Dr. Alda Aleksi represents a powerful blend of scientific excellence, clinical leadership, and cultural pride. Born in Albania and now based in Calgary, Canada, she is one of the rare physicians whose career bridges three complex fields: cardiology, oncology, and molecular imaging-driven PRRT.
Currently a Medical Oncologist at the Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, Dr. Aleksi leads one of Alberta’s largest clinical programs focused on neuroendocrine and endocrine tumors (NETs/ETs). Her commitment to personalized care is matched by her groundbreaking contributions to public health, including Alberta’s first NET Awareness Campaign, the province’s first NET/ET patient registry, and the founding of the Canadian Cancer Theranostics Foundation. Beyond the clinic, she is a dedicated researcher, educator, and advocate, with a body of work spanning cardiovascular biomarkers, radionuclide therapies, and clinical outcomes for rare cancers. Her publications, grant-funded studies, and international speaking engagements have made her a respected voice in global oncology circles.
For the Albanian diaspora, Dr. Aleksi shines as an inspiration, a woman who carries her roots with pride while driving meaningful change in one of the world’s most complex medical fields. For Canada, she is a vital force, helping shape the future of cancer care with compassion, brilliance, and unstoppable dedication.
Dr. Aleksi is not only advancing medicine, she is redefining what it means to be a modern, global physician: deeply skilled, endlessly curious, and profoundly human.
Transforming Cancer Treatment
Dr. Alda Aleksi (MD, MSc, FRCPC) is a leading Medical Oncologist at the Arthur Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary, with a specialized focus on neuroendocrine tumors, thoracic malignancies, theranostics, and cardio-oncology. With triple board certifications and international training, she is at the forefront of personalized cancer care and research, pioneering initiatives like Alberta’s First NET awareness Campaign, Alberta’s First Comprehensive NET & ET Database, and first Canadian Cancer Theranostic Foundation.
As a clinician, researcher, and educator, Dr. Aleksi continues to shape the future of oncology through innovation, advocacy, and leadership.
Dr. Aleksi is a physician-scientist with cross-disciplinary expertise in cardiology, oncology, and molecular imaging. She earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and completed specialty training in Cardiology in Europe, where she also obtained board certification as Cardiologist. During this time, she pursued a postgraduate fellowship and a Master of Clinical Sciences with a concentration in advanced cardiac imaging, with a particular focus on non-invasive modalities for cardiovascular disease assessment.
Bringing Humanity to Modern Medicine
After relocating to Canada, Dr. Aleksi completed residency training in Internal Medicine and subspecialty training in Medical Oncology at the University of Calgary. She holds dual board certifications in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology (FRCPC) from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. She further advanced her specialization through two clinical fellowships—one in Thoracic and Neuroendocrine Tumors, and another in Theranostics and Cardio-Oncology—integrating cancer care with molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapy. She refined her expertise in Theranostics through sub-specialized training, undertaking advanced studies in Edmonton, Alberta, and extending her PRRT professional development internationally in Michigan, USA.
Dr. Alda Aleksi is advancing neuroendocrine tumor (NET) care in Alberta, by launching the province’s first NET awareness campaign, established its inaugural patient advocacy committee, and created philanthropic programs to sustain these efforts. She also spearheaded Alberta’s first comprehensive NET and ET registry, which is now expanding nationally through PLANET Canada—the first pan-Canadian NET registry of its kind.
In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Aleksi serves as Founder and President of the Canadian Cancer Theranostics Foundation (CCTF) and as Program Lead for the NET Theranostics initiative in Calgary, where she is helping bring precision radiopharmaceutical therapies into clinical use. She is a sought-after speaker at conferences and events across provincial, national, and international platforms. Dr. Aleksi is an active member of several leading national and international professional organizations, including ENETS, ASCO, ESMO, CAMO, ICOS and CommNETS, and contributes to Canadian clinical guideline development, radionuclide working groups and multiple national advisory boards.
Canadian Cancer Theranostics Foundation
From Heart to Hope
Dr. Aleksi’s Groundbreaking Work in Cancer Theranostics/ Canadian Cancer Theranostics Foundation …is a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming cancer care through theranostics—a cutting-edge approach that combines diagnostics and targeted therapy. With an initial focus on neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer, CCTF is expanding its scope to include novel applications for other cancers and non-cancer conditions like cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. The foundation’s mission includes raising awareness, improving access to treatments, advancing education, supporting research and clinical trials, and fostering national and international collaborations, all with the goal of improving patient outcomes and quality of life through precision oncology.
Her early academic research background includes translational work at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, exploring endothelial vascular biomarkers such as: FMD(flow mediated dilation), VTI(velocity time integral), CIMT(carotid intima media thickness), etc..
Her current research is centered on theranostic applications in oncology, particularly clinical outcomes of PRRT in both Ga-68 PET– positive and –negative advanced G1–G3 gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs).
Dr. Aleksi has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications across cardiovascular and oncologic disciplines and is a recipient of several competitive research grants. She remains actively engaged in both clinical trials and translational studies. With a career bridging cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and nuclear oncology, Dr. Aleksi continues to advance the field of precision oncology—positioning herself at the forefront of cancer theranostics research and implementation in Canada and internationally.
C3 Summit Davos of Healthcare
Dr. Aleksi is an avid national and international speaker. She is frequently invited to present at journal clubs, provincial and national conferences, and international events.
She presented on the topic of personalized oncology during the 2024 C3 Summit in New York.
She is also invited to lead the panel on precision oncology and theranostics during the upcoming C3 Summit in Tokyo, Japan, in September 2025
Dr. Aleksi at the 2024 Davos NY Meeting
Dr. Alda Aleksi is a Medical Oncologist at Alberta Health Services, currently working at the Arthur J. E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre (formerly Tom Baker Cancer Centre). She specializes in neuroendocrine tumors (NET), head and neck malignancies, theranostics, and cardio-oncology. Dr. Aleksi is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oncology, Division of Medical Oncology at the University of Calgary. Her research interests include theranostics, databanks, and clinical trials. She has published case reports on rare neuroendocrine tumors, including a unique case of metastatic recurrent neuroendocrine tumor in a transplanted liver patient. Dr. Aleksi was named a NET Research Grant Recipient in 2025 and is a member of the Arnie Charbonneau Cancer Institute. Her clinical expertise is demonstrated through her work with complex cancer cases requiring multidisciplinary approaches, including systemic therapies, liver-directed procedures, and advanced treatments like radionuclide therapy with Lu177-Dotatate.
Leadership Contributions CCTF Founder and President NPC National Expert Panel Theranostic National Expert Panel NET & ET Registry National Co-Lead NET Theranostic Provincial Steering Committee Theranostic Script Concordance National Program by Novartis Theranostic National Consensus Statement for PRRT in GEP-NETs. Provincial PPL/PPGL Guideline Committee Provincial RLT Working Group, etc.
Bridging Hearts and Healing A Leader in Precision Cancer Theranostics
Her academic research background includes translational work at the Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, focusing on endothelial dysfunction and vascular biomarkers. Her current research is centered in Theranostics, a subspecialty field that will see an incredible expansion in the next decade. Radiotheranostics holds enormous promise for the future of cancer management with an anticipated exponential growth in the global market, a testament to the potential benefits it could offer to patients worldwide. This segment elucidates her upcoming research contributions that aim to help enhance the local success of radiotheranostics.
• Development of the first provincial database for Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) and Endocrine Tumors (ETs), with an ambitious plan to expand this initiative into a national platform—PLANET Canada. This will represent the first database of its kind at such a scale within the country. • A meta-analysis evaluating clinical outcomes post PRRT in Ga-68 positive Grade 1–3 GEP-NETs, stratified by FDG PET status at baseline (FDG-positive vs. FDG-negative). • A long-term safety review of extended PRRT treatment using more than four cycles (up to 12) of Lu-177 Dotatate in patients with G1–G3 GEP-NETs, across cohorts in both Canada and Australia. • A comprehensive literature review examining the outcomes of PRRT in metastatic breast cancer, with a focus on molecular targets of potential therapeutic interest.
Dr. Aleksi has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications across cardiovascular and oncologic disciplines and is a recipient of several competitive research grants. She remains actively engaged in both clinical trials and translational studies. With a career bridging cardiovascular medicine, oncology, and nuclear imaging, Dr. Aleksi continues to advance the field of precision oncology—positioning herself at the forefront of cancer theranostics research and implementation in Canada and internationally.
CNETS CONTRIBUTIONS
– Member of CNETS SMAB (Scientific and Medical Advisory Board) – Collaborating with CNETS in scaling the NET&ET Database into a pan Canadian initiative. – 2025 CNETS Research Grant Recipient – 2025 CNETS Patients Conference Presenter
First Comprehensive NET & ET Tumor Database, Phase 1
Neuroendocrine and endocrine tumors (NETs & ETs) are a complex group of cancers that remain poorly understood despite decades of research. The lack of comprehensive data, heterogeneity, indolent biology, and nonspecific presentations has contributed to this gap. Although once considered rare, the incidence of NETs/ETs has risen dramatically, making them one of the fastest-growing tumor types worldwide. This surge is primarily attributed to advancements in diagnostic methods and molecular imaging technologies.
Globally, NET incidence has doubled from 4.90 per 100,000 in 2000 to 8.19 per 100,000 in 2018, with higher rates observed in Europe and North America compared to Asia (1). Most of these data represent gastro-entero-pancreatic NETs (GEP-NETs) and bronchial and thymic carcinoids, while other subgroups such as: thyroid cancers, adrenal carcinomas, malignant paragangliomas, pheochromocytomas, rare subtypes, are usually excluded and remain underrepresented.
Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are often inaccurately categorized based on their site of origin (e.g., pancreatic NETs grouped with pancreatic tumors, gastrointestinal NETs with colorectal tumors, etc.), rather than their biological characteristics. This misclassification significantly underrepresents the true NET population and can result in delayed or inappropriate workup and treatment of these patients.
Dr. Alda Aleksi: Shining a Light on the “Forgotten Tumour”
By Fabian Mayer | Photography by Jared Sych | Originally published in LEAP Magazine *
As a passionate advocate for patient-centered care and scientific innovation, Dr. Alda Aleksi is at the forefront of advancing awareness and treatment of neuroendocrine and endocrine tumors (NETs and ETs) in Alberta and beyond. A medical oncologist at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre and clinical assistant professor at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, Dr. Aleksi is a national leader in the specialized field of neuroendocrine oncology. Often referred to as the “forgotten tumour,” NETs and ETs are uniquely complex. Unlike many cancers that originate in a single organ—like the breast or lung—these tumors arise from neuroendocrine cells, which are distributed throughout the body. “That’s what makes NETs and ETs so distinct,” explains Dr. Aleksi. “They can originate in multiple organs, most commonly the gut, pancreas, lung, or thyroid. Some of them also secrete excess hormones, disrupting endocrine balance.” Because symptoms tend to be subtle—or entirely absent—many NETs are diagnosed late, often during imaging for unrelated health concerns. “These tumors are insidious,” Dr. Aleksi says. “They tend to remain silent until they’re advanced. And unfortunately, we don’t have routine screening for them.” Despite common assumptions, NETs are not as rare as they once seemed. “I call them ‘forgotten,’ not ‘rare,’” she emphasizes. “The global incidence of NETs has more than doubled in less than two decades, largely due to improved imaging and detection.”
At the Frontlines of Neuroendocrine Cancer Care
Dr. Aleksi treats over 100 NET and ET patients each year, but what’s most encouraging is the significant progress in treatment options—particularly in Alberta. “Surgery is the first line of treatment when the tumour is localized. For advanced NETs, hormone therapy is standard, and now we have additional systemic options such as targeted therapies and chemotherapy.” One of the most promising recent developments is peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT)—a targeted radiotherapy that delivers radiation directly to cancer cells using a peptide-labeled radioactive compound. In February 2025, Alberta became one of the few provinces in Canada to fund PRRT through public healthcare. “We’re thrilled to offer this at the Arthur Child Centre,” says Dr. Aleksi. “It’s a major leap forward for our patients.” Through her clinical work, teaching, research, and advocacy, Dr. Aleksi continues to raise awareness about NETs and push for improved access to diagnostics and therapies. Her work reflects a deep commitment to personalized cancer care and to ensuring that even lesser-known diseases receive the attention they deserve.
* This article was originally published in the Spring 2025 Edition of LEAP, the official magazine of the Alberta Cancer Foundation / Writer: Fabian Mayer / Photography: Jared Sych https://albertacancer.ca/leap-magazine/raising-awareness-of-neuroendocrine-and-endocrine-tumours/
