- Overview
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Precision oncology presents an opportunity to improve standard care cancer treatment. Broadening access to precision oncology innovations such as multi-gene panels and whole-genome and transcriptome analysis can enhance cancer prevention strategies, diagnostic accuracy, treatment selection, and patient wellbeing. Owing to the rarity of individual cancers and small benefiting patient populations, more evidence is needed to help patients and healthcare providers use genomic information to improve patient length and quality of life. These include clinical evaluations, economic evaluations, and studies that identify patient and family preferences for cancer care. My research program seeks to generate evidence that patients, caregivers, and decision makers can use to determine the appropriate and timely use of oncology and precision oncology services and technologies.
- Publications
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Clinical Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of Multigene Panel Sequencing in Advanced Melanoma: A Population-Level Real-World Target Trial Emulation
JCO Precision Oncology
Emanuel Krebs and Deirdre Weymann and Cheryl Ho and Alison Weppler and Ian Bosdet and Aly Karsan and Timothy P. Hanna and Samantha Pollard and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1200/PO-24-00631
04/2025Heuristics Identified in Health Data–Sharing Preferences of Patients With Cancer: Qualitative Focus Group Study
Journal of Medical Internet Research
Anna Hermansen and Samantha Pollard and Kimberlyn McGrail and Nick Bansback and Dean A Regier
DOI: 10.2196/63155
12/2024“I Just Assumed This Was Already Being Done”: Canadian Patient Preferences for Enhanced Data Sharing for Precision Oncology
JCO Precision Oncology
Samantha Pollard and Morgan Ehman and Anna Hermansen and Deirdre Weymann and Emanuel Krebs and Cheryl Ho and Howard J. Lim and Steven Jones and Yvonne Bombard and Timothy P. Hanna and Chiquita Hessels and Holly Longstaff and Robert Cook-Deegan and Tania Bubela and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1200/PO.24.00184
08/2024Heuristics Identified in Health Data–Sharing Preferences of Patients With Cancer: Qualitative Focus Group Study (Preprint)
Anna Hermansen and Samantha Pollard and Kimberlyn McGrail and Nick Bansback and Dean A Regier
DOI: 10.2196/preprints.63155
06/2024Development and early-stage evaluation of a patient portal to enhance familial communication about hereditary cancer susceptibility testing: A patient-driven approach
Health Expectations
Samantha Pollard and Deirdre Weymann and Rosalie Loewen and Jennifer Nuk and Sophie Sun and Kasmintan A. Schrader and Chiquita Hessels and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13702
04/2023A perspective on life-cycle health technology assessment and real-world evidence for precision oncology in Canada
npj Precision Oncology
Dean A. Regier and Samantha Pollard and Melanie McPhail and Tania Bubela and Timothy P. Hanna and Cheryl Ho and Howard J. Lim and Kelvin Chan and Stuart J. Peacock and Deirdre Weymann
DOI: 10.1038/s41698-022-00316-1
10/2022Developing Data Sharing Models for Health Research with Real-World Data: A Scoping Review of Patient and Public Preferences
Journal of Medical Systems
Anna Hermansen and Dean A. Regier and Samantha Pollard
DOI: 10.1007/s10916-022-01875-3
10/2022Toward the diagnosis of rare childhood genetic diseases: what do parents value most?
European Journal of Human Genetics
Samantha Pollard and Deirdre Weymann and Jessica Dunne and Fatemeh Mayanloo and John Buckell and James Buchanan and Sarah Wordsworth and Jan M. Friedman and Sylvia Stockler-Ipsiroglu and Nick Dragojlovic and Alison M. Elliott and Mark Harrison and Larry D. Lynd and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00882-1
10/2021Correction to: Toward the diagnosis of rare childhood genetic diseases: what do parents value most?
European Journal of Human Genetics
Samantha Pollard and Deirdre Weymann and Jessica Dunne and Fatemeh Mayanloo and John Buckell and James Buchanan and Sarah Wordsworth and Jan M. Friedman and Sylvia Stockler-Ipsiroglu and Nick Dragojlovic and Alison M. Elliott and Mark Harrison and Larry D. Lynd and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-00925-7
10/2021Genetic testing for hereditary cancer syndromes: patient recommendations for improved risk communication
Health Expectations
Samantha Pollard and Steve Kalloger and Deirdre Weymann and Sophie Sun and Jennifer Nuk and Kasmintan A. Schrader and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1111/hex.13062
08/2020Balancing uncertainty with patient autonomy in precision medicine
Nature Reviews Genetics
Samantha Pollard and Sophie Sun and Dean A. Regier
DOI: 10.1038/s41576-019-0111-9
05/2019 - Research
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PAtient-driven Cancer Trials (PACT): The development of a patient-centred clinical trial design framework for precision oncology
In response to an increasing need for robust evidence enabling regulatory, reimbursement and clinical decision making, clinical trials are increasingly pivoting to patient-oriented approaches centered on acceptable data collection and valued outcomes measurement, driven by the perspectives of those asked to participate. PACT is using qualitative methods followed by a modified-Delphi process involving patients, caregivers and other health system interest holders to develop and refine a patient-driven clinical trial design framework that directly, iteratively, and meaningfully embeds patient and caregiver perspectives.GrantsPrincipal Investigator. PAtient-driven Cancer Trials (PACT): The development of a patient-centred clinical trial design framework for precision oncology. Funding Source: Terry Fox Research Institute Marathon of Hope Cancer Centers Network, Patient Voices in Research Initiative
Co-investigator. Canadian Network for Learning Healthcare Systems and Cost-Effective ‘Omics Innovation. Funding Source: Genome BC and Genome Canada
Co-investigator. Precision Oncology Evidence Development in Cancer Treatment (PREDiCT). Funding Source: Canadian Personalized Healthcare Innovation Network & Roche.
Co-investigator. Towards patient-centred precision oncology care for children and youth: Understanding psychosocial impacts and experiences through patient and professional perspectives. Funder: Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Honours & Awards2021 - Editor's Choice and Reader's Choice publication selection. European Journal of Human Genetics
2021 - Outstanding Trainee Publication: Health Services/Population Health Research. BC Cancer
2018 - Best Trainee Presentation Award. BC Cancer
2011 - Faculty of Medicine Graduate Award. UBC
Unlocking the mystery of nephrotic syndrome in kids: Q&A with new investigator Dr. Susan Samuel
Pediatric nephrologist Dr. Susan Samuel, a new investigator who joined BCCHR in September 2024, has been investigating ways to improve the quality of life of children diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. She is serving as the director for the ENRICH program, a national network of mentors and learners. We met Dr. Samuel to talk about the importance of research and mentorship.
