program

OICR Imaging

Detecting and treating cancers by developing novel imaging probes, techniques and instruments.

About Our program

The techniques being developed in OICR’s Imaging Program are specifically for the purposes of monitoring cancer and enabling its accurate and precise detection, diagnosis and management. OICR’s Imaging Program has had a longstanding commitment to translating and commercializing the products of their research in Ontario through formation of spin-off companies and/or licensing.

OICR’s Imaging Program has 4 centres of excellence to provide the necessary expertise to the cancer research and clinical communities:

Medical Imaging Instrumentation and Software (MIIS) develops image-guided interventional imaging systems that are used in a wide range of applications, from multi-modality biopsy systems to image-guided robotic techniques used for minimally invasive focal tumour ablation. This work is carried out at the Centre for Imaging Technology Commercialization (CIMTEC) – a CECR – and the Robarts Research Institute.
The Imaging Validation Core (IVC) focuses on the development and validation of reliable quantitative prognostic and predictive biomarkers and biomarker panels from in vivo imaging histopathology and molecular profiling, and validation of new imaging modalities against ground truth provided by histopathology and other molecular measures. This work is carried out at CIMTEC and the Sunnybrook Research Institute.
Probe Development (PD) focuses on the discovery, development, distribution, and commercialization of molecular imaging probes and targeted radiotherapeutics. This work is carried out at the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) in Hamilton – a Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR).
Quantitative Imaging for Personalized Cancer Medicine (QIPCM) provides end- to-end medical imaging solutions to help clinical trials achieve improved consistency and reliability in study data. QIPCM has established the required infrastructure and support services for international multi-centre clinical trials. QIPCM is based out of UHN.

Overview

Mission

The mission of OICR’s Imaging Program is to build the capability in Ontario to accelerate translation of research findings and developments of new imaging techniques and probes of cancer into clinical practice through the critical stages.

Our Services and Expertise

Medical Imaging Instrumentation and Software

The MIIS team has core expertise in imaging physics and mechanical, electrical and computer engineering, needed to develop image-processing, guidance, visualization tools and robotic devices that can be used in a wide range of cancer biopsy and therapy applications. We are have core technology for robotic devices, image guidance and processing tools that can be applied to emerging clinical needs.

Capabilities include 3D multi-modality image viewing, delineation of organ and tumour margins (segmentation), fusion of multi-modality images (registration), texture analysis of images (radiomics), 3D ultrasound (3D US) biopsy guidance instrumentation, robotic systems for image-guided therapy, and image-guidance software. Access to imaging equipment includes MR scanners, ultrasound machines and CT scanners as well as fully equipped machine and electronics shops.

Discover our capabilities at MIIS

Imaging Validation Core

In addition to the biomarker multiplexing capability, the lab offers full range of digital whole-mount histopathology techniques, whole mount immunohistochemistry and development of image analysis tools and digital pathology applications and biomarker multiplexing. The lab offers access to imaging-pathology validation services and resources for clinical trials and pilot projects.

Discover our capabilities at IVC

Probe Development

The CPDC team has the expertise to overcome the gap between probe research and clinical use. The CPDC provides the cancer research community with the collaborative support they need to access existing and novel probes. Lay expertise includes radiopharmaceutical research and development, process development and manufacturing, quality assurance, regulatory affairs and business development.

Discover our capabilities at PD

Quantitative Imaging for Personalized Cancer Medicine

QIPCM services for clinical trials includes a centralized data repository with remote access for multi-centre clinical trials, data anonymization and transfer, scanner quality assurance, imaging protocol development and image analysis.

Discover our capabilities at QIPCM