Research Programs

The Cancer Axis represents the single largest area of research at the LDI, with an integrated team including a strong group of fundamental scientists and the largest group of cancer clinician-scientists in Québec. Research activities include fundamental lab-based, translational, and clinical investigations with emphasis on molecular oncology, cancer genetics, cancer prevention, biomarkers in cancer therapy, new cancer therapies, translational physics and radiobiology, psychosocial oncology, and evaluative research.

The LDI Cancer Axis is embedded in the Segal Cancer Centre (SCC), Quebec’s first comprehensive cancer centre, which has emerged as one of the most dynamic environments for cancer research in North America. It combines innovative fundamental and clinical research with excellent patient care, and high-level training for medical doctors as well as graduate students. The Cancer Axis/Segal Cancer Centre researchers are world leaders in the study of the biology of cancer and translational cancer research. The SCC plays a major role in clinical research, including innovative early phase (first-in-man) studies. The emphasis on personalized approaches to care, together with clinical trials of novel in-house developed therapeutics, advanced knowledge of cancer biology, and cancer genetics have combined to improve patient outcomes. The emergence of sophisticated genomic and proteomic explorations in oncology promise to bring exponential benefits to cancer care.

Also part of the LDI Cancer Axis is the McGill Centre for Translational Research in Cancer (MCTRC) founded in 1996. The MCTRC provides the infrastructure, services and focus of purpose to bring key investigators involved in translational research together to generate novel approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. From its inception it was designed to be multidisciplinary, multi-institutional and to include clinical and fundamental scientists from across Quebec. The Centre’s main focus is on innovation, new knowledge generation and rapid translation of discoveries from lab to clinic. We are leveraging a variety of potential synergies and creating new partnerships with government, biotech, and pharma in order to bring scientific discoveries to patients and to the society.

The Cancer Axis also has a very active and growing program in evaluative research. This includes international leadership in robotic surgery of various types of cancers.