At times in the world of cancer care, hope isn’t always easy to come by. However, at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC), a dedicated team of professionals is hard at work, looking to provide hope to patients and families, through their work to improve cancer treatment and care.
These folks are part of KHSC’s Cancer Clinical Trials team, located at the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario. They’re not just a group of researchers; they’re individuals who encompass a diverse range of skills, each crucial to the success of the trials that take place at KHSC.
The group includes research assistants, ethics specialists, activation coordinators, research coordinators, data entry coordinators and clinical trial coordinators, all who directly impact patient care, bringing cutting-edge therapies and interventions to patients closer to home.
They work closely with the KGH Research Institute and our partners at the Canadian Cancer Clinical Trials Group and the Department of Oncology at Queen’s University.
With over 40 active cancer clinical trials currently underway, KHSC's team is at the forefront of innovation. Their work focuses on many different types of cancer, including breast, gastrointestinal, blood, and prostate (just to name a few) and looks to push the boundaries of conventional treatments.
From trials that aim to better understand cancer, to trials that pioneer new treatments options, each one aims to improve patient outcomes, safety, and quality of life. Recently, their work on landmark research projects has made a huge mark on the way cancer care is provided around the globe, including:
- Pancreatic cancer breakthroughs: the team participated in a groundbreaking trial which demonstrated it could potentially double the survival rates for patients with pancreatic cancer who received a specific four-drug chemotherapy combination after-surgery.
- Immunotherapy breakthroughs: as a major site for the KEYNOTE-024 clinical trial, KHSC played a pivotal role in ushering in a new era of immunotherapy for advanced lung cancer patients, leading to long-term remission. Patients in southeastern Ontario have directly had their lives improved because of this work.
But this groups’ commitment to innovation extends beyond just treatment. They have also been involved in work to learn more about:
- Exercise as cancer prevention: this clinical trial explores whether structured exercise programs can prevent colorectal cancer from coming back, offering hope for enhanced survival and quality of life.
- Embracing holistic care: this trial, which is done in partnership with social workers, aims to alleviate mental distress and improve physical symptoms in patients with acute Leukemia and showcases a more holistic approach to cancer care.
This team is proving that new treatment options are not just a distant dream; it's a reality that is currently improving the lives of patients across our region. With each trial, this group is inching closer to unraveling the mysteries of cancer, and offering patients in our community the option to benefit from new and innovative treatments.
Do you want to support cancer research at KHSC? You can make a donation through our University Hospitals Kingston Foundation to support our work. Learn more: https://kingstonhsc.ca/donate
Want to learn more about our clinical trials work? You can attend a number of virtual education sessions. Learn more: https://www.queensu.ca/vpr/clinical-trials-week
