WomenCan fundraises to support clinical trials conducted by ANZGOG, a world leader in gynaecological cancer research.
ANZGOG's translational research initiative, TR-ANZGOG, adds value to important clinical trials in women with gynaecological cancers by supporting the collection and use of biospecimens for further research.
Translational research describes the process where questions arising in the clinic can be addressed by laboratory-based research, and those results are translated back into the clinic to improve patient care.
There is increasing reliance on biospecimens (such as blood and tissue samples) in clinical trials. Biospecimens help screen patients for trials by identifying cancer subtypes and genetic markers and are critical for research.
"Translational research is now front and centre of many cancer clinical trials. TR-ANZGOG aims to support trial investigators to achieve their translational aims, and to support current and future research that will improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancer."
Prof Anna DeFazio Chair, TR-ANZGOG Steering Committee
What is TR-ANZGOG?
TR-ANZGOG is a world-class translational research initiative designed to add value to ANZGOG clinical trials for women with gynaecological cancers. TR-ANZGOG supports collecting and using biospecimens from ANZGOG trials for further research. One of TR-ANZGOG’s goals is to help find biomarkers that are associated with good responses to trial drugs, and, if the response is not as good as expected, to find out why.
“TR-ANZGOG will help us to investigate WHY the drug tested in the trial works, or doesn’t work, at an individual patient level.”
Prof Anna DeFazio AM
How will TR-ANZGOG benefit women?
TR-ANZGOG will maximize the contribution made by women participating in ANZGOG clinical trials by enabling future translational research using their biospecimens. This will build our knowledge base by identifying factors associated with treatment response, identifying ways to improve treatment, and contributing to the design of future trials.
TR-ANZGOG is an exciting opportunity in our aim to improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancer by stimulating new translational research projects and clinical trials, and by promoting collaboration.
By using the power of the ANZGOG world-class network, TR-ANZGOG has the potential to improve outcomes in gynaecological cancer in three key ways:
- to understand the clinical and molecular drivers that underpin response to current and novel therapies
- to collaboratively investigate the novel clinical and scientific questions that need to be addressed in future clinical trials, and
- to promote research into the “big questions” that can only be addressed by large collaborative clinical translational studies.
TR-ANZGOG is comprised of four components:
- An Online Information and Resource Portal
- Support for ANZGOG trial investigators
- A national network of lab-based facilities
- A mechanism for translational investigators to access TR-ANZGOG biospecimens and data, with feedback of research results to build a knowledge base.
What is TR-ANZGOG achieving?
TR-ANZGOG has been developed in consultation with sector experts representing scientific, clinical, ethical, legal and operational specialities and, importantly, people with lived experiences.
TR-ANZGOG launched in October 2020, following phases of discovery and development, where key policies, processes and resources were finalised.
The Portal is now live for ANZGOG Members. TR-ANZGOG has been successfully implemented into ANZGOG trials, having received ethics and governance approval in 2022 for EPOCH and ITTACc trials, and our first TR-ANZGOG network laboratories have been designated.
How can you find out more?
TR-ANZGOG is an exciting opportunity in our aim to improve outcomes for women with gynaecological cancer by stimulating new translational research projects and clinical trials, and by promoting collaboration.
For further information, please visit the ANZGOG website or contact Claire Davies.
