Who are the Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups?
There are 14 Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups (CCTGs) in Australia. These groups conduct world-class multi-disciplinary research for cancer control. Clinical trials help to inform clinical practice and improve the survival and quality of life of cancer patients.
Consumer representatives make an important contribution within the CCTGs. They may be involved with concept development of clinical trials, providing input into research protocols and lay summaries, and reviewing patient information sheets and consent forms.
The specific aims and objectives of each CCTG differ slightly:
- Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group
(AGITG) conducts clinical trials to find better ways to treat people with gastro-intestinal cancers. It is a multi-discipline collaborative group of over 700 medical and research professionals that aim to improve the medical treatment of people suffering from gastro-intestinal cancers such as cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and bowel. The AGITG Engage Program is a free online information network for GI cancer patients, survivors, carers and family members. Visit the AGITG website to learn more about the program and to register to receive the quarterly Engage newsletter. - Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group
(ALLG) is an independent non-profit organisation established by clinicians who care for patients with leukaemia, lymphoma and related blood diseases. It aims to improve the treatment of these patients and to foster collaboration with other relevant groups both national and international. It also aims to fund appropriate research and specific programs to reduce the burden of such diseases for present and future generations, and to increase the understanding of such diseases by appropriate research including clinical trials. - Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association
(ANZSA) provides the infrastructure for collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams, which comprise specialist health professionals working together to discuss cases and determine how best to manage treatment and care (for example, specialist cancer doctors and nurses and supportive care clinicians such as social workers, psychologists and physiotherapists). - Australian and New Zealand Children's Haematology and Oncology Group
(ANZCHOG) is the leading body representing the interests of children and adolescents with blood diseases and cancer, and their families. Its mission is to improve outcomes for these children through advocacy, education and clinical and supportive care research. ANZCHOG is a multidisciplinary, cooperative group of professionals working in the fields of paediatric blood diseases and cancer, formed to provide the infrastructure for collaboration to further this mission. - Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group
(ANZUP) is an active and emerging cancer cooperative clinical trials group, established to bring together all the professional disciplines involved in researching and treating urogenital cancers. Our mission is to conduct clinical trial research to improve the treatment of Bladder, Kidney, Testicular and Prostate Cancers. ANZUP fosters collaboration between researchers, professionals, community and organisations, both nationally and internationally, that conduct and support urogenital cancer research to improve patient treatment and care. ANZUP actively engages with the community through our Consumer Advisory Panel (CAP) at all levels of governance through to specific trials and research projects. Our CAP also provides a conduit for communication from ANZUP back to the community in order to promote research and engage community support. - Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group
(ANZGOG) conducts collaborative, multidisciplinary, clinical trials research into the causes, prevention and treatments of gynaecological cancers – ovarian, cervical, endometrial and vulval. The aim is to improve the outcomes and quality of life for women with gynaecological cancers. The group has over 450 health professionals participating at more than 51 research sites in Australia and New Zealand. ANZGOG also promotes education, awareness and support for clinical trials with consumers, the general public and health professionals. - Breast Cancer Trials
(BCT) conducts an independent, collaborative breast cancer clinical trials research program for the treatment, prevention and cure of breast cancer. The BCT research program involves multicentre national and international clinical trials and brings together 600 researchers in 80 institutions throughout Australia and New Zealand. Our aim is to eradicate all suffering from breast cancer by identifying the best treatment for every person diagnosed with breast cancer which can provide them with long term cure, and to prevent breast cancer particularly for those at increased risk. - Cancer Symptom Trials
(CST) is a research collaborative within the Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Research and Translation (IMPACCT) research centre at the University of Technology Sydney, with a focus on supportive care and symptom control for patients with a cancer diagnosis. - Cooperative Trials Group for Neuro-Oncology
(COGNO) aims to conduct investigator initiated and collaborative group trials addressing important clinical questions in patients with brain tumours. COGNO provides a coordinated, structured approach to the management of large-scale multi-centred neuro-oncology trials. - Melanoma and Skin Cancer Trials
(MASC Trials) is an independent collaborative trials group specialising in investigator-initiated melanoma and skin cancer research. Working with leading researchers, healthcare professionals, institutions and consumers within Australia and New Zealand and around the globe, MASC Trials develops, conducts, and publishes research and clinical trials that improve how we diagnose and treat melanoma and skin cancer. - Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group
(PC4) is funded by Cancer Australia to support the development of high quality cancer research in primary care. The Group fosters collaboration between researchers, health care practitioners and consumers to improve cancer outcomes in Australia, and builds research capacity through its Training Awards, Concept Development and other workshops. - Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group
(PoCoG) was established in response to a recognised need to develop the capacity and co-ordinated collaboration to conduct large-scale, multi-centre psycho-oncology and supportive care research. - Thoracic Oncology Group Australasia
(TOGA) is a multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of lung and other thoracic cancers and improve the quality of life of these patients, carers and families in Australia and New Zealand through the coordination and facilitation of high-quality clinical research. - TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group
(TROG) is Australia and New Zealand's specialist clinical research group for radiotherapy. TROG is a cooperative multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to the control of a wide range of cancers through quality multicentre research.