February 4 is World Cancer Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and recognizing global efforts to advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes. From discovery and novel therapeutic development to clinical practice and supportive care, scientists and pharmacists at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy are advancing cancer research and translating it into better patient care.
The stories below highlight research and practice innovations that drive progress and improve patient care for people diagnosed with cancer.
Advancing cancer research and patient care
U of T and Moderna partner to advance vaccine science, cancer treatment and AI-driven therapeutics
Supported by Moderna Canada, Rick Lu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Li Lab, is advancing lipid nanoparticle technology to deliver precise mRNA instructions, contributing to the development of safer and more scalable therapies, including cancer treatments.
New nanomedicine platform “TITUR” shows promise for advancing personalized mRNA cancer therapeutics
Led by Bowen Li, assistant professor at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, researchers at the University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre are advancing TITUR, a customizable mRNA platform for cancer treatment designed to target tumours more precisely while reducing harmful side effects.
Pharmacy alum’s research shows how full-scope practice improves cancer care
PharmD graduate Adrian de Boer is advancing oncology pharmacy practice through award-winning residency research that highlights the role of pharmacists in cancer patient care and symptom management.
Made-in-Toronto cancer nanomedicine gets green light for clinical trial
Professor Raymond Reilly is helping to lead the translation of porphysomes, a Toronto-discovered cancer nanomedicine, from laboratory discovery into a first-in-human clinical trial, advancing new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches toward clinical use.
New symptom reporting tool improves quality of life for children with cancer
Professor Lee Dupuis is improving access to supportive care in pediatric oncology through SSPedi, a symptom screening tool shown to reduce symptom burden and improve quality of life for children during and after cancer treatment.
Stephanie Borlase develops new radiopharmaceutical to track immunotherapy delivery to brain metastases in patients with lung cancer
PhD trainee Stephanie Borlase (Reilly lab) is translating her research into patient care through a new radiopharmaceutical built to track immunotherapy delivery to brain metastases in patients with lung cancer. The radiolabeled therapy is currently pending approval with Heath Canada for its use in a clinical trial led by clinicians at Sunnybrook Health Sciences in Toronto.
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Exploring pharmacy: A summer camp experience for high school students
Now in its second year, Pharmacy Summer Camp continues to give high school students hands-on experiences in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
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World Cancer Day: Advancing cancer research and patient care
February 4 is World Cancer Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and recognizing global efforts to advance cancer care and improve patient outcomes.
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U of T pharmacy students earn national recognition at PDW 2026
Nineteen PharmD pharmacy students participated in Professional Development Week (PDW) 2026 in Québec City, earning national and local awards while contributing to advocacy and professional development initiatives.
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