06/23/2026
The Coburn Lab at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is currently looking for patients and cancer survivors who have been impacted by stomach cancer to participate in a SPARE-GC (Selective Preservation After Response in Gastric Cancer) International Delphi Consensus Expert Panel. They would be incredibly grateful to have your unique perspective on our expert panel, as they believe the patient and caregiver voice is essential to this work.
What is the study about?
Some stomach cancers have specific genetic markers called MSI-H or dMMR. Cancers with these markers respond incredibly well to immunotherapy—a treatment that helps the body's own immune system fight the disease. In fact, new research shows that for some of these patients, immunotherapy works so well that their tumors shrink dramatically or cannot be detected at all before they reach surgery. Non-surgical management is emerging as a potential treatment option for these carefully selected patients. Non-surgical management (sometimes called “watch and wait”) means that instead of proceeding to surgery to remove the stomach, patients who have responded well to immunotherapy are monitored closely over time. This involves regular check-ups and imaging scans, and endoscopies to ensure the cancer has not returned, but allows patients to (at least temporarily) avoid major surgery to remove the stomach.
Why do we need your help?
Non-surgical management is a promising option for carefully selected MSI-H/dMMR patients who respond well to immunotherapy, though the safest and most effective way to pursue it remains unclear. Our panel of international doctors and patient partners will work together to figure out the clinical scenarios and steps needed to safely guide long-term, non-surgical treatment of these patients.
What is your role?
As a patient or caregiver partner in this study, you will share ideas with healthcare providers and other patients/caregivers through rounds of discussion, and you will rate statements pertaining to the non-operative management of MSI-H/dMMR patients according to appropriateness and necessity.
Expectations and time commitments for the panelists
Panelists will be asked to:
● Complete two scoring surveys prior to each Delphi meeting (approximately 2 hours of work each), rating statements drawn from a scoping review of the literature review. Scoring will be based on appropriateness and necessity.
● Commit to reviewing reading materials, completing statement review and scoring surveys within the specified 2-week timeframe.
o Survey 1: July 1st, 2026 (deadline July 10th, 2026)
o Survey 2: August 3rd, 2026 (deadline August 13th, 2026)
● Attend two virtual Delphi panel meetings (via Zoom) to discuss and refine statements and scores (approximately 2 hours each).
(Panelists will only need to attend one session per meeting block)
Zoom meeting 1 (Select one) July 22 6:00-8:00 pm EST OR
July 23 7:00-9:00 am EST
Zoom meeting 2 (Select one) September 2 6:00-8:00 pm EST OR
September 3 7:00-9:00 am EST
In recognition of their intellectual contribution, all panelists will be acknowledged in resulting publications as co-authors under the group name "SPARE-GC Expert Panel.
What is the benefit of joining the Delphi Panel?
You will be reimbursed a $75 gift card for each 2-hour session, including 1) reviewing reading materials and attending Q&A zoom meetings; 2) participating in two Delphi Zoom meetings in recognition of your engagement and contribution.
Next Steps
Individuals who are interested in participation, please reply to ([email protected]) before June 30th, 2026.
