Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

The BALANCE trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that seven days of antibiotic treatment is sufficient for bloodstream infections, potentially reducing hospital stays and antibiotic resistance. Led by Sinai Health, the trial's success during COVID-19 paved the way for future non-COVID-19 trials, demonstrating the importance of conducting trials in general medicine wards.

Stephanie Borlase's radiopharmaceutical, developed at U of T, will track immunotherapy delivery to brain metastases in a 2025 trial at Sunnybrook, aiming to improve lung cancer treatment by using ultrasound to disrupt the blood-brain barrier.

Canadian researchers are part of global efforts to test targeted alpha therapy, a new cancer treatment using radioactive alpha particles to kill cancer cells more effectively and with less damage to healthy tissue. Several therapies are in final stages of testing and could be approved by Health Canada within a few years. Potential applications include pancreatic, prostate, breast, and neuroendocrine cancers. Challenges include production of rare radioactive isotopes and high costs, with treatments expected to cost tens of thousands of dollars per dose.

Bayer received FDA 510(k) clearance for its MEDRAD Centargo CT injection system, designed to enhance workflow efficiency in high-volume CT suites. The system, used by 7 million patients in 49 markets since 2020, reduces patient set-up time, integrates barcode reader for streamlined data entry, and features Dual Flow technology. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto was the first North American hospital to adopt it, noting improved technologist efficiency and patient interaction. The system also won the Red Dot Design Award 2020 and an AmeriStar Award for innovative packaging.

Bayer's MEDRAD® Centargo CT Injection System, cleared by the FDA, enhances workflow efficiency in radiology departments, addressing the shortage of technologists and rising imaging demand.

Paul J. Karanicolas, MD, PhD, FRCSC presents 'Tranexamic Acid in Patients Undergoing Liver Resection: The HeLiX Randomized Clinical Trial' on Nov 22, 2024, 1-2 p.m. ET. Join via Zoom link with passcode 003222.

Steven Stefanidis, a Toronto firefighter, was diagnosed with an incurable Grade 2 IDH-mutant glioma after a seizure. He underwent surgery and participated in clinical trials for Voranigo, an oral medication that significantly slowed his tumor growth. Voranigo has now been approved in Canada, offering hope for patients with this type of brain cancer.

Dr. Chia-Lin Tseng presented a prospective trial on post-prostatectomy linac-based ultrahypofractionated radiotherapy at ASTRO 2024, showing no grade ≥3 acute toxicities and minimal impact on quality of life. Four late grade 3 toxicities were observed, with further follow-up needed for long-term evaluation.