By: Kirsten Millar
Our small East Coast province is putting itself on the map once again with a new, groundbreaking advance in cancer care. The QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax has become the first global site for a new clinical trial in cancer treatment called the AZUR-2 study.
AZUR-2 is an immunotherapy drug being trialed to treat locally advanced MSI-H colon cancer, a disease with an often poor prognoses, and this trial is offering a beacon of hope for patients.
"As we've advanced with cancer treatment, we're discovering that some tumors respond better to alternatives like immunotherapy," explains Heather Beaton, Director of Clinical Research Operations, Atlantic Clinical Cancer Research Unit (ACCRU) and Atlantic Clinical Trials Network (ACTN). "This trial introduces a shift in treatment where patients receive immunotherapy before surgery, potentially reducing the risk of recurrence. Hopefully, less patients will have their cancer return."
On top of being the first global open, Halifax also had the first patient in the AZUR-2 study. So, the first patient in the world that went on the trial was also from Nova Scotia.
“Halifax is a small center in comparison to some big sites out there. And the fact that we managed to become the first site activated for the trial, out of hundreds of sites that were approached worldwide is a massive feat and the fact that we were able to enroll the first patient while being such a small site is monumental,” says Dr. Katerina Neumann, General and Gastrointestinal Surgeon, Nova Scotia Health.
This accomplishment is not a stroke of luck, it is a result of meticulous work and dedication from various teams and clinicians. And the way that Nova Scotia implemented this trial was unique to Halifax. There has been a working collaboration between cancer care research (the ACCRU team) and the General Surgery Research Collaborative team.
“This was the first ever collaboration between these two research units, and what’s really unique is how this trial relies on collaboration between medical oncology and surgery,” says Dr. Neumann. “This trial is special because it relies on surgeons to recruit patients, when normally medical oncologists wouldn’t see patients until after surgery. It’s this beautiful network that we created and I think it's one of a kind.”
Getting a trial off the ground involves the work of the standard of care team as well, making sure they can fit the treatment into their day. “We live by the motto ‘research is care’ and we’re using clinical trials to deliver the best possible care to patients,” says Beaton.
And being the global first brings attention and recognition from industry which could open up further clinical trial opportunities for Nova Scotia, a goal we have been striving for with the Atlantic Clinical Trials Network (ACTN). This collaboration among the Atlantic provinces is actively working to improve access to cutting-edge treatments and technology through collaboration with industry partners, fostering innovation in healthcare. “We hope to increase care in Atlantic Canada through clinical trials like the AZUR-2 study,” says Beaton.
Dr. Bruce Colwell, Nova Scotia Health Physician and Oncologist, sees oncology knowledge as a global pursuit. “We are all working together to find the best answers for our patients,” he says. “As a small center, participating in trials isn’t always possible because the large centers are chosen as they can recruit big numbers quickly. But with the right people working together so can we. And by getting the first person on earth in this trial we have proven that Nova Scotia can too.”
And the AZUR-2 trial is not Nova Scotia’s only step in revolutionizing cancer care. Nova Scotia Health recently acquired two new Ethos radiotherapy systems with Hypersight technology, and began treating our first patient in January 2024 — a testament of our dedication to shaping a brighter future for cancer patients worldwide.
Nova Scotia's journey is far from over, but with each step forward, we redefine the landscape of cancer care, one milestone at a time.
Want to learn more about clinical trials taking place in Nova Scotia? Visit Nova Studies Connect to help translate research into potentially life-changing therapies that can help you, your friends and your loved ones: novastudiesconnect.ca
