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Find a clinical trial

CCS funds a range of clinical trials across Canada. These are some of the clinical trials funded by CCS that are actively recruiting participants right now. You can share this information with your doctor, inform your community or advocate to your member of parliament.

This is not an exhaustive list, and you can find other clinical trials on other sites. For example, the Canadian Cancer Trials Group lists clinical trials here: https://www.ctg.queensu.ca/public/clinical-trials

The Canadian Cancer Trials Group is supported by the Canadian Cancer Society.

Last Updated: September 23, 2022

Cancer type:

Non-specific/All sites

Location:

University of Calgary & University of Alberta

Clinical trial title:

Dissemination, implementation, and effectiveness of the exercise oncology survivorship partnership model: reaching rural cancer survivors to enhance quality of life

Non-scientific summary:

Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) is a 5-year Canada-wide project, offering a 12-week exercise program for individuals living with and beyond cancer. EXCEL will increase accessibility of exercise oncology programs for those living in more rural and remote regions across Canada, giving them the tools to become life-long movers. Ultimately, EXCEL will enhance participants quality of life.

Scientific summary:

Exercise is an evidence-based effective self-management strategy that benefits those living with and beyond cancer. EXCEL offers exercise programs to those without access from rural/remote locations. Understanding sustainable implementation within clinic-to-community partnerships, and studying both physical and psychosocial benefits for participants, will support building exercise into cancer care.

Study Contact Information:

Julianna Dreger, EXCEL Research coordinator, jdreger@ucalgary.ca

Cancer type:

Breast

Location:

BC Cancer, part of the Provincial Health Services Authority

Clinical trial title:

LA LEAST. Luminal A, Limited Endocrine Adjuvant Systemic Therapy, a phase II trial of abbreviated hormone therapy for low risk hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative early breast cancer

Non-scientific summary:

LA LEAST is a Canadian trial exploring the safety of 2 years of endocrine therapy (instead of the current 5 years) after low risk breast cancer in women 50 and older. Using a genomic assay to identify low risk, the results of this modern study should better inform the complex balance between side effect exposure and treatment benefit.

Scientific summary:

LA LEAST is a trial of 2 years endocrine therapy and 10 years follow up in women 50 and older with node negative, ER/PR positive, HER2 negative breast cancer confirmed low risk by Prosigna score. Primary endpoint is 5 year Distant Relapse Free Interval (DRFI); secondary endpoints are 10 year DRFI, contralateral breast cancer, and QOL change during and after treatment.

Study Contact Information:

Caroline Lohrisch, clohrisch@bccancer.bc.ca

Cancer type:

Breast

Location:

BC Cancer, part of the Provincial Health Services Authority

Clinical trial title:

Multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial of a Carbon Fibre Adjustable Reusable Accessory (CARA) for Supine Breast Positioning to Reduce Toxicity in Breast Adjuvant Radiotherapy (CARA RCT)

Non-scientific summary:

A new breast support has the potential to reduce painful skin reactions and may also reduce radiation to the lungs and heart for patients undergoing radiotherapy for breast cancer. In this study, skin reactions and lung and heart doses will be compared between patients treated using the new support and those who are treated without the new support to determine the benefits of this new device.

Scientific summary:

A novel device for positioning in breast radiotherapy for patients with large or pendulous breasts has been developed and tested in recent phase II studies. This randomized trial is designed to assess the efficacy of the device to reduce skin toxicity and lung and heart dose in comparison to the current standard of care. 220 participants will be recruited to this study.

Study Contact Information:

Cheryl Duzenli, cduzenli@bccancer.bc.ca

Cancer type:

Pancreas

Location:

BC Cancer, part of the Provincial Health Services Authority

Clinical trial title:

A Phase Ib Study to Investigate the Safety and Tolerability of SLC-0111 in Combination with Gemcitabine in Metastatic Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Subjects Positive for Carbonic Anhydrase IX

Non-scientific summary:

Work from Dr. Dedhar’s lab has demonstrated that SLC-0111 targets an enzyme known as carbonic anhydrase IX, and may reduce the ability of cancer cells to survive in a low oxygen environment. Pre-clinical work suggests in may work synergistically with gemcitabine. We are conducting a clinical trial of SLC-0111 in combination with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This trial is currently open at BC Cancer Vancouver and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Scientific summary:

Work from Dr. Dedhar’s lab has demonstrated that SLC-0111 targets an enzyme known as carbonic anhydrase IX, and may reduce the ability of cancer cells to survive in a low oxygen environment. Pre-clinical work suggests in may work synergistically with gemcitabine. We are conducting a clinical trial of SLC-0111 in combination with gemcitabine in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. This trial is currently open at BC Cancer Vancouver and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Study Contact Information:

Dr. Daniel Renouf, 604-877-6000, Ext: 672445

Cancer type:

Non-specific/All sites

Location:

Dalhousie University

Clinical trial title:

Dissemination, implementation, and effectiveness of the exercise oncology survivorship partnership model: reaching rural cancer survivors to enhance quality of life

Non-scientific summary:

Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) is a 5-year Canada-wide project, offering a 12-week exercise program for individuals living with and beyond cancer. EXCEL will increase accessibility of exercise oncology programs for those living in more rural and remote regions across Canada, giving them the tools to become life-long movers. Ultimately, EXCEL will enhance participants quality of life.

Scientific summary:

Exercise is an evidence-based effective self-management strategy that benefits those living with and beyond cancer. EXCEL offers exercise programs to those without access from rural/remote locations. Understanding sustainable implementation within clinic-to-community partnerships, and studying both physical and psychosocial benefits for participants, will support building exercise into cancer care.

Study Contact Information:

Julianna Dreger, EXCEL Research coordinator, jdreger@ucalgary.ca

Cancer type:

Soft-tissue sarcoma

Location:
Nova Scotia Health (Halifax, NS)

Clinical trial title:
Surveillance AFter Extremity Tumor surgerY (SAFETY) trial

Non-scientific summary:
The overall objective is to determine the effect of surveillance strategy on patient survival after surgery for a soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity by comparing the effectiveness of: A) a surveillance frequency of every three months vs. every six months; and B) CT scans vs. chest radiographs.

Scientific summary:
Following treatment for a primary extremity sarcoma, patients remain at risk for the development of local and systemic disease recurrence. Metastasis to the lung is the most frequent single location of disease recurrence in sarcoma patients. Surveillance strategies have not been well researched and have been identified as the top research priority in the extremity sarcoma field.

Study Contact Information:
Tess Hudson, hudsontc@mcmaster.ca, Research Coordinator
Michelle Ghert, ghertm@mcmaster.ca, Principal Investigator

Cancer type:

Non-specific/All sites

Location:

University of Toronto

Clinical trial title:

Dissemination, implementation, and effectiveness of the exercise oncology survivorship partnership model: reaching rural cancer survivors to enhance quality of life

Non-scientific summary:

Exercise for Cancer to Enhance Living Well (EXCEL) is a 5-year Canada-wide project, offering a 12-week exercise program for individuals living with and beyond cancer. EXCEL will increase accessibility of exercise oncology programs for those living in more rural and remote regions across Canada, giving them the tools to become life-long movers. Ultimately, EXCEL will enhance participants quality of life.

Scientific summary:

Exercise is an evidence-based effective self-management strategy that benefits those living with and beyond cancer. EXCEL offers exercise programs to those without access from rural/remote locations. Understanding sustainable implementation within clinic-to-community partnerships, and studying both physical and psychosocial benefits for participants, will support building exercise into cancer care.

Study Contact Information:

Julianna Dreger, EXCEL Research coordinator, jdreger@ucalgary.ca

Cancer type:

Non-specific/All sites

Location:

The Hospital for Sick Children

Clinical trial title:

The Pain Squad+ Smartphone App To Support Real-Time Pain Management for Adolescents with Cancer: A randomized controlled trial

Non-scientific summary:

A new smartphone application called Pain Squad+ was developed to help teens with cancer self-manage their pain. To study the effectiveness of this app, participants will try out the app, with or without nurse support, for 8 weeks and fill out online questionnaires at the start of the study, and at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks.

Scientific summary:

The PainSquad+ RCT, recruiting 222 adolescents with cancer from 9 Canadian pediatric centres, will test the effect of the Pain Squad+ app, with and without nurse support, on pain management and costs associated with pain care, when compared to usual care. Participants in the experimental groups use the app for 8 weeks. All participants complete online questionnaires at 5 timepoints.

Study Contact Information:

Dr. Jennifer Stinson, jennifer.stinson@sickkids.ca

Cancer type:

Bladder; Esophagus; Lung

Location:

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Clinical trial title:

Personalized dosing of nicotine replacement for smoking cessation: an effectiveness randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Non-scientific summary:

NRT to Effect: Does personalizing the dose of nicotine patch to match an individual's needs improve someone’s chances of quitting smoking? Study treatment starts with 2 weeks of 21mg/day (Step 1) nicotine patches (standard treatment). For the next 10 weeks, you will either continue on this standard treatment if it is working for you, or be randomized to receive higher doses of either nicotine patches or placebo patches.

Scientific summary:

Primary Objective: To provide a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of 10 weeks personalized dosing of tNRT in motivated smokers unable to quit after 2 weeks of standard tNRT (21mg).

Study population: Treatment-seeking, daily cigarette smokers (≥10 CPD); aged 18-75 years, intending to quit smoking within the next 30 days.

Published protocol paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32600406/

Study Contact Information:

Emily Gilbert, nrttoeffectstudy@camh.ca or emily.gilbert@camh.ca, (416) 535-8501 ext. 39570

Cancer type:

Breast, Prostate

Location:

McMaster University

Clinical trial title:

Addressing cardiovascular co-morbidities in patients with cancer (C3)

Non-scientific summary:

SCHOLAR-2: In this trial we are testing ways to safely deliver HER2-targeted therapy that has caused mild heart injury.

Scientific summary:

SCHOLAR-2: Left ventricular dysfunction is the most common dose-limiting toxicity associated with HER2-targeted therapies. Most such cardio-toxicity is mild and reversible. Therefore, in this trial we are evaluating whether a strategy of permissive cardiotoxicity - whereby mild cardiac injury is accepted - can safely lead higher rates of HER2-targeted therapy completion than usual care.

Study Contact Information:

Darryl Leong, leongd@phri.ca

Cancer type:

Prostate

Location:

McMaster University

Clinical trial title:

Addressing cardiovascular co-morbidities in patients with cancer (C3)

Non-scientific summary:

RADICAL PC: Many men with prostate cancer are more likely to die from cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, than the cancer itself. In our research, we are trying to understand the reasons for this, especially the role of hormonal therapy; and whether a cardiovascular physician can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.

Scientific summary:

RADICAL PC: In men with non-metastatic prostate cancer, cardiac disease is a more common cause of death than the prostate cancer and even men with metastatic disease are 50% more likely to die from cardiac disease than men without prostate cancer. In this study, we seek to evaluate the relationship between androgen deprivation therapy (which has been shown in methodologically limited data to be a possible risk factor) and cardiovascular disease. We also seek to evaluate in a randomized, controlled trial, whether routine involvement of a cardiologist in the care of men with prostate cancer will reduce their cardiovascular risk.

Study Contact Information:

Darryl Leong, leongd@phri.ca

Cancer type:

Soft-tissue sarcoma

McMaster University (Hamilton, ON), Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto, ON), the Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa, ON)

Clinical trial title:
Surveillance AFter Extremity Tumor surgerY (SAFETY) trial

Non-scientific summary:
The overall objective is to determine the effect of surveillance strategy on patient survival after surgery for a soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity by comparing the effectiveness of: A) a surveillance frequency of every three months vs. every six months; and B) CT scans vs. chest radiographs.

Scientific summary:
Following treatment for a primary extremity sarcoma, patients remain at risk for the development of local and systemic disease recurrence. Metastasis to the lung is the most frequent single location of disease recurrence in sarcoma patients. Surveillance strategies have not been well researched and have been identified as the top research priority in the extremity sarcoma field.

Study Contact Information:
Tess Hudson, hudsontc@mcmaster.ca, Research Coordinator
Michelle Ghert, ghertm@mcmaster.ca, Principal Investigator

Cancer type:

Soft-tissue sarcoma

Location:
Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont (Montreal, QC), Hotel Dieu de Québec (Quebec, QC), McGill University Health Centre (Montreal, QC)

Clinical trial title:
Surveillance AFter Extremity Tumor surgerY (SAFETY) trial

Non-scientific summary:
The overall objective is to determine the effect of surveillance strategy on patient survival after surgery for a soft-tissue sarcoma of the extremity by comparing the effectiveness of: A) a surveillance frequency of every three months vs. every six months; and B) CT scans vs. chest radiographs.

Scientific summary:
Following treatment for a primary extremity sarcoma, patients remain at risk for the development of local and systemic disease recurrence. Metastasis to the lung is the most frequent single location of disease recurrence in sarcoma patients. Surveillance strategies have not been well researched and have been identified as the top research priority in the extremity sarcoma field.

Study Contact Information:
Tess Hudson, hudsontc@mcmaster.ca, Research Coordinator
Michelle Ghert, ghertm@mcmaster.ca, Principal Investigator

Review research proposals

If you have been affected by cancer and would like to provide your perspective in the review of research funding applications, join the Patient/Survivor/Caregiver (PSC) Reviewer program. Patient, survivor and caregiver representation in our research review process helps us ensure that we fund the most promising and relevant cancer research that will benefit people affected by cancer. This opportunity is open and accessible to anyone who has been affected by cancer. You do not need to have research experience. We encourage people from all walks of life affected by cancer to get involved.

Learn more about the PSC Reviewer program

Check out other opportunities

If you would like to help in other ways such as by sharing your experience, co-developing new research funding competitions, or supporting researchers in the design of their projects, reach out to learn more

As a patient partner, you can:

Share stories about research for patients, researchers, and the public. There are one-time or short-term opportunities to be involved with. No previous experience with research is needed.
Be a program advisor. Help us co-develop new research funding competitions. This is a 2- to 3-month process where we ask for several rounds of feedback on a funding competition. Previous experience with or exposure to research is required.
Support researchers in designing and carrying out their research projects. This can be short- or long-term, and requirements vary depending on the research project.
Other opportunities appear on a regular basis! Get in touch with us to learn about more ways to get involved.

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