Cancer Trials Ireland

About Cancer Trials Ireland

Cancer Trials Ireland is a national network dedicated to advancing cancer care through clinical trials, where new treatments and approaches are thoroughly tested. As a cornerstone of Ireland’s cancer research infrastructure, we unite clinical specialists, researchers, and key stakeholders to drive evidence-based improvements in cancer outcomes. Our organisation comprises nearly all cancer-treating specialists in Ireland, collaborating through eight Cancer Clinical Trials Groups and 18 hospital-based Cancer Trials Units (CTUs) nationwide. Supported by a central team of clinical researchers, project managers, and data experts, our trials are crucial for developing new treatments that enhance patient care. In addition to sponsoring our own academic trials, we work with international research groups and pharmaceutical companies, which brings substantial investment and innovative therapies to Irish patients. In Ireland, one in two people will face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. However, thanks to decades of research and clinical trials, many of these diagnoses now have effective treatments, with over 60% of patients surviving at least five years, and many being cured. Today, more than 200,000 people in Ireland have survived a cancer diagnosis. Despite this progress, the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) reports that nearly 25,000 people are diagnosed with cancer annually, a number expected to double as our population ages. The 2017 National Cancer Strategy emphasises the critical role of research and trials, aiming to double patient participation in drug trials. While only about 2% of Irish patients were on clinical trials in 2021, Cancer Trials Ireland has made significant strides, with a 27.5% increase in patient participation in all trials in 2023 compared to the previous year. Charity Regulatory Authority No. 20036676 Revenue Number CHY12492 Company Number 268044

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