Nova Scotia Health has reached a major milestone in international cancer research, becoming the first site in the world to launch — and the first to enroll a patient in — a large clinical trial led by AstraZeneca.
The study is being run through the Atlantic Clinical Cancer Research Unit (ACCRU) and focuses on a potential new treatment for biliary tract cancer, a rare and extremely aggressive disease with limited treatment options.
Because this type of cancer is so uncommon, clinical trials are often difficult to start and slow to recruit for. That makes Nova Scotia’s ability to activate the study early — and enroll the first participant — especially significant.
The trial is being led locally by Dr. Ravi Ramjeesingh, Medical Oncologist and Medical Director with ACCRU, with clinical support from Dr. Abdul Farooq, also a Medical Oncologist with Nova Scotia Health.
Nova Scotia Health will provide updates on the progress of the trial as information becomes available.
