Research at the OICC
The OICC is an innovative research centre and integrative health care clinic. Our research is led by the Executive Director of the OICC who also serves as the Executive Director of Research & Clinical Epidemiology for the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM). Our research is jointly run with CCNM and other research partners to conduct clinical trials, observational studies, and synthesis research relating to complementary and integrative medicine for cancer.
Research Summaries for Integrative Therapies
To support informed decision-making, we are committed to developing evidence-based Research Summaries for Integrative Therapies, also called monographs, to summarize the safety and effectiveness of commonly used complementary therapies and natural health products in the context of cancer.
Here you will find the Research Summaries we have published to date. There are patient versions (a quick summary) as well as health professional versions (a longer, more detailed summary). We do our best to keep the monographs up to date, however be aware the monographs only encompass information known at the time of writing.
Patient Versions
Mistletoe (Viscum album) last updated January 2020
Intravenous Vitamin C last updated August 2019
Coriolus Versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) last updated October 2015
Dichloroacetate (DCA) last updated July 2015
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) last updated March 2014
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) last updated February 2014
Acupuncture last updated February 2014
Black Cohosh for Breast Cancer last updated February 2014
Flax for Breast Cancer last updated February 2014
Red Clover for Breast Cancer last updated February 2014
Soy for Breast Cancer last updated February 2014
Vitamin D for Breast Cancer last updated February 2014
Health Professional Versions
Mistletoe (Viscum album) last updated January 2020
Intravenous Vitamin C last updated July 2019
Coriolus Versicolor (Turkey Tail Mushroom) last updated October 2015
Acupuncture last updated February 2014
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) last updated January 2014
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) last updated January 2014
Dichloroacetate (DCA) last updated October 2013
Black Cohosh for Breast Cancer last updated August 2013
Flax for Breast Cancer last updated August 2013
Red Clover for Breast Cancer last updated August 2013
Soy for Breast Cancer last updated August 2013
Vitamin D for Breast Cancer last updated August 2013
Current OICC Research Studies
Study Status: Recruiting
The OICC and CCNM research have partnered with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute to create the first randomized clinical trial in North America studying the real-world effects of integrative care guided by a naturopathic doctor (ND) in patients with lung and gastro-esophageal cancers. Patients in this study will receive either recommendations from an ND alongside their conventional treatments (integrative group) or conventional care alone (control group). Outcome measures include quality of life, qualitative experience, adverse events, blood markers, and survival outcomes. Together with other clinics across Ontario, the study team will recruit and follow 350 participants over the next 10 years.
Clinical trials identifier: NCT02845479
Study Status: Recruiting
The OICC research team is evaluating the Inspire Now program – a support program for people living with lung cancer. 50 program participants will be recruited in order to determine if the program has an effect on the quality of life, specific concerns, and general wellbeing of the participants. Researchers are utilizing quantitative and qualitative methods to track participant experiences throughout the program. This study is currently active and recruiting with each program session; all who are eligible for the program are able to participate in this research study.
Study Status: Closed to Recruitment
Through a partnership with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, the OICC and CCNM research have conducted the first randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial studying the effects of melatonin in surgically resected lung cancer. With 8 sites across Canada, we were able to enrol 709 participants over a period of 10 years. Measured outcomes included the incidence of cancer recurrence, quality of life, sleep, fatigue, adverse events, and survival outcomes. This study is now closed to recruitment, and the manuscript is currently submitted for publication.
Clinical trials identifier: NCT00668707
Study Status: Closed to Recruitment
Working in partnership with Bastyr University, the OICC and CCNM research have initiated a North American study to explore the impact of advanced integrative care delivered by NDs for patients with advanced breast, colorectal, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer. 12 clinics across NA have recruited patients to participate in this prospective observational study to describe quality of life, costs, qualitative experiences, and survival outcomes. Recruitment is now complete, with 400 patients enrolled. Participants will continue to be followed until 2022.
Clinical trials identifier: NCT02494037
Study Status: Closed to Recruitment
This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the yoga therapy program offered at the OICC for improving autonomic nervous system functioning and patient-reported outcomes among cancer survivors. Anecdotal evidence suggests yoga therapy can help lower stress, increase body awareness, and feelings of empowerment; however, the effectiveness of this intervention in promoting autonomic nervous system functioning and improving patient-reported outcomes has not been empirically evaluated. Specifically, the study seeks to determine if there are changes in self-reported and objective autonomic nervous system functioning in cancer survivors before and after a one-on-one yoga therapy session, and after a 6 week group yoga therapy program, and whether these changes are maintained for 6 weeks after completion of the yoga program. This study is a collaborative effort between the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Center and the University of Ottawa.
Study Status: Closed to Recruitment
The OICC is a sub-site for a collaborative research study with InspireHealth in British Columbia. The purpose of the clinical trial is to study the therapeutic effect and safety of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in people with stage 4 (metastatic) colorectal cancer. Participants are randomized to high-dose vitamin D treatment or a control group. Recruitment for this study is completed.
Clinical trials identifier: NCT01150877
Research Team
Research Publications
Browse by Year
Intervention Development Process for a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial: The Thoracic Peri-Operative Integrative Surgical Care Evaluation Trial
Authors: Seely, D., Ennis, J.E., McDonell, E., et al.
Publication: Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Citedate: March 19, 2019
Citation: J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(S1):S112-S123.
PMID: 30870012
A systematic review of acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Li, K., Giustini, D., & Seely, D.
Publication: Current Oncology
Citedate: April 1, 2019
Citation: Curr Oncol. 2019 Apr;26(2):e147-e154.
PMID: 31043820
Chapter 5 of Women's Health and Complementary and Integrative Medicine: Women's cancers and complementary and integrative medicine
Authors: Schloss, J., Alschuler, L., & McDonell, E.
Citedate: 2019
Citation: In: Adams J, ed. Women's Health and Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Abingdon, UK: Routledge; 2019: 63-76
Editorial: The Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians Principles of Care Guidelines
Authors: Seely, D., & Verma, S.
Publication: Current Oncology
Citedate: February 1, 2019
Citation: Curr Oncol. 2019. Vol 26, No 1.
PMID: 30853791
Integrative Oncology: International Perspectives
Authors: Grant, S.J., Hunter, J., Seely, D., Balneaves, L.G., Rossi, E., & Bao, T.
Publication: Integrative Cancer Therapies
Citedate: January 30, 2019
Citation: Integr Cancer Ther. 2019. Jan-Dec;18
PMID: 30791736
Browse by Subject
Intravenous vitamin C in the supportive care of cancer patients: a review and rational approach
Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer: A Systematic Review
Browse by Methodology
Intravenous vitamin C in the supportive care of cancer patients: a review and rational approach
Authors: Klimant, E., Wright, H., D. Rubin, Seely, D. & Markman, M.
Publication: Current Oncology
Citedate: Monday, April 30, 2018
Citation: Curr Oncol. 2018 Apr; 25(2): 139–148.
PMID: 29719430
Decision-making about complementary and alternative medicine by cancer patients: integrative literature review
Authors: Weeks, L., Balneaves, L.G., Paterson, C., Verhoef, M.
Publication: Open Medicine
Affiliations: Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, University of British Columbia, University of Bristol, University of Calgary
Citedate: Monday, April 14, 2014
Citation: Open Med. 2014 Apr 15;8(2):e54-66
PMID: 25009685
A comparative review of thermography as a breast cancer screening technique
Authors: Kennedy, D., Lee, T., & Seely, D.
Affiliations:The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
Citedate: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Citation: Integrative Cancer Therapies 2009;8(1):9-16.
PMID: 19223370
A strategy for controlling potential interactions between natural health products and chemotherapy: a review in pediatric oncology
Authors:Seely, D., Stempak, D., & Baruchel, S.
Publication: Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Affiliations: Hospital for Sick Children
Citedate: Sunday, December 31, 2006
Citation:Journal Pediatric Hematol Oncol, 2007;29(1):32-47.
PMID: 17230065
Research Partners
To help achieve our goal to advance the practice of integrative oncology in Canada, the OICC has established partnerships with several local, national and international investigators and several research organizations.
Research Funders
The OICC gratefully acknowledges support of our research funders.
The primary goal of the Canadian Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research Fund (CCRF) is to increase and enhance complementary medicine research capacity in Canada by supporting and funding relevant and high caliber studies. Funding through the CCRF has being used to support two studies: 1) Towards Integrative Cancer Care: A Participatory, Formative Evaluation of Practitioner Integration at the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre; and 2) An n-of-1 study of homeopathic treatment of fatigue in patients receiving chemotherapy.
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s premier agency for health research. Funding through the CIHR has being used to support OICC efforts towards: Developing a Community-Based Integrative Oncology Research Program. CIHR funding has also helped support two large scale synthesis reviews on natural health products used by people with lung and breast cancer respectively and led to a number of open access publications.
Since their beginning nearly 20 years ago, the Gateway for Cancer Research has sought better treatment options for cancer patients—options that extend life, improve quality of life, and strive to cure people.
One of the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation's two major objectives is to support the investigation and support of complementary and alternative medicine, particularly in the treatment of cancer. Funding through the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation initially supported a multi-phase feasibility study that informed the development of the OICC model. In addition, the Hecht foundation is the main supporter of the multi-site Canadian trial, the Adjuvant Melatonin in the Prevention of Recurrence and Mortality Following Lung Cancer Resection: A Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial (AMPLCaRe). Their support is also behind two of the major research projects that the OICC is running including CUSIOS and TPOISE.
INCAM is a collaborative and interdisciplinary research community in Canada generating knowledge through research on complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine/health care* to enhance the health of Canadians.
Since its launch in 2004, INCAM has been instrumental in defining a CAM research community in Canada. Today, INCAM is the place to go for researchers, educators and practitioners who are interested in research which aims to address challenging questions in innovative ways in this emerging area of practice and research.
