Our Focus

Integrating scientific expertise with research on the optical, radiobiological and genetic properties of cancer; to inform and improve patient care.

Established in 2009, Integrative Oncology (IO) is the amalgamation of three previously independent research departments that have a rich history of collaboration with BC Cancer Research; the Department of Cancer Imaging, the Department of Medical Biophysics, and the Department of Cancer Genetics and Developmental Biology. IO scientists have generated a substantial amount of intellectual property over the years, with many considered leaders in their fields of cancer research; in Canada and around the world.

Imaging Unit

The Imaging Unit (formerly Cancer Imaging) is dedicated to the management of cancer through early detection.  Most solid cancers are much more successfully treated if caught early. The Imaging Unit exploits the interaction of light at both the micro- and macro-scopic level to detect, delineate, grade and treat early (predominantly pre-invasive) cancers. This unit focuses on early cancer management issues in the Lung, Cervix, Oral, Breast, Prostate and Skin. 

Radiation Biology Unit

Though not applicable to all cancer patients, radiotherapy is the most efficacious, non-surgical, cancer treatment at BC Cancer (and globally). The Radiation Biology Group within IO focuses on improving our understanding of the cellular and biological impacts of radiation treatments and also aims to develop drugs that will increase the effectiveness of radiotherapy.

Genetics Unit

The Genetics Unit (formerly Cancer Genetics and Developmental Biology), focuses on deciphering genomic and epigenetic changes, and signaling and metabolic pathways in a variety of cancers.

News & Events

Dr. Katey Enfield has been appointed to Scientist within Integrative Oncology at the BC Cancer Research Institute

Dr. Katey Enfield is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC), and a Scientist in the Department of Integrative Oncology at the BC Cancer Research Institute (BCCRI). Dr. Enfield received her PhD from UBC under the supervision of Dr. Wan Lam, where she employed a multiomics approach to discover and characterize oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes. 

Innovative Early Lung Cancer Detection is Saving Lives

As the most commonly diagnosed cancer, lung cancer accounts for a quarter of all cancer deaths — more people will die from lung cancer this year than from colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancers combined.

This is due to the fact that most patients are referred to BC Cancer once they’ve developed symptoms. As a result, nearly half of lung cancer cases are detected in Stage 4 after the cancer has metastasized. The five-year survival rate for the disease is 62% in Stage 1 but drops to just 3% in Stage 4.

Dr. Zhenwei Ma receives Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship

Congratulations to Dr. Zhenwei Ma of Gao Lab (Integrative Oncology) for receiving a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship. 

The award is tied to the project titled, "Hydrogel adhesive artificial mucosa: a paradigm-shifting platform for esophageal cancer treatment and management.”

The Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships program provides funding to the very best postdoctoral applicants, both nationally and internationally, who will positively contribute to the country's economic, social, and research-based growth. 

BC Cancer 2024 Summer Research Studentship Awards Announced

BC Cancer 2024 Summer Research Studentship competition, sponsored by the BC Cancer Foundation, supports senior undergraduate university students and/or junior medical or dental students seeking hands-on training in cancer research in British Columbia. These summer studentships may address any discipline of cancer research including clinical, translational, basic, behavioural and population research areas.

The 2024 awardees are:

Research Labs & Principal Investigators

Recent Publications

Spatial Architecture of Myeloid and T Cells Orchestrates Immune Evasion and Clinical Outcome in Lung Cancer.

Cancer discovery, 2024
Enfield, Katey S S, Colliver, Emma, Lee, Claudia, Magness, Alastair, Moore, David A, Sivakumar, Monica, Grigoriadis, Kristiana, Pich, Oriol, Karasaki, Takahiro, Hobson, Philip S, Levi, Dina, Veeriah, Selvaraju, Puttick, Clare, Nye, Emma L, Green, Mary, Dijkstra, Krijn K, Shimato, Masako, Akarca, Ayse U, Marafioti, Teresa, Salgado, Roberto, Hackshaw, Allan, , , Jamal-Hanjani, Mariam, van Maldegem, Febe, McGranahan, Nicholas, Glass, Benjamin, Pulaski, Hanna, Walk, Eric, Reading, James L, Quezada, Sergio A, Hiley, Crispin T, Downward, Julian, Sahai, Erik, Swanton, Charles, Angelova, Mihaela
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