Canada’s Largest Tumour Bank Opens at Kingston Health Sciences Centre

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group’s Tumour Tissue Data Repository, recognized as the largest cancer clinical trials tumour bank in Canada, has officially relocated to the Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC). This consolidation of decades’ worth of patient-donated tumour samples under a single roof is aimed at enhancing cancer research and clinical trials.

This state-of-the-art facility not only houses the repository but also partners with the Queen’s Laboratory for Molecular Pathology, positioning Kingston as a pivotal hub for cancer research. The integration of resources previously scattered across various locations at KHSC and Queen’s University is intended to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient care.

Enhancing Cancer Research and Treatment

Dr. Steve Smith, president and CEO of the KHSC Research Institute and deputy vice-principal of research at Queen’s University, emphasized the significance of this project. He stated, “This is a fantastic example of where Kingston stands out nationally, home to the largest research tumour bank in Canada and to some of the most talented researchers in the world, who are focused on improving the lives of patients with cancer.”

The repository contains tissue samples collected from cancer clinical trials globally, including those conducted at KHSC. Shakeel Virk, manager of the repository and director of operations for the Queen’s lab, noted the value of this extensive collection. “A sample given at one point could mean changes in treatment well down the road. It maximizes a patient’s contribution,” he explained. “We are custodians of samples donated by patients from across the world, and it is critical that we use these samples responsibly to help improve how patients are treated in the future.”

Collaboration for Future Innovations

Dr. David Berman from the clinical department of pathology and molecular medicine at KHSC and Queen’s University highlighted the technological advancements made possible by this new centre. He remarked, “Applying these technologies to patients provides a tremendous opportunity to uncover new insights into why some treatments fail in one patient and succeed in another.” This research aims to enable health-care teams to tailor precise therapies that enhance and prolong the lives of cancer patients.

Operational director Dr. Lois Shepherd, who is also a professor at Queen’s University, believes that this collaboration will address critical questions. “The underlying question we look to answer is why certain cancers respond the way they do,” she stated. “This repository provides extraordinary long-term data that helps us better understand cancer as a disease.”

The facility is expected to play a vital role in advancing knowledge about cancer evolution and treatment responses, ultimately leading to more personalized therapies. Dr. Annette Hay, a clinician scientist with KHSC and the trials group, recognized the importance of this development. “With one in two Canadians expected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, there is still much work to be done,” she noted. “This dedicated space will allow for the expansion of this internationally renowned research for years to come.”

The Queen’s lab will serve as the primary site for tissue and genomic analysis for hundreds of KHSC patients participating in research through the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope Cancer Network. The new facility will utilize advanced digital tools across multiple disciplines, including histopathology, immuno-profiling, computerized image analysis, genomics, and artificial intelligence.

This significant project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of numerous partners, including the Canadian Cancer Trials Group, Queen’s University, KHSC, the KHSC Research Institute, the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. For more information about the Tumour Tissue Data Repository, please visit the KHSC website.