Skip to main content

CCTG year in review: 2025 accomplishments and 2026 strategic priorities

Dr Janet Dancey CCTG year in review: 2025 accomplishments and 2026 strategic priorities

Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG)
Year in Review: 2025 Accomplishments and 2026 Strategic Priorities

Dear Colleagues,

2025 was marked by scientific excellence, operational achievement, and renewed national and international recognition of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group’s leadership in academically driven cancer clinical trials. These accomplishments are a direct result of the extraordinary commitment of our investigators, site teams, patient partners, and staff across the CCTG network.

Major funding successes

The year began with notable success in the 2024 Fall/2025 Spring CIHR Project Grant competitions. SC.30 (RATIONAL) was awarded nearly $1.2M over four years to address treatment strategies for patients with hematologic malignancies and low antibody levels; PAC.5 received $742K to evaluate lanreotide for prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula; and SR.8 (HARMONY) received nearly $1.5M to address an important unmet need in high-risk soft-tissue sarcoma. We successfully submitted our US National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) grant renewal application, which has successfully undergone scientific review, we are now awaiting final decision.

Trial activation and portfolio growth

Trial activities remained strong in 2025, with 166 trials in the CCTG portfolio and 56 open to accrual, including 7 new trials successfully opened, across disease sites. A total of 1359 patients were accrued to CCTG trials in Canada and internationally. Among the scientifically and clinically important trials activated in 2025, ME.17, represents CCTG’s first among the largest randomized clinical trial to date investigating fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in combination with immune checkpoint blockade for advanced melanoma. This study leverages the laboratory and clinical expertise and capabilities in microbiome and FMT research at Université de Montréal-affiliated hospital research centre (CRCHUM) and at London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) demonstrating CCTG’s ability to lead complex multicentre randomized trials.

Workforce development and training

Capacity building across the network continued, with 116 new investigators and 246 new CRAs joining CCTG. The CRA Lunch and Learn program delivered five highly attended sessions, engaging 918 CRAs and providing practical training on trial activation and conduct. Based on strong feedback, this program will continue in 2026. CCTG’s New Investigator Cancer Trials Practicum has invited applications for its 2026 cohort, and the biannual New Investigator Clinical Trials Course will be held in 2026. Finally, two new education programs will be offered in 2026 - the VISION Program offering leadership training to the next generation of research leaders, and the Investigational New Drug (IND) Early Clinical Trial Education Program. 

Knowledge generation and scientific impact

CCTG trials generated substantial scientific output in 2025, with 78 abstracts presented and 50 publications, including 7 primary trial reports. Highlights include MA.40 FINER, presented at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting, which demonstrated the importance of targeting the AKT pathway in advanced ER+/HER2- breast cancer; GA.3 INTEGRATE II, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, which showed regorafenib improves survival compared with placebo in refractory advanced gastric and esophagogastric junction cancer;  CO.28 correlative study, presented at GI ASCO 2025, demonstrating the potential of tumour-free circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as a decision tool to support organ preservation in node-negative rectal cancer; and the CO.29 DYNAMIC-III primary analysis of the ctDNA-negative cohort, presented at the 2025 European Society of Medical Oncology Congress and published in Nature Medicine, which may help guide future prospective studies and could potentially inform individualized risk−benefit discussions in patients with locally advanced colon cancer.

The global impact of academically led research was further highlighted by the international recognition of CO.21 (CHALLENGE). This world-first trial demonstrated that a structured exercise program significantly improves survival for patients with stage III colon cancer following standard surgery and adjuvant therapy by reducing recurrence and the development of new primary cancers. Spanning 17 years, CHALLENGE has transformed understanding of supportive care, establishing exercise as a life-extending intervention and shaping supportive care guidelines worldwide. The CO.21 publication was recently chosen by the NEJM editors as one of their top articles of 2025.

Advancing health equity and patient partnership

Equity, diversity, and inclusion continued to be embedded across CCTG activities.

Advancing health equity and patient partnership remained central. We welcomed Dr. Caroline Hamm and Dr. Julie My Van Nguyen to the Health Equity Committee as Health Equity Leads supporting the CCTG-led PR.25 and HN.13 trials. We also welcomed four new patient representatives—Catherine Caule, Lesley Beaton, Darren Frew, and Tracey Kitz—who will support upcoming gastrointestinal and hematology studies. 

Recognition of excellence

We extend a special congratulations to Dr. Lesley Seymour, CCTG IND Program Director and Deputy Chair, who was named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. Election to the Academy is among the highest honours in Canadian health sciences and recognizes her exceptional contributions to cancer clinical trials methodology and leadership. Also Dr. Tim Whelan, past co-chair of CCTG’s Breast Site Committee and chair of MA.39, named an Officer of the Order of Canada and Dr. Natasha Leighl, past co-chair of the CCTG’s Committee on Economic Analysis and chair of BR.34, awarded the 2025 ESMO Women for Oncology Award.

Looking ahead: Key strategic objectives for 2026

Building on the strong foundation established in 2025, CCTG’s strategic focus for 2026 will include:

  • Finalizing the CCTG’s 2027-2032 strategic plan with network input.
  • Sustaining and expanding CIHR and peer-reviewed funding success for trials, particularly for phase III and practice-changing trials and the renewals of the NCTN and CCS program grants.
  • Accelerating trial activation and accrual, with continued emphasis on innovative designs, translational integration, and efficient study start-up.
  • Strengthening workforce development, including expanded CRA and investigator training, mentorship, and leadership development.
  • Embedding health equity and patient partnership across trial design, conduct, and evaluation.
  • Enhancing national and international collaboration, positioning CCTG as a global leader in academically-led cancer clinical trials.

On behalf of CCTG leadership and staff, thank you for your continued dedication, collaboration, and commitment. Together, we are advancing evidence that improves outcomes and quality of life for people with cancer in Canada and around the world.

With sincere appreciation and highest regards,

Janet