'New anti-cancer drug development has traditionally been performed in Europe, the United States and Japan. While many exciting new compounds have been tested in those patient populations, little is known about these drugs in cancers-which afflict the large majority of the world's population. Cancers of the nasopharynx, hepatocellular carcinoma, cervix cancer, oesophageal cancers, stomach cancers and melanoma need new anti-cancer therapy. Patients of different ethnic background may handle these agents differently. Finally, how do we change practice and introduce new active drugs into the world's largest populations outside North America and Europe?

CTRG has been developed as a Joint Venture to focus precisely on these issues. It provides high quality data collection consistent with ICH Good Clinical Practice Guidelines, audit, statistical and clinical trial expertise and large patient populations with unusual tumour types which are carefully studied. The CTRG has considerable depth because it links the rapidly growing and emerging scientific network within the South East Asian area with science and experience established in Australia and New-Zealand. Trials done in this group will be immediately relevant to the practitioners working within the region and have the ability to change clinical practice."

Prof James F Bishop
Director