Ongoing Clinical Projects

Patients with a primary invasive melanoma are recommended to undergo excision of the primary lesion with a wide margin. There is evidence that less radical margins of excision may be just as safe. A reduction in margins is expected to improve patient quality of life. This study will determine whether there is a difference in disease-free survival rates for patients with primary cutaneous melanoma treated with either a 1cm excision margin or 2cm margin. The study is designed to be able to prove or disprove that there is no difference in risk of the tumour recurring around the scar or anywhere else in the body between the two groups of patients. If the study shows no risk of tumour recurrence then we will also be able to determine how much of an impact the narrower excision has on patients in terms of improved quality of life and reduced side effects from the surgery and melanoma disease. This trial will also evaluate and determine the economic impact of narrower excision margins on the health services and society in general.

Pricipal Investigator (Canada): Dr. Frances Wright

Principal Investigator (Saskatchewan): Dr. Gary Groot

Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

Over the past decade there has been focused attention on metformin, and it has been proven that metformin has anti-proliferative effects on breast cancer. Breast cancer patients on metformin have better cancer-specific survival. However, there have not been studies focusing on the effect of metformin on triple negative breast cancer (ER-/PR-/Her2-). We are conducting a retrospective study of a cohort of patients who underwent surgical interventions for their primary breast cancer at multiple institutions in Canada. The history of pre-existing diabetes and the use of metformin and other pharmacologic agents will be correlated to breast cancer subtype. A chart review of operative room reports, pathology reports, and consults notes to determine past medical history and medications will be performed.

We aim to identify pharmacologic agents, such as metformin, that result in a decreased incidence of triple negative breast cancer

Principal Investigator: Dr. Gary Groot, Dr. Pamela Meiers

Funder: University of Saskatchewan

Contributors: Melissa Wood, Angela Schellenberg, Annalise Kudryk, Brian Christopher Nocon, Lyndsey Thiessen, Nawaf Abu-Omar, Sahar Shirazi, Sukanya Pati, Zarrukh Baig

The most common sites of distant recurrence of breast cancer are the bone, lung, liver, and brain, all of which are difficult to biopsy, may not yield sufficient sample to test, or may be unsafe or at least uncomfortable procedures for the patient. As a result, at a critical point in patient care, there is still a current unmet need for diagnostic information to guide decision-making.

In this multi-national clinical trial the purpose is to examine the potential of blood draws as a rapid and less invasive alternative to biopsies. Additionally, to compare the results of a liquid biopsy test currently in development with results from standard-of-care (SoC) pathology results from tissue biopsies in the same setting.

Principal Investigator (Saskatchewan): Dr. Gary Groot

Co-investigator: Dr. Pamela Meiers, Dr. Henrike Rees

Lead Sponsor: Epic Sciences

Collaborators: Saskatchewan Health Authority, Protean BioDiagnostics Inc.

Breast Cancer Cells. Photo by Ed Uthman is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The RUBY Study is a pan-Canadian collaborative comprised of a national network of 62 researchers and clinicians at 44 institutions and clinics across Canada, with the common goal of studying breast cancer in young women. Currently under the direction of Dr. Steven Narod and Dr. May Lynn Quan, the overall aim of this program is to establish a population-based cohort of 1,200 women newly-diagnosed with breast cancer aged 40 and under. this study cohort will support four synergistic sub-projects in order to enable the research team to comprehensively and holistically address major concerns for young women facing breast cancer.

The RUBY Program focuses on research designed to have practical consequences by assisting patients, family and healthcare professionals to develop and select the tools that will enable optimal care for young women with breast cancer and their families.

Principal Investigators (Canada): Dr. Steven Narod, Dr. May Lynn Quan

Principal Investigators (Saskatchewan): Dr. Gary Groot, Dr. Pamela Meiers

Funders: Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF), Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

The study explored the ability of negative pressure wound therapy (Prevena dressing) to reduce post operative superficial surgical site infection rate in elective colorectal surgery. Half of the participants received Prevena dressing on closed incision immediately after the operation while the other half received conventional surgical dressing.

This study has now closed and a paper delineating our findings has been submitted for publication.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Gary Groot

Sub-investigators: Sheev Dattani, Maria Siddiqui, Nathan Ginther

Lead Sponsor: University of Saskatchewan

Collaborators: Kinetic Concepts Inc., Saskatoon Health Region