Clinical Trials
Cross Cancer Institute Clinical Trial Unit (CCI CTU)
The mission of the Cross Cancer Institute Clinical Trial Unit (CCI CTU) is to initiate and conduct clinical trials that enhance the lives of current and future cancer patients. Comprised of 70 active qualified investigators across multiple health disciplines, and supported by 38 clinical trial nurses and 33 clinical trial coordinators with tumor group-specific expertise, this robust team is further strengthened by an efficient administrative core, funded by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
Annually, the CCI CTU enrolls approximately 500 cancer patients in new treatment protocols, achieving one of the highest per capita accrual rates in Canada, which include local investigator-initiated studies and first-in-human drug trials. By contributing to numerous practice-changing global studies, patients are provided with access to cutting-edge therapies and generate substantial cost savings for the Alberta healthcare system, including an estimated savings in drug costs of $10M CAD per year.
Clinical trials are a pivotal step in translating research into patient care. The innovative studies conducted at the CCI CTU not only advance scientific knowledge but also offer promising new treatments to patients, reinforcing a commitment to improving cancer care outcomes.
The Investigator Initiated Trial Program (IITP)
The Investigator Initiated Trial Program (IITP), established in 2013 and housed at the CCI, assists researchers in navigating the clinical trial process. Through this program, investigators can advance projects they are passionate about from conception and planning to the final trial stage. These trials are designed by frontline cancer researchers who work in the lab and interact with patients. Moreover, these types of clinical trials often explore innovative treatments that may not attract immediate interest from larger organizations or pharmaceutical companies but hold significant potential to impact patient care.