The Health Research Board (HRB) has announced a €21 million investment in cancer clinical trials, which it says will transform cancer care in Ireland.

It is hoped that by increasing the resources and expertise required to conduct trials, more cancer patients will be able to access them, making a real difference to their lives.

The HRB pointed out that “every cancer treatment was once the subject of a clinical trial”. Patients benefit from being able to access high-quality trials and overall outcomes are better in health systems that support them.

The funding will provide essential support for six cancer clinical trial groups and an overarching National Cancer Clinical Trials Network. It will also help to achieve the National Cancer Strategy (2017-2026) objective of doubling the number of cancer patients on clinical trials in Ireland.

“Ultimately, this investment is about finding new and safe approaches to prevent and treat cancer and save more lives. We are particularly pleased with the breadth of this investment, which spans childhood and adult cancers and includes new cancer trials groups in radiation therapy and paediatric cancer.

“We urge all cancer patients in Ireland to ask their healthcare provider if there is a relevant cancer clinical trial that they can participate in,” commented the HRB’s head of research and innovation infrastructures, Oonagh Ward.

The HRB pointed out that trials are usually conducted in the complex and busy setting of a health service or hospital and they require access to specialised skills and supports. This investment will enhance the volume, quality and reach of cancer clinical trials in Ireland by strengthening partnerships between hospital sites, clinical research facilities and academic partners.

“Funding for the National Cancer Clinical Trial Network will ensure that the trials most relevant to patients in Ireland are prioritised and supported, with results more likely to be translated into practice because of the engagement with practicing clinicians,” Ms Ward said.

The six cancer trials groups which received funding were:

-Children’s Health Ireland Cancer Trials Group led by Prof Owen Smith and hosted at University College Dublin

-Beaumont Hospital – RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Cancer Trials Group led by Prof Patrick Morris and hosted at RCSI

-Irish Research Radiation Cancer Trials Group led by Dr Sinead Brennan and hosted at Trinity College Dublin

-UCC Cancer Trials Group led by Prof Roisin Connolly and hosted at University College Cork

-Ireland East Hospital Cancer Trials Group led by Prof Catherine Kelly hosted at University College Dublin

-Trinity Academic Cancer Trials Group led by Prof Maeve Lowery hosted at Trinity College Dublin.

Meanwhile, HRB grants were also awarded to the SAOLTA University Healthcare Group and to University Hospital Limerick to enable and enhance their cancer clinical trials capacity and capability over the next 15 months.

All awards will formally commence in January 2022.