Andy and Helen Spriet, a local couple well known for their philanthropy efforts throughout the city, have made a donation of $1 million in support of Dr. Saman Maleki's pioneering immuno-oncology research at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
Immuno-oncology is the process of studying and developing treatments that use the body's immune system to help fight cancer, according to the London Health Sciences Foundation (LHSF) - the fundraising arm of the LHSC. Maleki's unconventional work has helped put LHSC on the world stage in this field.
"Our translational and clinical research is focused on activating a patient’s immune system against cancer by transforming their unhealthy gut microbiome with the gut microbiome of a healthy donor through a fecal microbiota transplant,” Maleki said. “We are aiming to improve patient outcomes by boosting their immune response to the treatments administered.”
Dr. Saman Maleki talks about his research as a $1 million donation is presented by Andy and Helen Spriet. Photo by Rebecca Chouinard.
The research has proven quite successful so far, according to Maleki. Patients with melanoma were included in the initial trial, which Maleki said is the very first of its kind.
"People start to realize the potential and power of the microbiome in effectively modulating the immune system. There’s now a lot of interest in that around the world," Maleki shared. International health professionals have reportedly been reaching out to the London-based scientist to talk about using his approach with their own patients.
In the next phase, Maleki's research team is interested in working with a larger cohort of patients and expanding to treat lung cancer, and possibly pancreatic cancer.
"This tremendous donation represents hope for thousands upon thousands of people - even if they don’t know it yet," said LHSF President and CEO John MacFarlane.
What inspired the Spriets to make this donation was a family history with cancer. Helen said her sister died from the disease before the age of 50. Now, Helen's niece - her late sister's daughter - is battling breast cancer. A cousin of Helen's also lost his wife and two sons to cancer.
“As an engineer and architect, I have always loved the excitement of building something,” Andy said. “When Helen and I saw what Saman was building with his program there was no question we wanted to invest in him and his research.”
The Spriets have been known to make generous donations to organizations throughout the London communuty, particularly those with a stake in healthcare, education, or the arts.
This $1 million donation is being regarded as "transformative" by LHSC and LHSF alike. Maleki said the gift will allow researchers to get straight to work, rather than waiting around for grant applications to go through.
On top of the Spriet family contribution, the Ontario Institutre for Cancer Research is also backing Maleki's immuno-oncology research.
More information on Maleki's research can be found online.