Research at the Patterson Institute

Message from the director

The Patterson Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at CCNM is focused on the whole-person approach to cancer care.

Our research agenda encompasses the social, psychological, emotional, spiritual and functional aspects of the patient journey. The completion of a series of systematic reviews will inform the development of best practice guidance in the use of natural health products (NHPs) across the continuum of integrative oncology care.

This project began with an evidence map of human controlled trials of NHPs used in integrative cancer care. The primary outcomes of mortality/survival, treatment response, recurrence/remission, disease progression/metastasis, and stable disease identified the strongest signals of potential efficacy and safety, and those NHPs that had both positive and statistically significant results were selected for the next phase of our research agenda.

We are now performing systematic reviews on each of these top prospects as we move closer to the production of best practice guidance in integrative oncology during the peri-operative period. Best practice guidance during the chemotherapeutic, radiotherapeutic and post-conventional care periods are planned in subsequent stages.

Dr. Peter Papadogianis, ND
Director, Patterson Institute for Integrative Cancer Research

Current Research Projects at the Patterson Institute:

Natural health products in integrative cancer care: Which ones have the most promising evidence from 218 recent reviews of human controlled studies?
Cogo E., ND, MSc, MLIS, Papadogianis P., MSc ND. Poster presentation for the 2018 IN-CAM Research Symposium

Human Controlled Studies in Integrative Cancer Care: Part 1 - The Role of Herbal and Mushroom Products
Cogo E., ND, MSc, MLIS, Bhardwaj S., BHSc, Papadogianis P., MSc, ND. [Manuscript under preparation].

• Future investigations to include The Role of Nutrients and The Role of Traditional Asian Formulas

Systematic review and meta-analysis on the use of natural health products during the surgical period in integrative cancer care.
[In progress] To date, over 2000 studies have been screened in duplicate for review inclusion.

• Future investigations to include the use of natural health products during chemotherapy, radiation and in palliative care.

Program Manual for an Integrative Cancer Retreat Model
Patterson M., Cogo E. ND, MSc, MLIS, Papadogianis P., MSc, ND. 2018 [Manuscript under preparation]

• A cancer retreat is a unique and integral part of integrative cancer care and can provide valuable support to people living with cancer.
• This design of a retreat will be evidence-based
• These retreats will provide an opportunity to study the impact for people with cancer and their caregivers when they are immersed in a multi-day group environment to explore different integrative therapies.

Learn more about the Patterson Institute