Clinical trials play a critical role in answering questions about the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as improving psychological, supportive and palliative care outcomes.
Thanks to the health professionals and community members that have conducted or participated in clinical trials, as well as the funders of this research, we have achieved major improvements in overall survival and quality of life for people affected by cancer.
Despite this, recruitment of patients in clinical trials remains an ongoing challenge for the Victorian cancer sector. This is particularly difficult amongst underserved groups including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations, people from rural and regional areas and those of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Cancer Council Victoria is committed to increasing investment in clinical trials, improving awareness and access for all Victorians and diversifying cancer research. We work collaboratively with government and the healthcare sector to help patients access clinical trials that may help them to live well and live longer.
“Warren always put his hand up for any extra tests. His theory was that even though none of it worked for him, we would learn something from it to benefit people in the future.” - Klarissa. Read more
Cancer Trials Management Scheme
With the support of the Victorian Government, Cancer Council Victoria’s Cancer Trials Management Scheme (CTMS) has invested nearly $20 million since 1988 to support and grow clinical trial capacity across Victoria. By investing in the clinical trials sector, we are fostering innovation in cancer research to save lives and improve equitable access for all Victorians.
Competitive Grants
Following a successful initial investment of $2.3 million in 2017, Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Government through the Victorian Cancer Agency are investing $1.5 million in 2021 to address unmet needs and build capacity for clinical trials in cancer survivorship and supportive care through our clinical trial competitive grant round.
These types of trials aim to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors by finding new ways to help people with the side effects of cancer and its treatment such as pain management, nutrition, infection, nausea and vomiting, sleep disorders, depression and other health problems.
Three projects will be funded for a maximum of three years to improve equity of access to clinical trials by building capacity in these areas of research.
Apply for a grant
Previous grant recipients
In 2017, Cancer Council Victoria and the Victorian Cancer Agency awarded $2.3 million to projects that sought to improve patient access to cancer clinical trials.
These projects have established the foundations required to support capacity building and recruitment at individual clinical trials units and networks across Victoria.
Title: Providing equitable, convenient and efficient access to novel cancer therapies: A Phase I outreach program
Grant recipient : A/Prof Jayesh Desai, University of Melbourne
Years funded: 2017 – 2019
Summary: Increased access to Phase I trials at the newly formed Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU) for cancer patients. Since 2017, there has been a 70% increase in referrals to the Early Drug Development clinical trials unit and a 110% increase in the number of patients recruited into an early phase clinical trial.
“This project improved equity of access to early phase cancer trials for Victorians. This not only translated into a significant increase in patient participation, but also improvements to the experience of accessing a Phase I trial.” – A/Prof Jayesh Desai
Read full report
Title: Equity of access to state-of-the-art clinical trials for every patient
Grant recipient : Professor Michael MacManus, University of Melbourne
Years funded : 2017 – 2019
Summary : An increase in the research activity across Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre’s campuses, which improved equity of access to state-of-the-art clinical trials involving radiotherapy for suburban and regional patients. As a result, the numbers of patients enrolled in clinical trials also increased.
“What is unique and special about the Cancer Trials Management Scheme grant funding is that it supports the infrastructure needed for multiple clinical trials and thus builds capacity, helping to level the playing field for radiotherapy patients.” – Prof Michael MacManus
Read full report
Title: Accessing cancer clinical trials for people of the West
Grant recipient : Dr Dishan Herath and the Western Health Oncology Research Unit
Years funded : 2017 – 2019
Summary : Western Health put the people and infrastructure in place to run early phase clinical trials, before seeking sponsorship funding to attract and maintain this type of activity. Importantly, it also supported the evaluation of strategies to sustainably improve trial participation for patients of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and fostered the growth of Western Health’s non-pharmaceutical clinical trial portfolio.
“Thanks to this funding, we have been able to enrol more patients, including CALD patients, onto clinical trials. The support we received for our phase I program has given patients access to new drugs early in the development process" - Dr Dishan Herath, Head of Cancer Services, Western Health
Read full report
Title : Regional Trial Network – Victoria
Grant recipient : Dr Craig Underhill and the Regional Trial Network – Victoria
Years funded : 2017 – 2019
Summary : Increase clinical trials for regional and rural patients and improve collaboration between regional trial units. Since 2017, there has been a 64% increase in recruiting clinical trials at participating sites and a 49% increase in recruited patients. Its success led to a $18.6 million grant from the Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund, to help bridge the metro-regional trials gap.
“This provided us with the start-up funding we needed to demonstrate what could be done to increase clinical trial activity and collaboration in the regions. It has enabled us to apply for and be awarded a significant government grant that now allows us to extend our work and hopefully save the lives of more regional Australians with cancer.” – Dr Craig Underhill
Read full report
Donations made to the Clinical Trials Management Scheme grant program will help support projects seeking to improve equitable access to clinical trials through capacity building. Contact us at partnerships@cancervic.org.au to discuss how you can invest in cancer clinical trials.
Clinical trials reporting
With support from the Victorian Government, we have monitored clinical trial activity and recruitment in Victoria for more than three decades. During this time, we’ve partnered with up to 43 clinical trial units, across 27 health services in Victoria, to report annual clinical trial recruitment data and update our Victorian Cancer Trials Link.
Readily accessible and reliable data on the breadth of clinical trials is an important tool for the sector to inform access to clinical trials for people affected by cancer.
Read our latest clinical trials report
Policy and advocacy
Currently, less than 6% of Victorians diagnosed with cancer each year, participate in clinical trials for their cancer treatment. Many barriers exist including limited awareness from clinicians and the public, limited systems and available data, and inequities in accessing clinical trials, including for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander populations, people from rural and regional areas and of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Cancer Council Victoria is committed to improving participation and reducing inequities in access to cancer clinical trials in Victoria.
Read more about our policy and advocacy work
Victorian Cancer Trials Link
Our Victorian Cancer Trials Link (VCTL) is a publicly available, searchable online database and mobile app of cancer clinical trials being conducted in Victoria, including those run out of rural and regional hospitals. Healthcare professionals and people affected by cancer can enter specific information about diagnosis and treatment history and be matched with a suitable clinical trial to participate in.
The VCTL was developed in 2009 and is updated regularly, with the help of clinical trial units participating in the Cancer Trials Management Scheme. If you’re a health professional and would like to add a trial or correct any information on the website, please contact us.
Search VCTL
“What I found good about this is, that when you’re sitting there trying to absorb all these trials and technical terms and everything from the doctors, the site meant you could just read about it in layman’s terms.” - Klarissa.
Information and support
Visit the clinical trials section of our website for patient information about clinical trials including patient stories, a free booklet and access to Trial Connect – a telephone peer support program. You can also call 13 11 20 or email us to speak with a cancer nurse.
Learn more
“The opportunity to get a better quality of life, the opportunity of extending your time here with friends and family – I think a lot of people would take that chance to take part in a trial.” - Greg