INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
Working with a number of co-operative groups
The AGITG has established international collaborations with a number of co-operative groups. This has allowed our members and patients from the Australasian region to participate in and contribute to clinical trials of international significance. A brief overview of the groups with which the AGITG collaborates is provided here.
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) – USA
Established in 1955, ECOG was one of the first co-operative groups to perform multi-centre cancer research. Funded primarily by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), ECOG has evolved from a five member consortium of institutions to one of the largest clinical cancer research organisations in the USA. Currently, ECOG has more than 90 active clinical trials in all types of adult cancers with around 6,000 people involved in ECOG-related research projects. The AGITG has contributed to six ECOG studies and continues to follow patients on these trials.
European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) - Europe
The aims of the EORTC are to conduct, develop, co-ordinate, and stimulate laboratory and clinical research in Europe and to improve the management of cancer and related problems by increasing survival but also quality of life of patients. The EORTC consists of 33 member sites and research area specific groups. The AGITG interacts with the Gastro-Intestinal Tract Cancer Group and the Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group.
Medical Research Council (MRC) - United Kingdom
The aims of the EORTC are to conduct, develop, co-ordinate, and stimulate laboratory and clinical research in Europe and to improve the management of cancer and related problems by increasing survival but also quality of life of patients. The EORTC consists of 33 member sites and research area specific groups. The AGITG interacts with the Gastro-Intestinal Tract Cancer Group and the Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group.
National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) – USA
The NSABP is a clinical trials co-operative group supported by the NCI. NSABP has a long history in design, conduct and reporting of cancer clinical trials, particularly breast cancer and more recently colon and rectal cancer. Studies developed and run by the NSABP are generally trials of therapy given after surgery, although they have conducted trials in breast cancer prevention. The AGITG has contributed patients to two NSABP colon cancer studies.
National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) - Canada
The NCIC CTG is the only co-operative cancer group functioning nationally in Canada; it plays an important role in international, large-scale, multicentre clinical trials in cancer management. The group develops, conducts and analyses national and international trials of cancer therapy and supportive care. Its mission is the demonstration of the efficacy and assessment of the relative effectiveness of treatments which can improve the care of cancer patients. Funding for the NCIC CTG is derived from the Canadian Cancer Society. The AGITG has collaborated with the NCIC CTG on a meta-analysis of therapy and two large-scale randomised controlled trials, including the recently opened NCIC CO.17 study.