The Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) has been awarded $25 million (more than $19 million USD) from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The only non-American partner to receive direct funding to conduct trials, the monies will allow CCTG to continue its work leading major cancer clinical trials in Canada and develop new large-scale trials under CCTG leadership.

Headquartered at Queen’s University, CCTG is a cancer clinical trials research cooperative that runs Phase I to III trials to test anti-cancer and supportive therapies at over 85 institutions across Canada and internationally.

“This renewed funding will continue the U.S.-Canadian research collaboration and allow CCTG to take the lead on a number of important trials over the next few years,” says Janet Dancey, Director of CCTG. “Global partnerships like this one allow CCTG to bring cutting-edge international clinical trials to Canadian cancer patients, helping to prolong and improve the quality of life of those living with cancer.”

Working with U.S. investigators, within the National Clinical Trials Network, enables larger-scale clinical studies to be available to more patients and delivers definitive practice-changing results, more quickly. This collaborative approach supports the increasing need for targeted research into rare cancers and the clinical testing of precision medicine strategies that require individualized treatment processes.

CCTG has successfully obtained funding from the NCI since 1997, as a key clinical trials partner in the former U.S. Cooperative Group Program and now with the NCTN.

“Thanks to support from partners such as the NIH and NCI, CCTG is an international leader in advancing both trial practices and cancer treatments,” says Kimberly Woodhouse, Interim Vice-Principal (Research).  “Strong research collaborations, both within Queen's and among partner institutions, are critical to their success in addressing this devastating disease."

For more information, visit the CCTG website.