AUSTRALASIAN GASTRO-INTESTINAL TRIALS GROUP

A $22.19 million funding boost supports 14 multi-site Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Groups (CTGs) across Australia, aiming to improve clinical trial design, equitable access, and research translation, particularly for rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

The Minister for Health and Aged Care announced $22.19 million for 14 Multi-site Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Groups, aligning with the Australian Cancer Plan to improve access to optimal cancer care, particularly in rural and remote areas, and for rare and less common cancers.

Preoperative chemoradiotherapy did not improve survival over perioperative chemotherapy alone in resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, according to TOPGEAR data. Median overall survival was 46.4 months vs 49.4 months, with no significant differences in progression-free survival. However, preoperative chemoradiotherapy significantly improved pathological outcomes, including complete response rates and tumor downstaging.