Cancer Research

Did you know that there have been some fantastic advances made in the treatment of cancer in recent years? Ireland has played a significant role in these advances and is continuing to do so. In order to further extend these advanced treatments to more Irish Citizens we need your help and support. In 1996 there were no cancer clinical trials available to Irish patients. Today there are currently over 80 cancer clinical trials available to over 3000 patients across the Island through the clinical trials team at ICORG.

ICORG’s Background

ICORG was established as a charity in 1996 by a small group of cancer doctors who were determined to create more treatment opportunities for cancer patients in Ireland. Today the group counts some 95% of the island’s cancer doctors among its members making it the first and only collaborative cancer research group in Ireland.

ICORG’s Mission

From modest beginnings ICORG has surpassed all expectations by increasing the treatment opportunities available to patients in Ireland north and south of the border. In 2008 the group anticipates that 1 in 5 breast cancer sufferers will have an opportunity to participate in a clinical trial. The group’s aim is to similarly increase access to research options in other areas such as prostate and gastro-intestinal cancer.

ICORG welcomes supporters as it faces these new challenges in the coming years.

ICORG’s Achievements

• Over 3,000 patients to date have been able to access a research treatment and this number is growing. Clinical trials are designed to improve on existing treatments for cancer and to contribute to the development of new ones. Clinical trials give patients access to treatments that are not yet available in Ireland.
  
• As one example of ICORG’s work, in 2008 the TAILORx study was launched across Ireland. This study uses a gene based test to determine which patients with early stage breast cancer would most benefit from chemotherapy and also identifies those who will not. As a result of this trial some women will not be exposed unnecessarily to the risks of chemotherapy. Women in Ireland are currently the only patients outside of the US and Canada to whom this option is available.
  
• ICORG has successfully opened 85 cancer research trials in Ireland.
  
• Collaborations have been established with a number of international research organisations. Our work with these groups has ensured that the latest international cutting edge research is now being carried out in many Irish hospitals to the benefit of patients in Ireland.
  

ICORG’s International Relationships

Cancer Research is a global endeavour. The efforts of international cancer research groups have been improving the outcome for cancer patients around the world for decades.

ICORG has been a member of the two leading US cancer research groups (NSABP & ECOG) since 2004 and 2006 respectively. This ensures that patients in Ireland can benefit from the cutting edge research being conducted in the US. Ireland is the only European country with a cancer clinical research group (ICORG) that has achieved membership of either of these groups.

ICORG is also a member of a number of European cancer research groups including the leading French breast cancer group (BCIRG). Through this BCIRG relationship patients in Ireland have participated in a number of important studies. One of these studies played a significant role in the work which discovered that the treatments Taxotere and Herceptin were better than the prior standard of care. This treatment, which reduces early relapse by 50%, was available to some patients in Ireland participating in the ICORG/BCIRG trial 4 years before it became widely available.

ICORG is continuing to develop these and other key international relationships in order to ensure that patients in Ireland have the best possible options available to them.

ICORG’s Current Supporters

ICORG is primarily supported through a grant awarded by the Health Research Board (HRB). Additional funding is received from the Irish Cancer Society. There is also a growing number of volunteers and contributors who are dedicated to ensuring that ICORG can continue to develop.