The last decades have undoubtedly been the golden age of biomedical discovery. From the sequencing of the human genome to a better understanding of our immune systems, scientists have made discoveries, developed technologies and expanded understanding in ways that were unimaginable 50 years ago. These discoveries place us in an unprecedented time to improve patients’ lives. By translating basic findings into personalised, refined therapies, we stand at the cusp of an era of progress that will transform patient outcomes. Nowhere is this more evident than in the field of Oncology, where clinical trials continue to transform lives. Oncology clinical trial starts reached historically high levels in 2020, up 60% from 2015. This growth trajectory continues. Currently, there are more than 40 000 pharmaceutical clinical trials in cancer (https://www.globaldata.com/) and the world’s leading academic institutions are at the vanguard of this revolution in care. In Ireland, the Health Research Board’s Clinical Trials in Cancer Program supports Irish scientists and clinicians leading cancer trials.
This application seeks further support to develop cancer clinical trials in the West of Ireland. Our expert team, embedded in Ireland’s first Institute for Clinical Trials, comprises doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and scientists focused on delivering our vision of high-quality cancer trials. We will make a difference by conducting more trials, opening new sites where trials are delivered, and designing better, more patient-centric trials.
Cancer trials will further expand and refine over the coming years- We are at a time of unprecedented opportunity where the untreatable becomes manageable, side effects are eliminated, and quality of life is transformed. Our group is primed to play its part in delivering better outcomes for patients in our region, nationally and internationally.
