or pelvis. About 26 men whose cancer is otherwise controlled will receive a precise, adaptive type of radiation called SBRT, which targets both the tumor and nearby ly…

This study looks at whether a simple blood test can find tiny bits of cancer DNA left after lung cancer surgery. If the test shows cancer might come back, patients get extra treatment to try to stop it. The goal is to see if this approach can keep cancer away longer. About 66 peo…

This study tests a new, less invasive treatment for men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Doctors use a special ultrasound to guide a laser that destroys the tumor. The goal is to see if this procedure is safe and can delay or eliminate the need for more aggressive treatmen…

This study tests a non-invasive radiation treatment for people with serious heart rhythm problems that haven't improved with medication or standard procedures. About 60 participants will receive a single, focused dose of radiation to the problem area of the heart. Researchers wil…

This study is for people with high-risk melanoma who have had surgery to remove their cancer. It uses a special blood test to look for tiny bits of tumor DNA left in the body. If found, participants receive either a combination of two immunotherapy drugs or one drug alone to try …

This early-stage study is testing the safety of combining the drug talazoparib with low-dose chest radiation in people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Up to 24 participants who have finished initial chemotherapy without their cancer getting worse will take talazopari…

This study tests a new way to give radiation therapy for anal cancer using real-time MRI guidance. The radiation dose is adjusted based on each patient's risk level (low, standard, intermediate, or high). About 80 adults with anal squamous cell carcinoma will take part. The goal …

This study tests whether a daily 25 mg dose of empagliflozin, a drug usually used for diabetes, is safe and helps preserve the small amount of kidney function that some people on peritoneal dialysis still have. Researchers will measure changes in kidney function over time and che…

This early-phase study tests whether adding an experimental drug called binimetinib to the immunotherapy pembrolizumab can help shrink tumors in people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. About 40 participants with a specific type of lung cancer (PD-L1 high) will receive th…

This study tests an experimental oral drug called ABSK043 in about 20 people with advanced angiogenic sarcomas (intimal sarcoma, head/neck angiosarcoma, or EHE). The drug blocks a protein called PD-L1 to help the immune system attack cancer cells. The main goal is to see if the d…

This study tests whether combining two drugs, venetoclax and azacitidine, is safe and effective for people whose myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) has advanced to a more aggressive phase. About 40 participants will receive the combination therapy. The goal is to see if the treatm…

This study tests a new way to give radiation to men whose prostate cancer has come back after surgery. Using special scans, doctors will give higher radiation doses to the cancer spots and lower doses to healthy areas. The goal is to control the cancer while reducing side effects…

This study tests whether adding intravenous ketamine to internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (i-CBT) can quickly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in people with treatment-resistant depression. About 110 adults will receive weekly i-CBT for 13 weeks, and half will al…

This study is testing a new method to help patients with severe lung failure who are on breathing machines. Researchers want to see if carefully adjusting a muscle-relaxing medication can help these patients breathe more safely on their own. The trial will check if this approach …

This study tests if a special green dye called indocyanine green (ICG) can find cancer in lymph nodes as accurately as the standard two-dye method in people with breast cancer who have already had chemotherapy. About 100 adults will receive both the new dye and the standard dyes …

This study is testing a new, smaller, and mobile PET scanner called the Radialis PET Imager (RPI) to see if it can take pictures of amyloid plaques in the brain as well as standard PET scanners. Amyloid plaques are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and seeing them helps doctors …

This study is testing two new experimental methods—a blood test called liquid biopsy and a special camera called PEM—to see if they can help doctors find breast cancer more accurately in women at high risk. About 100 women who are already scheduled for an MRI-guided biopsy will a…

This early-stage trial tests a new imaging drug called porphysome, which is designed to make tumors show up more clearly on PET/CT scans. The study involves 24 women with advanced gynecological cancers that have spread. The main goal is to check the drug's safety and find the bes…

This study compares two types of needles used during a lung ultrasound procedure to collect tissue samples from swollen lymph nodes in people suspected of having sarcoidosis. The goal is to see which needle provides better-quality samples for a clear diagnosis. About 128 adults w…

This study is testing a new blood test that looks for DNA from tumors in the blood. The goal is to see if it can find cancer earlier than standard screening in people with inherited cancer syndromes. About 1,000 participants will be followed over time, and researchers will compar…

This study compares two ways to check if lung cancer has spread to lymph nodes in the chest: a standard CT/PET scan versus a minimally invasive scope test called EBUS-TBNA. The goal is to see which method is more accurate for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer w…

This study tests whether giving the numbing drug lidocaine through a vein during breast cancer surgery can prevent persistent pain that often lasts for months after the operation. About 1,600 adults having a lumpectomy or mastectomy will be randomly assigned to receive either lid…

This study tests a new program designed to help adults with brain metastases manage common thinking and memory problems. The program offers different levels of support based on each person's needs, from educational materials to one-on-one coaching. Researchers want to see if the …

This study is for men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It compares two ways of giving radiation to the prostate: one schedule gives treatment every other day for 2 weeks, and the other gives it once a week for 6 weeks. The goal is to see if the sho…

This study tests whether a single high-dose intravenous ketamine infusion can reduce the number and severity of headache days in people with chronic daily headaches. About 56 adults will receive either ketamine or a placebo (saline) and be followed for three months. The goal is t…

This pilot study tests whether combining a mild electrical stimulation of the spinal cord with balance training can improve postural control and reduce fall risk in people who had a stroke over a year ago. Sixteen community-dwelling adults will be randomly assigned to receive eit…

This study looks at whether adding early palliative care to usual treatment helps people with multiple myeloma or aggressive lymphoma feel better. About 144 patients and their caregivers will either get early palliative care or standard care alone. Researchers will track quality …

This study follows 1,000 adults in Canada who are authorized to use medical cannabis for pain, sleep, anxiety, depression, or epilepsy. Researchers will track changes in symptoms and quality of life over 24 weeks using standard questionnaires. The goal is to understand how effect…

This study tests a smartphone app that connects young adults (ages 18-40) who have finished treatment for certain cancers (lymphoma, breast, testicular, or sarcoma) with trained peer navigators. The goal is to see if this digital support program is feasible and helps participants…

This study tests whether a newer, more precise type of radiation (adaptive SBRT) can reduce urinary side effects compared to standard radiation for men with localized prostate cancer. About 320 participants will be randomly assigned to one of the two radiation methods. The goal i…

This study tests a special eye training technique called biofeedback for people with glaucoma, a disease that damages vision. The training helps patients use their remaining eyesight more effectively by teaching them to look with healthier parts of their retina. Researchers will …

This study tests whether adding mild electrical stimulation to balance exercises can improve walking and stability in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Up to 24 participants will be randomly assigned to balance training alone, training with leg muscle stimulation, or training …

This study compares a newer type of radiation, called lattice therapy, to standard radiation for shrinking pain from large tumors (at least 5 cm). About 148 adults with solid tumors that cannot be surgically removed will take part. The main goal is to see if lattice therapy provi…

This study is testing a device called Hi-OxSR that lets people briefly rebreathe carbon dioxide (CO2) to see if it can reduce brain fog and fatigue caused by Long COVID. The researchers believe CO2 may calm the immune system and reduce inflammation. About 120 adults with lingerin…

This study tests whether an artificial intelligence tool can help surgeons perform gallbladder removal more safely. About 70 patients having laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be randomly assigned to surgery with or without AI guidance. The goal is to see if AI helps surgeons achi…

This study tests a nationwide virtual clinic called SHAReClinic that provides education and counselling to help prostate cancer patients and their partners manage sexual health after treatment. About 575 people will take part, using online modules and surveys to track changes in …

This study follows 104 breast cancer patients whose cancer has spread to the chest wall. They will have surgery to remove the affected area. The goal is to see if the surgery improves their quality of life and how well it controls the cancer.

This study tests a short counseling program called CALM for women with advanced ovarian cancer. The goal is to see if it's practical and helpful for reducing stress and improving well-being. Participants will fill out questionnaires and may receive up to 6 therapy sessions.

This study tests a program for adults who have chronic pain and take opioids before surgery. The program includes pain education, therapy, and a mobile app to help patients reduce opioid use and manage pain. Researchers will compare how many patients successfully wean off opioids…

This study compares two ways of using radiofrequency (heat) to treat chronic neck pain caused by arthritis in the small joints of the spine. The goal is to see which needle placement works better and lasts longer. About 72 adults with moderate to severe neck pain will be randomly…

This study is testing whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can help people with Long COVID who struggle with brain fog, fatigue, and other lingering symptoms. HBOT delivers high levels of oxygen to the body, which may reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. The…

This study tests a therapy called EASE for parents of children recently diagnosed with cancer. The goal is to see if it reduces traumatic stress symptoms compared to usual care alone. About 306 parents will take part, answering questionnaires over six months.

This study tests whether creating a personalized lullaby can improve quality of life and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnant women with epilepsy. Thirty first-time mothers-to-be will be randomly assigned to either take part in the Lullaby Project or receive standar…

This study looks at whether a video call with a radiation therapist before starting radiotherapy helps breast cancer patients feel less scared and worried compared to a standard phone call. About 130 people will take part and fill out questionnaires at three points. The goal is t…

This study compares two ways of providing early palliative care to people with advanced cancer. In one group, everyone sees a specialist. In the other, only those with moderate-to-severe symptoms get a referral. The goal is to see if the targeted approach works just as well for q…

This study looks at whether a greater occipital nerve block (a simple injection) can temporarily relieve severe headaches caused by spontaneous intracranial hypotension (a spinal fluid leak). About 34 adults with this condition will receive the nerve block and be monitored for pa…

This study tests whether injections made from a person's own bone marrow or fat cells can reduce knee pain from osteoarthritis better than a placebo. About 148 adults with moderate knee arthritis will receive one of these cell injections or a dummy shot. Researchers will track pa…

This study tests whether applying tranexamic acid (TXA) directly into the surgical wound can lower pain, reduce the need for painkillers, and improve wrist function after surgery for a broken wrist. About 90 adults having wrist fracture repair will be randomly assigned to receive…

This study tests whether giving a standard, evidence-based opioid prescription after hand or forearm surgery reduces the number of unused pain pills while still controlling pain well. About 292 adults having same-day surgery at Toronto Western Hospital will either get the standar…

This study tests a new daily adaptive radiotherapy (ART) approach for head and neck cancer patients to see if it can better protect the submandibular glands, which produce saliva. About 50 participants will receive either standard radiation or the new ART method. The goal is to r…

This study tests an 8-week virtual rehabilitation program (CaRE@Home) for adults who have finished treatment for breast, colorectal, head and neck cancer, or lymphoma. The goal is to see if the program reduces disability and improves physical function, anxiety, and quality of lif…

This study tests whether daily capsules of cannabis compounds (CBD or THC) can reduce pain interference in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis. One hundred adults aged 40-80 will take either CBD, THC, or a placebo for 8 weeks and track their symptoms remotely. The goal is to s…

This study is testing whether low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFUS) can safely change brain activity in people with conditions like Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, epilepsy, or substance abuse disorder. Researchers will measure brain responses and any changes in movemen…

This study is for people newly diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are scheduled for curative treatment. Researchers want to see how radiation therapy changes MRI scans and immune system markers in the tumor. By taking biopsies and scans before and during tre…

This study enrolls 7,000 people with various cancers who have had or will have treatment aimed at curing their disease. Researchers collect blood, tissue, urine, and saliva samples over time to look for tiny bits of cancer DNA that might remain after treatment. The goal is to lea…

This study looks at whether special MRI scans can find early signs of heart damage in people with Fabry disease. Researchers will follow 300 adults with Fabry disease to see if these scans can predict serious heart problems like dangerous heart rhythms, heart failure, or death. T…

This study is testing whether advanced PET/MR scans and blood tests can spot early signs of heart and lung damage caused by radiation therapy for chest cancers. About 40 adults who will receive chest radiation will be followed with imaging and blood draws before and after treatme…

This study looks at whether tissue samples taken during a routine lung biopsy (called EBUS-TBNA) can be used to analyze gene changes in lung cancer. The goal is to see if these gene changes can help predict which treatments—like surgery, chemo, or radiation—will work best for eac…

This study looks at whether doing special breathing exercises (inspiratory muscle training) before a lung transplant can help people recover more quickly after surgery. Researchers will enroll 90 adults with lung disease who are waiting for a transplant. The main goal is to see i…

This study looks at whether CT and MRI scans can help predict how well brain tumors respond to radiation treatment. Researchers will scan 90 adults with brain metastases before and after radiation. The goal is to find imaging biomarkers that could guide personalized treatment in …

This study looks at how head and neck tumors change during treatment by using special MRI scans and tissue samples. About 60 adults with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer will take part. The goal is to find markers that could help doctors personalize care in the future.

This study looks at how spinal cord stimulation (SCS) helps people with long-term nerve pain after back surgery. Researchers will use brain scans to understand why some types of SCS work better than others. The goal is to find out which patients are most likely to benefit, so tre…

This study is testing whether special MRI scans and blood tests can predict if soft-tissue sarcoma will spread to other parts of the body. Researchers will enroll 145 adults with high-risk sarcomas. The goal is to find biomarkers that help doctors personalize treatment without ex…

This small pilot study is testing whether a device that combines augmented reality (AR) with functional electrical stimulation (FES) is safe and practical for people with cervical spinal cord injury. Seven participants will use the system for 20 one-hour sessions over 10 weeks to…

This large study is testing multiple new treatments for people with severe breathing failure who need oxygen or a ventilator. It will include up to 6,250 participants and use a flexible design to quickly identify which treatments work best. The goal is to improve survival and red…

This study looks at whether advanced imaging (HyperSight) and adaptive planning (Ethos) can help doctors adjust radiation treatment as a child's body changes during therapy. Twenty children aged 18 or under with non-cranial tumors will receive standard radiation plus extra scans …

This study enrolls 400 people with advanced or rare cancers to test personalized treatments based on their tumor's genetic profile. Doctors use each patient's unique genetic information to select a targeted therapy, then track how well the cancer responds. The goal is to improve …

This study is for people with head and neck cancer that has come back or spread. It tests a new drug, alone or with another drug, to see how the cancer responds. The main goal is to find biological markers in blood and tumor samples that can predict if the treatment will work or …

This study is testing whether a special smart shirt (Hexoskin) can help monitor and detect side effects early in 100 patients receiving palliative radiotherapy for metastatic cancer. Participants will wear the shirt and use a mobile app to track their health. The goal is to see i…

This study looks at how well pregnant women with epilepsy follow recommended care guidelines and how that affects their health and their baby's health. Researchers will track 80 women from two Toronto hospitals to see if following guidelines leads to better outcomes. The goal is …

This study watches 3000 adults in hospitals worldwide to see what problems happen right after a breathing tube is removed. It looks at serious issues like very low oxygen, heart stopping, or needing help to breathe again. The goal is to learn how often these problems occur and fi…

This study takes tumor samples from people with breast, colorectal, or ovarian cancer and grows them in mice. Researchers then test different drugs on these mouse tumors to see which ones might work best for each person. The goal is to match patients with effective treatments and…

This study follows 5,500 Canadian cancer patients whose tumors have rare genetic changes. Researchers will collect data on how these cancers behave and how well different treatments work, including newer targeted drugs. The goal is to learn more about these uncommon mutations to …

This study looks at how much waste is created during surgeries at Toronto Western Hospital, focusing on anesthesia-related trash. Researchers will sort through waste bins to measure what can be recycled, reused, or is thrown away incorrectly. The goal is to find ways to reduce wa…

This study looks at whether a special PET scan and a blood test for HPV can find leftover cancer cells in people with cervical cancer after they finish standard chemoradiation. About 64 adults with stage IB-IVA cervical cancer will join. The goal is to see how well these tests pr…

This study watches 45 people with neuroendocrine tumors who are getting or have gotten peptide radionuclide therapy (PRRT). Researchers will test blood samples over up to 5 years to find genetic changes that might lead to myelodysplastic syndrome or acute myeloid leukemia. The go…

This study aims to better predict how dementia will progress in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. Researchers will collect blood samples and use computer models to track changes in thinking and memory over time. The goal is to improve prognostic confid…

This study aims to collect blood samples (liquid biopsies) from 2,500 people with cancer or at high risk for cancer, along with their medical information. The samples will be stored and used by researchers to develop better ways to detect, monitor, and understand cancer over time…

This study looks at whether using an MRI scan before each radiation treatment is practical and helpful for people with liver or pancreatic cancer. About 30 adults will get up to 5 extra MRIs during their standard radiation course. Researchers will measure patient comfort and anxi…

This study collects fluid from the lungs of 70 people with soft-tissue sarcoma that has spread to the lungs. Researchers will look for specific markers in the fluid to see if they can predict how the disease will progress. The goal is to better understand the body's immune respon…

This study will use two different PET scans (PSMA and FDG) in 30 men with advanced prostate cancer to learn more about how the disease behaves at different stages and during treatment. The goal is to gather information that could help doctors choose better treatments and monitor …

This study aims to learn more about gene and protein changes in gynecologic cancers (ovarian, uterine, cervical, and others) by collecting tissue and blood samples from 1,000 participants. Researchers will analyze these samples to understand why some people respond differently to…

This study watches how doctors decide between two radiation treatments for cancer that has spread to the spine. It will compare standard radiation (CRT) with a more precise type (SBRT) to see which provides better pain relief and tumor control. About 100 adults with painful spine…

This study looks at how MRI scans can help doctors see changes in head and neck tumors during radiation therapy. About 173 people with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer will get extra MRI scans while receiving standard treatment. The goal is to learn how to better target radia…

This study explores whether combining PET and MRI scans can help doctors better plan radiation therapy for people with esophagogastric cancer. Fifteen adults will receive PET-MRI scans before, during, and after their standard radiation treatment. The images won't change their cur…

This study collects blood, tumor tissue, and other fluids from 510 people with advanced ovarian cancer to find biological markers (biomarkers). Researchers will analyze these samples to understand why some patients respond well to treatment while others do not. Results may be sha…