Adaptive Oncology
Inquiries
Senior Program Manager
Dr. Michelle Brazas
michelle.brazas@oicr.on.ca
Telephone: 416-673-8502
Mobile: 416-357-6687
Introduction
The goal of the Adaptive Oncology (AO) Initiative is to develop “adaptive” approaches to cancer management that anticipate how tumours change over the course of time and in response to therapy.
The Initiative, one of OICR’s three key priority research areas, brings together OICR researchers with expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, machine learning, imaging, robotics and histopathology.
What do we mean by ‘Adaptive Oncology’?
Adaptive Oncology (AO), is a term describing a paradigm in which an understanding of the evolutionary history of a patient’s tumour is used to inform clinical management strategies.
Over the past decade, large cancer genome sequencing efforts have catalogued unexpected diversity amongst cancer genomes. Several hundred novel cancer driver genes have been identified, and a broad spectrum of genomic alterations ranging from single base substitutions to whole genome duplications is now implicated in tumour initiation, progression and therapeutic response. Over the same period, research has discovered extensive spatial and temporal heterogeneity in cancer.
We now know that most or all tumours consist of a polyclonal community of genetically distinct cells which evolve over time to adapt to therapy, the immune system and the microenvironment.
Mission
OICR’s AO Initiative seeks to develop knowledge and approaches to monitor cancer over its life cycle in order to enable precise and proactive clinical management.
Our research will create the groundwork for new clinical and diagnostic paradigms that use the knowledge of spatial and temporal heterogeneity to select the right therapy at the right time.
In turn, these paradigms will create opportunities for commercialization via knowledge bases of predictive biomarkers, diagnostic testing services, decision software systems and novel imaging instrumentation.
Programs
Computational Biology
Utilizes datasets from multiple sources for the development and application of algorithms for cancer genome analysis, biomarker discovery, cancer pathway discovery, data integration and tumour evolution research. Learn more about Computational Biology
Diagnostic Development
Initiates, disseminates and nurtures expertise in the development of diagnostic assays and supports the rapid implementation of precision medicine. Learn more about Diagnostic Development
Genomics
Provides large-scale, next generation sequencing cancer genomics capabilities to researchers in Ontario and beyond. Learn more about Genomics
Genome Informatics
Develops new software, databases and other necessary components to store, organize and compute over the large and complex datasets being generated by OICR’s cancer research programs. Learn more about Genome Informatics
Imaging
Accelerates the translation of research findings and developments of new imaging techniques and probes for cancer into clinical practice. Learn more about Imaging
Resources
Global Alliance for Genomics and Health
GA4GH was formed to help accelerate the potential of genomic medicine to advance human health.
Learn more about GA4GH
ICGC-ARGO
The ICGC generated comprehensive catalogues of genomic abnormalities in tumours from 50 different cancer types. ICGC AGRO takes the next step in this work by analyzing 100,000 genomes and integrating patient health data to address key clinical and biological questions.
Learn more about ICGC-ARGO
Ontario Tumour Bank
A province-wide biorepository and data bank focused on collection of tumour-related human biospecimens. Learn more about Ontario Tumour Bank
Networks
Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network
A province-wide network of pathologists collaborating to carry out high-quality cancer research with a clear potential for clinical impact. Learn more about Ontario Molecular Pathology Research Network
Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network
Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network is the first registry of its kind in Canada and will be used to understand the biology, prevention, early detection and treatment of hereditary cancers.
In the News
New prognostic biomarkers and cancer-driving genes found in the dark matter of the cancer genome
Nov 15, 2021
New funding from the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research supports projects developing methods for cancer detection and tools to facilitate better treatment decisions for high-risk cancer patients
Dec 01, 2021
Looking Ahead
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