Welcome to the OBGYN Research Group

• The postgraduate residency training program in the Department of OBGYN strives to engage the resident trainees in clinical research. The Resident Research Committee oversees all resident projects and ensures successful completion of these projects. Our residents have presented and published numerous forms of clinical research projects at local, national, and international conferences. The Resident Education Fund, which is made possible by the generous donations of the OBGYN Faculty members, helps to facilitate many of these projects. It is the goal of the postgraduate training program to instill critical appraisal skills and a lifelong love of clinical research in our learners. 

• Gynecologic oncology is a unique discipline that spans both surgical and medical specialties. As such, the division of gynecologic oncology is housed under the department of oncology, however is also closely tied to department of obstetrics & gynecology. Research in Gynecological Oncology focuses on these 5 main gynecologic cancers: Ovarian, Uterine, Cervical, Vaginal and Vulvar. Collectively we focus our research on the prevention, treatment, genetic testing and use of advancements in precision medicine. Our research is pushing the standard of care in cancer prevention in HPV testing. Our ability to reach beyond the cancer agency’s prevention program means we are diagnosing and treating those patients that frequently fall through the cracks in the health care system. Our work in genetic testing is leading Canada in the area of ovarian cancer treatment, with the ultimate goal of bring equitable diagnosis and precision medicine-tailored treatment to all ovarian cancer patients.

• Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) within our department has been a longstanding success and has been recognized on the National and International level. Our research goals are focused on the development of new techniques to advance gynecologic care & surgery in the most minimally invasive and least painful manner possible. Access to our well-developed outpatient ambulatory women's health clinic and state-of-the-art laparoscopic suites has allowed research projects in the areas of fertility management, AUB, fibroids, endometriosis, and chronic pelvic pain (just to name a few).

• Research in Reproductive Science and Medicine is multi-disciplinary and revolves around ovarian follicular development in natural cycles, ovarian stimulation, ovulation and ovulation induction, uterine receptivity and hormonal contraception. Our goal is to help the approximately 1 in 6 couples experiencing difficulty in achieving pregnancy. In addition, our work in contraceptive development is aimed at giving women the means to control their reproductive processes when pregnancy is not desired. A main area of transdisciplinary work is the development of imaging and image enhancement tools to elucidate physiological changes over using the analysis of high-resolution ultrasonographic images. Our work on determining endometrial receptivity, the assessment of ovarian function, as well as the assessment of ovarian and breast masses has been revolutionary. Other areas of research include development of computer software for tissue characterization and analysis of ultrasonographic and MR images, 3-dimensional ultrasonography, early embryo development, automated detection of embryonic anomalies and development of animal model systems for investigation of human reproductive dilemmas. These tools are important in helping patients increase the probability of pregnancy as they access medically assisted reproduction to ameliorate infertility.

• Our research goal is to study and develop innovative therapies for sexual and reproductive health concerns. Minimally invasive treatments for gynecologic conditions are being explored as alternatives to invasive surgical procedures giving patients lower risk options. New products and diagnostic tests are being investigated as new options to treatment and management of common obstetrical problems such as anemia and hypertensive disease allowing for safer, more efficient care.

• Our research goal is to examine our current practices in sexual and reproductive health and find areas for improvement.

• Obstetrics research in the area of Maternal Fetal Medicine is dedicated to advancing care and improving outcomes in high-risk pregnancies. Our researchers are involved in studies spanning from retrospective reviews to clinical trials. Our research in Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) aims to find markers for the diagnosis of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restrictions. Ongoing investigations on the use of closed incision negative pressure therapy in high transverse incision cesarean section for patients with obesity class I, II and III which will lead to improved outcomes in patients with obesity.

4PDQ Trial

• Our pragmatic trial offers tumor testing to patients with ovarian cancer who respond to their chemotherapy and qualify for a new class of drugs called PARPi’s.  Testing gives patients personalized information about how much benefit a PARPi offers. PARPi’s delay relapse and are given when patients feel well.  The current standard is to offer PARPi’s to everyone, then wait and see what happens.  The problem is that PARPi’s are toxic. Side effects last 3 months and the amount of delay in relapse is 3, 9 or 42 months, depending on changes present in the tumor. For patients with benefits about equal to harms, we worked with patient partners to make a decision aid which helps them decide if a PARPi is right for them.  We will show that tumor testing is valuable to patients and it should be an approved standard.  We will expand enrollment to patients in other provinces and include patients with rare subtypes and those who progress on chemotherapy.  These patients will have access to  testing, organoid development and drug-screening, which will provide key therapeutic insights in terms of treatment options. Principal Investigator/Supervisor: Dr. Laura Hopkins

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) self-sampling for primary cervical cancer screening in underserved Saskatchewan people

• Among Saskatchewan’s underserved populations cervical cancer screening rates are dismal and are estimated as low as 19%. More than 90% of cervical cancers are caused by the Human papillomavirus (HPV), and screening for HPV can be achieved using a self-collected vaginal swab as an alternative to the conventional PAP test, which requires women to book an appointment, go to a clinic and have the procedure done by a medical professional. While for some, this is a routine visit to their local family doctor, women who do not have a family doctor, do not live near a clinic or do not understand the risk associated with skipping PAP tests, are at higher risk of undiagnosed HPV and potentially life ending cancer. The purpose of the study is to examine the potential to use self-administered swabs to increase cervical cancer screening rates in Saskatchewan. By improving screening in this population, we also expect increased early detection of strains associated with a high risk of cancer. Principal Investigator/Supervisor: Dr. Jennifer Brown Broderick 

• HPV Study