University Health Network, Toronto

This study looked at whether a special exercise program is practical and helpful for young cancer survivors (ages 18-45) who have mild heart problems from past treatment. 30 survivors joined the pilot study to test if they could stick with the program and if it improved their hea…

This study tested two standard chemotherapy combinations in 150 people with untreated, advanced pancreatic cancer. The goal was to see which treatment works better to control the disease and help patients live longer. Researchers also collected tumor samples to learn more about t…

This study tested whether adding a low-dose chemotherapy drug to radiation before surgery could boost the immune system's ability to fight mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung lining. Thirty adults with good overall health took part. After surgery, some also received two immun…

This study tested a new approach for people with large brain metastases (tumors that spread to the brain from other cancers). Instead of surgery first, patients received focused radiation before surgery to remove the tumor. The goal was to see if this order reduces side effects a…

This study looked at whether giving people with advanced salivary gland cancer a drug that matches their tumor's genetic makeup can help control the disease. 114 participants first had their tumor genes analyzed. If a targetable change was found, they got a matched drug; if not, …

This study tested a special 5-day radiation treatment for people whose solid tumors have spread to only a few places (up to 5 spots). The goal was to give a higher dose directly to the tumors while protecting normal tissues, and to see if this controls the treated tumors for at l…

This study tested whether giving a short, intense course of radiation to the chest just before surgery can kill cancer cells and prevent them from spreading outside the chest during the operation. It involved 104 people with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to…

This study tested whether a special PET scan (called PSMA PET) can find prostate cancer that has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body better than standard CT and bone scans. 142 men with intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer, or whose cancer had returned after tr…

This study tested a breath analysis device (eNose) to see if it can predict which cancer patients will benefit from immunotherapy. Researchers collected breath samples from 190 adults with lung, melanoma, bladder, kidney, or head and neck cancers before treatment. The goal was to…

This study tested a new training program for people with incomplete spinal cord injury who are at high risk of falling. The training uses mild electrical stimulation to help improve their ability to catch themselves when they lose balance. 21 participants completed 18 sessions ov…

This study tested whether virtual reality (VR) exposure therapy could help people with epilepsy who feel anxious about their seizures. Fourteen adults used VR for 5 minutes twice a day over 10 days. Researchers measured anxiety, depression, and quality of life before, after, and …

This study tested a web-based program called True North Peer Navigation for men recently treated for prostate cancer. The program connects men with trained peer navigators who provide practical information and emotional support. Researchers measured whether the program helped men…

This study tested whether an online education program helps gynecologic cancer patients better manage side effects after brachytherapy. About 150 patients took part. The program aimed to improve patient satisfaction, quality of life, and reduce complications like vaginal narrowin…

This study tested a new online program that teaches mindfulness and coping skills to people recovering from surgery. The program is completely self-guided, meaning no therapist is needed. Researchers wanted to see if people would find it useful and easy to use compared to a works…

This study looked at whether an 8-week group program on mindful eating could help people who had bariatric surgery. 45 participants learned mindful eating techniques and filled out questionnaires about their eating habits, mood, and anxiety before and after the program. The goal …

This study tested whether asking advanced cancer patients to fill out a symptom questionnaire online before their doctor visit could help connect them to palliative care sooner. 40 adults with stage IV cancer participated, completing surveys about their quality of life and sympto…

This study tested a device that combines mild electrical muscle stimulation with a balance board video game to help people with spinal cord injury or stroke improve their balance and reduce fall risk. 18 adults who could stand for 60 seconds took part. The goal was to see if this…

This study tested whether sleeping in a semi-upright position (propped up) instead of lying flat on the back could prevent sleep apnea from getting worse on the second night after surgery. 164 adults with sleep apnea who were having inpatient surgery took part. The goal was to se…

This study looked at whether semaglutide, a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can help improve cognitive function in adults with major depressive disorder who are also overweight. 72 participants took either semaglutide or a placebo alongside their usual depression treatmen…

This study tested whether personalized treatments help adults with ongoing concussion symptoms better than standard care. 40 participants each received both types of therapy for 6 weeks each. The goal was to see if individualized care leads to greater symptom relief.

This study tested a treatment called functional electrical stimulation (FES) to improve arm function in young children (ages 3-6) who had a stroke around birth. FES uses small electrical currents to activate weak muscles, helping children practice reaching and grasping. The study…

This study tested a new therapy for people with partial spinal cord injury who have trouble standing and balancing. The therapy combines two types of electrical stimulation with a video game-like balance training. 17 participants completed 12 sessions over 4 weeks. The goal was t…

This study tested whether an 8-week home program combining physical exercise with brain-training games is feasible for people with COPD. 24 participants aged 50+ tried the program, which aimed to improve both physical and mental function. The main goal was to see if people could …

This Canadian study tested different treatments for people with Long COVID—symptoms that last months after a COVID-19 infection. About 460 adults took part, trying one of two treatments or a placebo for 2 months, then were followed for 4 more months. The goal was to see if these …

This small pilot study tested whether oral cannabinoids (medical cannabis) can help people with chronic pain. Researchers enrolled 51 adults and measured how easy it was to run the study, including recruitment and adherence. The goal was to gather data to design a larger, more de…

This study looked at whether group-based cancer rehabilitation (exercise and support) works when done online versus in person for people with advanced breast or colorectal cancer. 111 adults took part in Toronto and Vancouver. The goal was to see if the virtual option is practica…

This study watched 46 patients with a type of lung cancer that hadn't caused symptoms yet. Doctors chose to give radiation right away or wait and see. The goal was to learn how doctors make that choice and how patients felt over time. No new treatment was tested.

This study looked at whether automated planning tools can be used with MRI scans to guide radiation therapy for breast cancer. The goal was to make treatment faster and more precise without extra radiation exposure. 63 female breast cancer patients participated to help refine thi…

This study looked at two ways to handle a rise in PSA levels after prostate cancer surgery. One group got radiation therapy right away, while the other group was monitored with regular PSA tests and only had a special scan when PSA rose further. The goal was to see if waiting and…

This study looked at whether a pre-surgery exercise and education program (prehab) is possible and helpful for people donating part of their liver. 30 donors took part to see if a larger study could be done. The goal was to check if donors would join, stick with the program, and …

This study tested whether an online training program can effectively teach healthcare workers to screen stroke patients for swallowing problems (dysphagia). Swallowing difficulties affect about 55% of stroke patients and increase pneumonia risk. The study involved 82 healthcare p…

This small study looked at whether a program of exercise, nutrition advice, and stress management before spinal deformity surgery is practical. Only 6 adults took part, and the goal was to see if such a program could be done safely and smoothly. The study did not test if it actua…

This study looked at 42 adults with advanced solid tumors who were already on or about to start immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors) and also needed palliative radiotherapy to ease symptoms like pain or breathing trouble. The goal was to see how safe the combination is and wheth…

This study examined genetic changes in tumors from 332 people with advanced pancreatic cancer. The goal was to see if these genetic details could help doctors choose better treatments in the future. Participants had a biopsy and their tumor genes were analyzed while they received…

This study tested how practical it is to use a special dye and SPECT-CT scan to map lymph node drainage in patients with oropharynx cancer. Twelve participants received an injection around their tumor to see if the dye traveled to lymph nodes on both sides of the neck. The goal w…

This study tested whether it is possible to run a larger trial comparing two common surgeries for a condition where the lower spine is narrow and one bone has slipped forward. The two surgeries are: decompression alone (relieving pressure) and decompression with fusion (joining b…

This study looked at oxygen levels inside prostate tumors in 186 men with early-stage prostate cancer. Researchers used a special needle to measure oxygen before starting radiotherapy or hormone therapy. The goal was to see if low oxygen (hypoxia) makes treatment less effective o…

This study looked at whether a special scan called a PET scan can quickly show if chemotherapy is shrinking a rare cancer called retroperitoneal sarcoma. The cancer is hard to treat because it grows large in the belly. 18 people took part. The goal was to see if PET scans work be…

This study tested whether a special PET scan can measure low oxygen levels (hypoxia) in prostate cancer tumors. 18 adults with intermediate to high-risk prostate cancer received a tracer called FAZA before their standard treatment. The goal was to see if this imaging method is fe…

This study tested whether a nurse-led walking and sit-to-stand program is practical and liked by older adults with cognitive issues like dementia in transitional care. Six participants took part to see if the program could improve strength, mobility, and quality of life. The main…

This study tested a new way to help surgeons find small lung nodules during a type of keyhole surgery called VATS. Doctors used a special CT scanner in the operating room to place tiny metal markers (microcoils) near the nodules before removing them. The goal was to see how much …

This study looked at whether a peer support group is practical and helpful for young adults (ages 18-39) who have had a stem cell transplant. Thirteen participants joined the program, and researchers measured how acceptable and useful it was. The goal was to see if this kind of s…