Wednesday, May 07, 2025 The 2025 CCTG Spring Meeting of Participants wrapped up with a record 941 members attending. This dynamic gathering helped shape our future research agenda and celebrated many achievements across our network.Welcome CRAs to the second Training Practicum Workshop and New Investigators to the CCTG Spring MeetingHeld the day before the main event, our second CRA Training Practicum Workshop welcomed 55 CRAs from 42 sites for a full day of practical, hands-on training in the activation and conduct of CCTG studies. A strong start to what will become an annual tradition!Once again, new investigators nominated by their centres enjoyed their first CCTG Spring meeting with an impressive 25 attending.Plenary Session: Spotlight on InnovationThis year’s Plenary Session featured impactful updates from four CCTG-led trials:Dr. Stephen Chia – MA40 FINER - Fulvestrant and Ipatasertib for Advanced HER-2 Negative and Estrogen Receptor Positive (ER+) Breast Cancer Following Progression on First Line CDK 4/6 Inhibitor and Aromatase InhibitorDr. Glen Goss – BR31 A Phase III Prospective Double-Blind Placebo Controlled Randomized Study of Adjuvant MEDI4736 in Completely Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – Disease-Free Survival ResultsDr. Scott Bratman – HN10 EVADER - A Phase II Single Arm Trial of Elective Volume Adjusted De-Escalation Radiotherapy in Patients with Low-risk HPV-related Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell CarcinomaDr. Chris Booth – CO32 CHALLENGE - A Phase III Study of the Impact of a Physical Activity Program on Disease-Free Survival in Patients with High-Risk Stage II or Stage III Colon Cancer: A Randomized Controlled TrialCongratulations to the excellent presenters and the trial leaders and teams across participating centers.Celebrating Excellence: 2024 Award RecipientsWe proudly recognized individual and team excellence in clinical trials:Individual AwardsJoseph Pater Founder’s Award: Dr. Rebecca WongRalph Meyer Phase III Young Investigator Award: Dr. Rachel GlicksmanElizabeth Eisenhauer Drug Development Young Investigator Award: Dr. Moira RushtonExcellence in Clinical Trials Conduct: Iryna Sokolenko and Judy Needham Team AwardsIND Program Award: CHU de Québec – Hôpital L’Enfant-Jésus - CCTG IND.244: A Phase 2 Study of Ibrutinib Combination Therapy in Transplant Ineligible Individuals with Newly Diagnosed Primary Central Nervous System LymphomaCCTG-Led Trial Award: Odette Cancer Centre CCTG PR.24: Androgen Suppression Combined with Elective Nodal Irradiation and Dose Escalated Prostate Treatment: A Non-Inferiority, Phase III Randomized Controlled Trial of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy versus Brachytherapy Boost in Patients with Unfavourable Risk Localized Prostate Cancer (ASCENDE-SBRT)Intergroup-Led Trial Award: Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre CCTG ALC.7: myeloMATCH, Master Screening and Reassessment ProtocolSupporting Future Leaders: New Investigator PracticumWe celebrated the graduation of the 2024 cohort and welcomed our largest-ever class of 12 new investigators to the Cancer Trials Practicum. Their enthusiasm and expertise will fuel the future of cancer research in Canada.2024 Maria Ricci LectureThank you to Dr. Jim Woodget, President and Scientific Director of the Terry Fox Research Institute, Canada and the Marathon of Hope Cancer Centres Network for his engaging lecture on data sharing and sustainability—an inspiring vision for collaborative research.With GratitudeThis meeting’s success would not have been possible without our dedicated Meeting Team. A sincere thank you to Anne, Hilary, and Drishti for your outstanding coordination and tireless efforts.Final WordTogether, we are shaping the future of cancer care—uniting research, innovation, and community to deliver real hope to patients across the country. As noted at the General Meeting, Our mission, Solving Cancer Together, really is possible.
