Skip to main content

Canadian Cancer Trials Group awarded $23.5M over five years

Canadian Cancer Society supports high quality, innovative clinical trial research

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has renewed its commitment to the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) through a major funding award of $23.5 million over 5 years. This generous funding allows CCTG to continue its world-class cancer clinical trials research.

“Since 1980, the Canadian Cancer Society has supported the great work at CCTG by investing nearly $130 million, which is the largest investment in our research portfolio,” says Lynne Hudson, CCS President, and CEO. “We continue to support CCTG because of their track record of success. They have set the bar for the safest, most effective cancer clinical trials research in Canada and improved the worldwide standard of care for patients with cancer.”

“The Canadian Cancer Society’s reinvestment in CCTG is fundamental to its ability to improve patient outcomes for Canadians,” says Richard Reznick, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. “The CCTG team have proven themselves as world-renowned scientists, and we are thrilled to have partners like CCS championing this cutting-edge research and innovation network.”

The decision to award the funding was supported by a comprehensive review process. An international multi-disciplinary scientific team independently evaluated the group’s processes, strengths, weaknesses, and potential future impact.

“The review panel was impressed by our research accomplishments, new treatments for patients, our plans for new trials testing precision medicine, supportive care and demonstrating value,” says Janet Dancey, CCTG Director. “I am very pleased that we received a stellar evaluation from our peers.”

CCTG, in partnership with CCS, has built an internationally recognized collaborative research and innovation network spanning 80 institutions across Canada. Their outlook on cooperative science and proven strengths have led to global collaborations resulting in groundbreaking research. Currently, the group is investigating new treatment approaches such as precision medicine that customizes care based on an individual’s genetics, environment or lifestyle.

"One thing I learned during my cancer journey is that every patient is different and reacts differently to treatment, which is why it is so important that we increase knowledge of the genetics and biology of this disease,” says Judy Needham, a cancer survivor. “The clinical trial research that is underway at CCTG will enable more precise and effective treatments for patients like me in the future.”