Haematology Clinical Trials (HCT)
The Haematology Clinical Trials (HCT) at Calvary Mater Newcastle offers haematology clinical research trials to patients in the Hunter New England Local Health District and has the ability to take referrals from other health districts as required.
HCT was established in 2000 to facilitate small local investigator initiated trials. Steady growth and recognition has seen HCT develop into an efficient team of trial coordinators/research nurses, data managers, technical laboratory, administrative, finance and ethics/governance staff.
Haematology conditions are rare but often curable with continually emerging agents that are rapidly changing the Standards of Care. HCT is able to activate early phase trials as well as larger randomised industry sponsored and cooperative group trials while still continuing with investigator initiated research. HCT manages a diverse portfolio of clinical trials, both national and international, providing access to a range of treatment options not otherwise readily available in Australia.
HCT supports the Haematology team at Calvary Mater Newcastle via a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate as many haematology patients being provided with the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial as possible. The HCT portfolio covers malignant diseases such as Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma and non malignant conditions such as bleeding disorders and venous thrombosis.
There are generally 20-30 trials available to patients, with many administered by the Australasian Leukaemia & Lymphoma Group. In addition patients can choose to donate tissue samples to the ALLG National Blood Cancer Registry to help further research into blood disorders.