Care through discovery

Our goal is to positively impact the lives of cancer patients by gaining a better understanding of the nature of cancer and blood disorders.

Image

Care through discovery

Our goal is to positively impact the lives of
cancer patients by gaining a better
understanding of the nature of cancer.

Care through discovery

Our goal is to positively impact the lives of cancer patients by gaining a better understanding of the nature of cancer.

Research and patient outcomes are intrinsically linked

Our scientists are inspired to solve the actual clinical challenges experienced by oncologists and their patients during cancer diagnosis and treatment. These real-world issues directly inform our research. As a result, our cancer research is very pragmatic. Over the last 30 years, the overall cancer cure rate has risen from about 50% to 64% — a direct result of research discovery. Without this ongoing innovation, patients would be receiving yesterday's treatment.

Dr. Brett Houston – Improving patient care through investigator initiated clinical trials
Dr. Marshall Pitz – Studying information and support services to cancer patients
Dr. Kathleen Decker – How population research impacts health services and policy
Dr. Sachin Katyal – Advantages of the research program embedded within a care facility

Research and patient outcomes are intrinsically linked

Our scientists are inspired to solve the actual clinical challenges experienced by oncologists and their patients during cancer diagnosis and treatment. These real-world issues directly inform our research. As a result, our cancer research is very pragmatic. Over the last 30 years, the overall cancer cure rate has risen from about 50% to 64% — a direct result of research discovery. Without this ongoing innovation, patients would be receiving yesterday's treatment. 


Dr. Brett Houston – Improving patient care through investigator initiated clinical trials
Dr. Marshall Pitz – Studying information and support services to cancer patients
Dr. Kathleen Decker – How population research impacts health services and policy
Dr. Sachin Katyal – Advantages of the research program embedded within a care facility

Our Researchers

The science is only as good as our people

Providing excellent care to patients requires an exceptional team of scientists and clinicians. These best and brightest people are attracted to centres that have a vibrant research program. Manitobans are fortunate to have a research institute situated within a major Canadian cancer centre, which continues to grow stronger and attract the next generation of scientists. Today, we have over 70 scientists researching cancer and blood disorders. They collaborate as team members within Manitoba, nationally, and around the world.

Find a Researcher

Your Future

Attracting the best and brightest

The Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba is embedded within the sole provincial cancer authority in Manitoba. This this provides scientists with access to diverse patient populations – from pediatric to geriatric, and all cancer and blood disorder types with one centre. With a growing emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration, our scientists find the support and partnerships to pursue innovative research. Continued investment in infrastructure and technology from multiple funding sources further expands opportunities.

Start Your Journey

Research Excellence Through Multidisciplinary Teams

Scientific discovery contributes to the best care for Manitobans

A priority for institute leadership is to create the optimal environment for research discovery and innovation. Central to our approach is fostering multidisciplinary teams. Working in multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, scientists, technicians, research nurses, trainees, and bioinformaticians, the Institute brings together diverse skill sets to translate basic science discoveries into improved patient outcomes.

These teams further promote research excellence through partnerships between clinical and academic partners at CancerCare Manitoba, Shared Health, Regional Health Authorities, and the University of Manitoba. This progress is exciting and will directly benefit Manitobans.

Three Interrelated Research Disciplines

Cancer patients are at the centre of our research efforts. We support our patient focus through a continuum of 3 related research disciplines: Basic and Translational Research, Clinical Research, and Health Services Research. Our scientific investigation, staffing, resources and investment are organized into these disciplines. Together they encapsulate the full breadth of our cancer and blood disorder research.

Image

Fundamental and Translational Research

Researching new and better ways to prevent, detect, and treat cancer and blood disorders through clinical research

Laboratory or basic research focuses on understanding how nature works. Translational research applies those findings to develop new solutions to medical problems.

Learn More
Image

Clinical Research

Researching new and better ways to prevent, find and treat cancer through clinical trials

Investigator-initiated trials study promising treatments, new technology, and other clinical interventions in people. Research focuses include hematology, radiation oncology, and patient experience.

Learn More
Image

Health Services Research

Investigating the structure, processes, and effects of healthcare services and systems

This multidisciplinary field examines the accessibility, quality, delivery, costs, and patient outcomes of healthcare services to optimize treatment delivery.

Learn More

Research Platforms — Tools of Discovery

The Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute CancerCare Manitoba provides several core resources, or platforms, to member scientists that enable the advancement of their research. The platforms, detailed below, include specialized technologies, equipment, data, and services. While each platform has important scientific applications on its own, the collective suite enables collaborations and synergies across research disciplines. Thus platform investment decisions are an important strategic function of CancerCare. Funding for the platforms includes the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, managed research grants, and various funding agencies, universities, and government bodies.

Research Platforms — Tools of Discovery

The Research Institute provides several core resources, or platforms, to member scientists that enable the advancement of their research. The platforms, detailed below, include specialized technologies, equipment, data, and services. While each platform has important scientific applications on its own, the collective suite enables collaborations and synergies across research disciplines. Thus platform investment decisions are an important strategic function of CancerCare. Funding for the platforms includes the CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, managed research grants, and various funding agencies, universities, and government bodies.

Manitoba Tumour Bank

A biobank facility with a collection of cancer-related tissues

This well-curated and annotated repository provides a critical research service for our scientists and others across Canada and internationally.

Learn More

Genomics and Bioinformatics

Delivery of the right care to the right patient — at the right time

Genomic sequencing is key to precision medicine, enabling medical decisions based on the patient’s unique genomic composition of cells.

Learn More

Cancer Modeling & Imaging Core

The study of cancer in whole organisms

Cancer modelling is essential in the development of novel cancer therapies that may subsequently be used to effectively treat cancer patients.

Learn More

Clinical Informatics

Making high-quality data available to cancer researchers

Collecting and organizing clinical information from multiple sources allows for detailed analysis using modern data science techniques like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Learn More

Quantitative Imaging, Phenotyping & Sorting (QuIPS)

Foundational for cancer and blood disorder research

Understanding how cells act and interact with each other helps identify the molecular events driving cancer development and progression.

Learn More

Research Innovation Highlights

Some of the most innovative and relevant cancer research in the world today is being conducted here at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute at CancerCare Manitoba. Many of our studies are multidisciplinary, utilizing several research platforms. Most importantly, the work is led by a motivated and brilliant team of scientists, clinicians, nurses, lab assistants, and administrators.

Research Institute News

New book from Institute researcher, Dignity in Care: The Human Side of Medicine helps shape the future of patient care

Senior Scientist at CancerCare Manitoba Research Institute, Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov has published a new book, Dignity in Care: The Human Side of Medicine, providing insight into how the disposition and attitude of healthcare providers indelibly shape patient experience.

Read More

New trial looks at reducing bleeding risk in cancer patients while also developing novel research methods

A new Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial (IICT) led by Primary Investigator, Dr. Brett Houston, called the MYELO-CAN TXA trial, aims to see whether Tranexamic Acid (TXA) can help prevent bleeding in patients with certain blood cancers such as acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

Read More

Advanced magnetic resonance simulator to bring new options for research and treatment

The Institute has acquired a state-of-the-art magnetic resonance simulator (MR-SIM) to be installed in 2024, made possible by generous community donations. The research applications of this technology will include new patient treatment techniques and workflows.

Read More