Stories May 20, 2025

Clinical trials pave the way for the care of tomorrow

Stories May 20, 2025

Above: Dr. David Laidley, a nuclear medicine physician at LHSC and a scientist at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI), reviewing a scan of a clinical trial participant who has neuroendocrine tumours.

London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) celebrates Clinical Trials Day

Today, millions of people receive treatments that simply didn’t exist years ago. What was once a poor prognosis is now manageable or even curable, thanks to the dedication of researchers, clinical teams, and patients who participate in clinical trials. The trials of today pave the way for the care of tomorrow.

Why Clinical Trials Day matters

Clinical Trials Day is celebrated globally each year on May 20 to honour the first controlled clinical trial, conducted by James Lind in 1747. Aboard a British naval ship, Lind divided sailors with scurvy into groups and tested different treatments. Those who received citrus fruits recovered, leading to a breakthrough in understanding vitamin C deficiency. This simple but revolutionary study laid the groundwork for modern clinical trial methodology and the importance of evidence-based medicine.

More than 275 years later, clinical trials remain the standard for testing new treatments and improving health care.

A rich history of clinical trials

LHSC has a long history in clinical research, dating back to the mid-20th century. One of its most groundbreaking contributions was the development and first clinical use of the Cobalt-60 “cobalt bomb” in 1951 at Victoria Hospital for radiation treatment of cancer patients. Now, in the present, this innovation marked the beginning of a strong legacy in cancer research and treatment at LHSC, where our teams continue to drive forward radiation therapy. Building on this foundation, LHSC established the Victoria Clinical Trials Centre in the 1980s, eventually evolving into London Health Sciences Centre Research Inc. in 1997 to coordinate clinical research across its hospitals. Today, LHSCRI continues this legacy, supporting over 2,700 active clinical studies that advance innovative care and improve patient outcomes.

Above: The Cobalt-60 Beam Therapy unit, also known as the “Cobalt Bomb”, 1951

A hub for innovation and impact

With more than 2,700 research projects underway, many of which are clinical trials, LHSCRI has established itself as one of Canada’s leading hubs for health research. Spanning a diverse array of conditions, including — from cancer, cardiology, neurology, haematology, rare genetic disorders, and beyond, LHSCRI is committed to improving care for both adults and children.

“Clinical trials are the engine that drives innovation in health care,” says Dr. Christopher McIntyre, Interim Vice President of Research and Scientific Director at LHSCRI. “They help us answer critical questions about new treatments, diagnostics, and models of care all while striving to transform health for all.”

Pioneering cancer research and treatment

At the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre, over 50 to 70 clinical trials are ongoing at any given time, with hundreds of patients participating annually. These studies are deeply rooted in the needs of local patients but have the potential to reshape global cancer care guidelines.

LHSCRI is at the forefront of groundbreaking cancer therapy, including a world-first trial using fecal matter to enhance chemotherapy and immunotherapy. By creating tasteless and odorless pills containing healthy gut bacteria, researchers aim to improve the effectiveness of treatments. Promising results have already been seen in melanoma patients, and alongside partners at Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) of St. Joseph’s Health Care London, LHSCRI is exploring this therapy for highly aggressive cancers like pancreatic cancer.

Above: Saman Maleki, PhD, Scientist at LHSCRI (left) discussing a fecal transplant clinical trial with Dr. John Lenehan, Scientist at LHSCRI and Medical Oncologist at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre (right).

Advancing kidney health through innovation

Nephrology research is another cornerstone of LHSCRI’s clinical trials. At the Lilibeth Caberto Kidney Clinical Research Unit (KCRU), located at Victoria Hospital, over 70 active studies are underway. These studies tackle a wide range of kidney diseases, including dialysis, transplantation, and chronic kidney disease management. Many of these trials are local in nature, while others have a global reach, pushing the boundaries of how kidney health can be better managed and treated.

Above: Candence Baker, Research Coordinator at LHSCRI, reviewing blood samples for a clinical trial affecting kidney disease patients.

Groundbreaking cardiology trials

Above: Dr. Khan showing nurse Betty Chatterson where a line for a pacemaker will be inserted as part of the research study

Cardiology research at LHSC is also making remarkable strides in improving heart health. One such study is being led by Dr. Habib Khan, Associate Scientist at LHSCRI and Cardiologist at LHSC. Dr. Khan’s team is working with hospitals across Canada to investigate whether pacemaker regulation of the heart rate can improve heart failure symptoms and enhance patients’ quality of life compared to those using medications alone.

Comprehensive research across diverse specialties

LHSCRI’s research spans more than 10 research programs, touching on areas as diverse as women’s health, obstetrics, children’s health, critical illness, mental health, neurology, and cancer to name a few. These clinical trials not only aim to improve patient outcomes but also contribute to enhancing standards of care worldwide.

On Clinical Trials Day, we celebrate not just the scientific breakthroughs, but also the people who make them possible. This includes the patients who volunteer to participate, often with the hope of helping others, as well as the dedicated research teams who design, conduct, and deliver these studies. Their collective efforts are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in health care, driving advances that will benefit patients today and in the future.