Clinical trials expansion

New approaches to clinical trials; increases access and builds capability

Increasing clinical trials into more cancer disciplines and providing expanded patient access to trials and clinical research enables faster translation of research to care.

The VCCC continues to lead the change in Australia’s clinical trial landscape to improve access, capability and awareness. The alliance has implemented innovative approaches and broadened access to trials and trial methods; developing the trial workforce and expanding disciplines.

Broadening and diversifying trial focus

Clinical trials in radiotherapy, palliative care, surgery, dietetics and anaesthesiology are underway with support from the VCCC Investigator-Initiated Trial Capacity Building Program. The breadth and depth of these investigator-initiated trials will improve treatment standards, introduce new fields to clinical trials and increase our knowledge for better patient care.

Leveraged funding: $7.2MTo date, 11 trials have been supported through the program with a total of 6,500 potential international and national patient enrolments and $7.2 million in leveraged funding.

Particular emphasis has been placed on palliative care, where trials provide evidence-based outcomes to improve quality-of-life. Through the VCCC Building Trial Group Capability Program, a palliative care clinical trials group has been established across the alliance, capitalising on Victoria’s expertise in the field and developing an area that has great potential for clinical trial investment.

Access from your door

Patients with cancer living in a regional area have long travel times to access clinical trialsGenerally, clinical trials are only accessible from large metropolitan hospitals, meaning patients living in regional and rural locations are required to travel to access trial treatment. The VCCC Teletrial Program uses a hub and spoke model to provide trial treatment beyond the primary hospital. The alliance has worked closely with clinicians, trial and hospital staff and patients to implement rigorous procedures, train staff and connect technologies.

Increasing the number of trials available at regional and rural locations enables patients to access clinical trial therapies closer to home. It has positive impacts on recruitment, retention and data collection, while decreasing trial costs and travel time for patients. The first regional patient was enrolled in a trial using the teletrial model in October 2018.

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