Research & Clinical Trials
Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRRCC) values the importance of
research to improve survival and quality of life for patients with cancer.
The Clinical Trials Department works with research partners, such as the
National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) and
pharmaceutical companies, to develop, as well as improve cancer treatments.
Cancer treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy,
supportive care, or a combination of treatments.
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a scientific research study used to test new
treatments and/or revise current standard treatments to improve future
health care.
Research into new treatments often takes many years to ensure they are safe and effective. Safety of all new treatments must be proven through clinical trials before they can be offered to patients as standard treatment.
All clinical trials offered to patients at GRRCC are reviewed and
approved by a Research Ethics Board (REB) before the start of a study and
assessed annually to ensure the safety of patients is monitored. The
Tri-Hospital Research Ethics Board (THREB) and/or Ontario Cancer Research
Ethics Board (OCREB) oversee all clinical trials at GRRCC . All research and
clinical trials involving medications must be approved by Health Canada.
Who participates in a clinical trial?
Each clinical trial has very specific rules about who may participate in a particular study. Patient participation in a clinical trial is voluntary and may provide more options for cancer treatment to the patients. Some trials may provide patient access to treatments when no other treatment options are available. The staff at the Cancer Centre will identify any patient who could participate.
If you are asked to participate in a study, your oncologist and a
research nurse will fully explain the study to you and give you time to
consider whether you wish to participate.
Current Clinical Trials at Grand River Regional Cancer Centre
All clinical trials at the GRRCC are listed with The Ontario Cancer
Research Network (OCRN). To see all GRRCC current trials, please visit:
http://www.ontariocancertrials.ca
For more information on research, please visit:
The Ontario Cancer Research Network at:
www.ocrn.on.ca
Cancer Care Ontario – Research & Statistics at:
http://www.cancercare.on.ca/index_statisticsandresearch.htm