Translational Immuno-Oncology Research Group
Immuno-Oncology has changed cancer care around the world in the last decade and is the fastest growing field in Oncology.
Immunotherapy is now the 4th arm of cancer treatment beyond surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and is poised to transform the way clinicians manage and treat cancer patients. This research group brings together the enormous clinical and scientific expertise in cancer immunology, cancer immunotherapy and cancer immuno-imaging across London.
The Immuno-Oncology research will have an impact on improving our understanding of the roles the immune system plays in cancer to new ways to boost the immune system to treat cancer. Our group is building a pipeline of research projects across the Tumor Immunology (T-cells, Dendritic Cells (DCs), Macrophages), Cancer Immunotherapy (Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs), Gut Microbiome, Cell-Based Immunotherapies, Radionuclide Immunotherapy, Superantigen Immunotherapy) and Cancer Immuno-Imaging (Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), Optical Imaging) fields of research.
The Translational Immuno-Oncology Research Group will build on the existing strengths that London has to offer. The Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University has formed a partnership with the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) which houses The London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP). The LRCP serves the cancer patients of southwestern Ontario with clinicians and trainees from Schulich. LHSC is also home to LHSC's Cancer Research Laboratory Program (CRLP) and the Gerald C. Baines Clinical Trial Unit (Baines) where clinicians researchers and basic scientists work together to treat cancer patients and advance patient clinical trials.
Western Research, an arm of Western University has formed a partnership centre encompassing Robarts Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, Western's Department of Medical Imaging, The School of Biomedical Engineering, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The Biomedical Imaging Research Centre (BIRC) encompasses London-wide imaging and its researchers. Its integrated program is the most successful in Canada and ranks among the top 5 in the world.
The Translational Immuno-Oncology Research Group have access to the one-of-a-kind Imaging Pathogens for Knowledge Translation (ImPaKT) Facility. This facility houses state-of-the-art in vivo small animal imaging modalities included a 3T PET/MRI, an optical /CT hybrid scanner, and a multiphoton microscope.
The group hosts monthly seminars focusing on learning about the breadth of immuno-oncology research being performed across the city, stimulate new ideas, collaboration opportunities highlight recent successes and discuss funding opportunitites. The group also hosts a weekly Immuno-Oncology journal club and an annual immuno-oncology symposium in February with national and international guest speakers. For more information and/or to join, contact Saman Maleki, PhD or John Ronald, PhD.
List of 2021-2022 publications by members.
Scientist - Cancer Research Laboratory
Program, Lawson Health Research Institute
Assistant Professor, Departments of Oncology,
and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine,
and Medical Biophysics, Schulich School
of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University.
Scientist, Robarts Research Institute - Imaging
Assistant Professor - Department of
Medical Biophysics, Western University
