National Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups
Clinical trials have helped improve the survival of cancer patients. They contribute to a reduction in premature death and disability, improvement in the evidence behind cancer care, and a health system that is both cost-effective and best practice. Australia has 14 national cancer cooperative trials groups, with a record of world-class research. COSA and the Cancer Council have welcomed Commonwealth support for these groups through Cancer Australia over recent years and will continue to advocate for increased and ongoing government funding for independent cancer clinical trials, through the enabling project, as we prepare for a major future increase in cancer incidence as our population ages.
Cancer Cooperative Trials Groups
Australasian Sarcoma Study Group (ASSG) provides the infrastructure for collaboration between multi-disciplinary teams (MDT), which comprise specialist health professionals working together to discuss your case and how best to manage your treatment and care (for example, specialist cancer doctors and nurses and supportive care clinicians such as social workers, psychologists and physiotherapists).
Australasian Gastro Intestinal Trials Group (AGITG) conduct 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 GI cancers. These cancers include the oesophagus, stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and bowel.
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.
Australasian Lung Trials Group (ALTG) is Australia and New Zealand's lung and thoracic cancer clinical research group. The ALTG is a multidisciplinary organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence, morbidity and mortality of lung and thoracic cancer and improving the quality of life of lung and thoracic cancer patients in Australia and New Zealand through the coordination and facilitation of high quality clinical research.
Australian New Zealand Breast Cancer Trials Group (ANZBCTG) is dedicated to the control of breast cancer through quality research.
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. ANZCHOG’s 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.
Australia New Zealand Gynaecology Oncology Group (ANZGOG) was established to foster and support collaborative research throughout Australia and New Zealand and improve outcomes of women with gynaecological malignancies through randomised clinical trials.
Australia New Zealand Melanoma Trials Group (ANZMTG) coordinates and conducts quality research for melanoma control. ANZMTG develops and undertakes melanoma studies in collaboration with researchers and health care professionals, support networks and consumers.
Australian and New Zealand Urogenital and Prostate Cancer Trials Group (ANZUP) develops and conducts cancer research in urogenital and prostate cancers. The group fosters collaboration between researchers by aiming to minimise the effect of prostate and other urogenital cancers on the community in terms of survival, incidence and quality of life, through research and education and by providing patients and carers with support.
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.
Palliative Care Clinical Studies Collaborative (PaCCSC) is a national multicentre research network to support clinical studies in palliative care. The collaborative is funded under the National Palliative Care Program and is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. To contact PaCCSC e-mail Executive Officer Linda Devilee.
Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4TG) develops and conducts cancer research in primary care. The group fosters collaboration between researchers, health care practitioners and consumers to build research capacity and infrastructure, enable the development of pre-trial studies, leading to large-scale, multi-site studies, fill the evidence gaps in oncology in primary care and improve health outcomes and care for cancer patients.
Psycho-oncology Cooperative Research Group (PoCoG) was established in 2005 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.
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.
