All over the world clinical trials offer patients important treatment options and access to the latest treatments and procedures resulting from cancer research. BC Cancer continues to be a world-leader in clinical trials, which take place at all six regional centres across the Province. This year, BC Cancer clinician scientists took home three of four awards presented annually by the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG), a cooperative oncology group made of up 80 member institutions and 2100 investigators that administer clinical trials in cancer therapy, supportive care and prevention across Canada.
"We're incredibly proud of our clinical trials teams," says Dr. Bernie Eigl, Director of Provincial Clinical Trials at BC Cancer. "They are making a difference in the lives of patients not only in B.C. but the insights gained contributes to a better global understanding of cancer and helps to improve outcomes for everyone. Many of the treatments we have available for our patients today wouldn't exist if it wasn't for their incredible dedication and excellence."
Dr. Daniel Renouf, Executive Medical Director at BC Cancer – Vancouver took home the Dr. Ralph Meyer Phase III Young Investigator Award. This award honours young investigators, within 10 years of their MD, PhD or fellowship, who have contributed significantly on phase III clinical trials with the Canadian Cancer Trials Group. Dr. Renouf’s research interests include developmental therapeutics, genomics, and biomarker development within gastrointestinal cancers, with a focus on pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Sara Taylor is the Medical Director of the Clinical Trials Unit at BC Cancer – Kelowna. Dr. Taylor was presented with the Dr. Elizabeth Eisenhauer Early Drug Development Young Investigator Award which is given to a young investigator within seven years of their MD, PhD or fellowship who have contributed significantly to an Investigational New Drug (IND) trial. Dr. Taylor is actively involved in phase I, II, and III clinical trials in Kelowna with research interest in breast cancer, survivorship, genomics, and patient-reported outcomes.
BC Cancer’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kim Chi (Principal Investigator) along with team members Julita Sienkiewicz (Clinical Trials Nurse Coordinator), Manahil Sadiq (Data Coordinator), and Wendy Won (Clinical Trial Pharmacist) were members of one of only a handful of teams to receive the Phase III and Investigational New Drug Program Team Award. The award is given to a team based on their centre’s accrual metrics both overall and for the past year in recognition of their efforts and dedication to the success of clinical trials.
“I am always incredibly proud of our research teams at BC Cancer – Vancouver and excited that Manahil, Julita and Wendy can be honoured with this award for their hard work and dedication to the patients that volunteered for the study," says Dr. Chi of receiving this award.
Congratulations to all the recipients for their dedication and commitment to furthering our understanding of new treatments and procedures and for their commitment to bring innovative treatment options to our patients.
