An innovative data research program at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) is using real-world evidence to improve treatment options for people living with cancer - work made possible by philanthropy.
Dr. Winson Cheung and research assistant Dewuni De Silva examine data in the O2 lab at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. Photo Credit: Sheri Block
Calgary's Hugh and Laureen Borgland have made a $2 million gift to the Oncology Outcomes (02) initiative, which analyzes data to see what treatments or interventions might be the most effective for future cancer care. Housed at CSM's Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute under the direction of oncologist-researcher Dr. Winson Cheung, MD, O2 has already made several data research discoveries, many of which are now being used in a clinical setting.
The Borglands wanted to make a difference and lead by example. "I hope it attracts other people to donate," says Hugh.
"We also want our family to see us contribute to the community; it's an important value for us," adds Laureen.
Predictive algorithms and breast cancer treatment
One of O2's recent studies applied advanced analytics and predictive algorithms to a large subset of data to see which breast cancer patients would benefit from chemotherapy. This allows patients who would not benefit to avoid unnecessary side-effects.
Beth Fortin, a breast cancer survivor from Calgary, knows all about the side-effects chemotherapy can have.
After being diagnosed in 2021 with Stage 3 breast cancer that had spread to some of her lymph nodes, Fortin needed multiple rounds of chemotherapy before and after her double mastectomy, along with radiation.
"Chemo is devastating to the body. And it's not just your body, it is everything," says Fortin.
Fortin finished successful chemotherapy treatment in the fall of 2022, but her hair still hasn't completely grown back and she's had to have some teeth extracted. She also has nerve damage in her hands and feet and suffers from exhaustion and hot flashes.
She is encouraged by the O2 research that could allow someone with breast cancer to avoid chemo if it's shown to have no effect.
"I absolutely love that," says Fortin, who believes this will arm oncologists with the latest and most relevant data and give patients access to new treatment paths and drugs.
The O2 team has published its breast cancer findings and is now beta testing a new online tool to support oncologists making treatment decisions in the clinic. With its user-friendly interface O2 can quickly makes an assessment based on real-world evidence, to help inform whether chemotherapy should be used.
The breast cancer clinical group in Calgary is now testing the interface, with a goal to expand it to include other tumour types such as colorectal cancer.
For the Borglands, supporting O2 research grew out of another project - the Glans-Look Lung Cancer Research database - believed to be Canada's largest comprehensive lung cancer data repository. The database was established in 2006 in memory of Jon Glans and Jim Look, with Look being a good friend of the Borglands.
"At that time there weren't a lot of databanks ... that kind of started the impetus and it just has continued on," says Laureen.
"Through that we met with Dr. Cheung and we were impressed with his work and his ideas, so we decided to support his research," adds Hugh.
Improving kidney cancer treatment
The O2 initiative is also making great strides in improving treatments for kidney cancer. Another study undertaken by the team, along with Dr. Daniel Heng, MD, Division Head of Medical Oncology at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and a clinical professor of Medicine at UCalgary, looked at which sequence of immunotherapies (a form of treatment that harnesses the power of a patient's own immune system to attack cancer cells) would benefit the most kidney cancer patients.
Their findings have resulted in updates to treatment guidelines for kidney cancer, via the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) in North America and the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO).
"When oncologists see patients and we don't know how best to treat them, we refer to guidelines," says Dr. Cheung. "This is a good example of how our work is benefiting patients locally and internationally."
Guiding lung cancer care
The O2 team has also undertaken lung cancer studies, including one that is helping to improve treatment delivery to make sure newly diagnosed patients get timely access to new life-changing treatment options.
"This study looks at ways to ensure that everybody who's eligible gets it," says Dr. Cheung.
The study has been shared with the Calgary lung cancer tumour group.
In recognition of the Borglands' gift, a patient quiet space was named in their honour on the second floor of the Arthur Child centre. Tucked away on the second floor, the space features comfortable chairs, a fireplace and a view of the beautiful courtyard below.
The O2 currently has 30 members (students/trainees, fellows, part-time and full-time staff and a close network of collaborators) with plans to expand the team.
"As O2 looks forward, an important vision is to expand our reach. To this end, we are closely working with collaborators in B.C. and Ontario to examine the adoption of immunotherapies in a variety of tumours, including breast, lung, colorectal and prostate cancers," says Dr. Cheung.
About OWN.CANCER
The OWN.CANCER campaign raised $298 million in support of improved research, treatment and care at Calgary's world-class Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre. This game-changing initiative was backed by three trusted community institutions: Alberta Health Services, Canada's first and largest fully integrated provincial health system; the University of Calgary, a globally recognized leader in medical research and home to tomorrow's health-care professionals; and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, the official fundraising partner for all 17 cancer care centres across the province. The Arthur Child opened its doors in fall 2024 as one of the largest comprehensive cancer centres in North America.
