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CCTG has a leading role on the world stage

Two CCTG trials chosen for the 2016 ASCO Plenary

Canadian Cancer Trials Group earned the unprecedented distinction of having two trials presented at the Plenary Session of the ASCO annual meeting on June 5th 2016.

The largest gathering of cancer researchers in the world assembles annually at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO) annual meeting. Each year, thousands of research teams apply to exhibit their findings—four of these submissions are chosen for the plenary session to represent the year’s most exciting cancer treatment breakthroughs. In 2016, two of the top four findings were led by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG). It was the first time any research group has taken two of the coveted top four positions. Those in the field of cancer research were not surprised.

“Go to any cancer meeting in the world and talk to any leading oncologist,” says Dr. Christopher Booth, a medical oncologist and CCTG collaborator. “They may not have heard of Kingston, Ontario, but they’ve definitely heard of CCTG.” The CE.6 presentation examined a new treatment for older patients with a type of brain cancer, glioblastoma. By adding temozolomide to a short course of radiation therapy it improved survival rates by 33 per cent.

The MA.17R presentation focused on treatment for patients with breast cancer. The study proved that taking letrozole for ten years instead of five reduced the risk of recurrence by 34 per cent. Findings presented as plenary studies were adopted as standard practice almost immediately in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices around the world. Two cancer trials conducted by the Queen’s University-based Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) and lead scientific investigators Chris O’Callaghan and Wendy Parulekar have been recognized as among the highest impact studies in the world. Please see the links below to find out more about these important trials.