Below, you’ll find our most recent press releases. For further information on any of these stories, please contact our communications department.

You can also read about our research breakthroughs and other activities in our Latest News.


Cancer scientists discover genetic diversity in leukemic propagating cells
(January 19, 2010)
Cancer scientists led by Dr. John Dick at the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI) and collaborators at St Jude Children's Research Hospital (Memphis) have found that defective genes and the individual leukemia cells that carry them are organized in a more complex way than previously thought.


Two Campbell Family Institute Researchers are honoured
(November 25, 2010)
Dr. Mitsu Ikura has been awarded the Robert L. Noble Prize, to honour his outstanding achievements in cancer research. Dr. Ikura is an internationally recognized authority in the field of structural biology and has laid the groundwork for understanding signalling proteins such as cadherins and catenins and molecular signalling processes involved in human diseases such as cancer. Dr. Camilla Zimmermann has been awarded The William E. Rawls Prize, which is given to a young investigator whose work has led to important advances in cancer control within the past decade.


Lung cancer researchers identify gene set that shows which patients benefit from chemo after surgery
(September 7, 2010)
Lung cancer researchers have identified a genetic signature that can help doctors determine which patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer are at high risk for developing disease recurrence and therefore may benefit from chemotherapy after surgery ("adjuvant chemotherapy").


UHN opens ELLICSR and the Collaborative Centre for Health and Wellness and Cancer Survivorship
(June 3, 2010)
What do you get when you combine a comedian, a magician, a radio show host, and a chef? A group of cancer survivors and caregivers celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day at the opening of a unique new research centre at University Health Network (UHN), the first of its kind in Canada.


Princess Margaret Hospital breast cancer researchers link ovarian hormone to breast stem cells growth
(May 5, 2010)
Cancer researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) have discovered that the ovarian hormone progesterone plays a pivotal role in altering breast stem cells, a finding that has important implications for breast cancer risk.


Ontario Cancer Institute, U.S. scientists discover compound that kills lymphoma cells
(April 12, 2010)
An international research team co-led by the Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI) has discovered a compound that kills specific lymphoma cells - a discovery that will accelerate developing targeted drugs to fight the most common form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma.


Ontario Research Fund provides $7 million to Dr. David Jaffray
(March 16, 2010)
The Princess Margaret's Dr. David Jaffray is the lead researcher for a project that was granted $7 million for his research on developing methods to adapt radiation treatment to individual cancer patients.


Dr. Tak Mak makes discovery, advancing knowledge of acute myelogenous leukemia
(February 16, 2010)
Dr. Tak Mak and researchers have discovered that a gene mutation known to upset the way cells make energy fuels the cancer in a type of leukemia called AML (acute myelogenous leukemia). This cancer-causing chemical process ('onco metabolite') has previously been identified as a factor in brain tumors (gliomas).


Dr. Ben Neel awarded the Premier's Summit Award for medical research
(May 13, 2009)
On Tuesday, May 12, Dr. Ben Neel was awarded the Premier's Summit Award for medical research. Dr. Neel stated that he was proud to join the ranks of Tak Mak, John Dick, Peter St. George-Hyslop and Frances Shepherd in receiving this highest recognition of scientific excellence in this province. UHN has now won five of the eight Summit Awards since the start of this Program.


Dr. Tak Mak Inducted to The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
(April 29, 2009)
On April 29, 2009, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame inducted five new honourees, included Dr. Tak Mak of The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research at The Princess Margaret. These individuals joined the ranks of the 71 laureates who had gone before them in bringing distinction to Canada through outstanding contributions to medical science and the improved health and well-being of people everywhere.


The Campbell Family Gives Record Support to Princess Margaret Hospital to Create The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute
(June 3, 2008)
Canada’s leading cancer research centre announced today that a long-term gift of $37.5 million from the Campbell family will be recognized through the creation of The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute (CFCRI) at Princess Margaret Hospital. The Campbell family’s support over the course of their association with Princess Margaret Hospital now totals $67.5 million, representing the largest cumulative private gift to cancer research in Canada.

PMH Researchers Activate New Cancer Drug Using Light and Oxygen
(May 18, 2007)
PMH researchers have developed a new cancer drug, triggered by a laser light. The process, known as photodynamic therapy (PDT), kills only cancer cells, leaving surrounding, healthy cells intact. The study is a collaboration between senior PMH scientists Drs. Gang Zheng and Brian Wilson. It was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences earlier this week.

Cancer Scientists Create “Human” Leukemia Process
(April 26, 2007)
Cancer researchers led by Dr. John Dick at Ontario Cancer Institute (OCI) have developed a method to convert normal human blood cells into “human” leukemia stem cells. The converted cells can replicate the entire disease process from the very moment it begins.
Landmark Awards in Medical Research Announced
(April 25, 2007)
MaRS Discovery District (MaRS) and Premier and Minister of Research and Innovation Dalton McGuinty announced the inaugural winners of the Premier’s Summit Award in Medical Research last night. The unprecedented award celebrates world-class research in Ontario and is the largest research prize ever awarded in Canada.
Princess Margaret Hospital Forges International Partnership
(April 19, 2007)
Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and the Centro Di Riferimento Oncologico (Oncological Referral Center, National Cancer Institute), of Aviano, Italy, announced a partnership today to achieve their shared vision of advancing world-class cancer care that will ultimately reach well beyond the walls of their respective institutions.
Study Identifies Breast Density as the #1 Risk Factor for Breast Cancer
(January 17, 2007)
Scientists at The Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at Princess Margaret Hospital have established that extensive dense tissue in the breast is a major risk factor for breast cancer.
Record Level Federal Grants Announced for University Health Network Scientists
(November 27, 2006)
University Health Network (UHN) today welcomed approximately $28-million in federal grants supporting five research teams in cancer stem cells, regenerative medicine, cancer biology, genomics, and cancer survivorship.
UHN Scientists Discover Stem Cells that Cause Colon Cancer
(November 20, 2006)
Scientists at University Health Network have discovered that colon cancer originates from rare colon cancer stem cells. This new knowledge is key for developing new targeted therapies that prevent recurrence of the disease. Only one in 57,000 colon tumour cells is a cancer stem cell.
Princess Margaret Hospital Launches Revamped Breast Cancer Centre
(September 10, 2006)
Yesterday, Princess Margaret Hospital announced that 5,382 walkers raised $17.2 million in The Weekend to End Breast Cancer, a two-day, 60 kilometre walk to raise funds for breast cancer research in Toronto. This is the fourth annual Weekend to End Breast Cancer walk in Toronto, a multi-day event that has raised $60 million to date.
University Health Network Campaign Draws Impressive Number of International Stars
(June 21, 2006)
Philip S. Orsino, O.C., Chair of the Board of Trustees of University Health Network (UHN) and Robert Bell, MD, President and CEO, today announced an impressive number of international clinical and research talents who have joined the network since the launch of its $500-million fundraising campaign. The announcement was made at UHN’s Annual General Meeting, which was open to the public.