Cancer trials in Ireland

Pictured at the opening of the new Cancer Clinical Trials Unit at University Hospital Limerick were (l to r) All-Ireland winners Noel McGrath and Richie Bennis; Prof Linda Coate; Consultant Medical Oncologist, UL Hospitals Group and Vice Clinical Lead for Cancer Trials Ireland; Prof Rajnish Gupta, Regional Director of Cancer Services for the Mid-West; Eibhlin Mulroe, CEO, Cancer Trials Ireland and Marcus Horan, former Munster rugby player.

Thousands of patients in Ireland are participating in hundreds of cancer trials. They are all helping to find the answers to cancer.

These trials are carried out in a highly controlled and regulated manner in Cancer Trials Research Units across Ireland.

There are more than 100 trials in Cancer Trial Ireland’s portfolio involving thousands of patients. They can be categorised into three types, though all trials are subject to the same exacting standards.

1. In-House

These trials are developed and run by our research teams. They are funded by public grants (HRB & Irish Cancer Society) and pharmaceutical companies.

2. International Collaborations

These trials are run in our research units around the country which are the Irish arm of international cancer trials.

3. Industry Led

These trials are run in our research units which are led and funded by pharmaceutical companies.

Since we were established in 1996, more than 15,000 patients have participated in more than 350 of our cancer trials.

98% of all cancer treating specialists in Ireland are members of Cancer Trials Ireland.