About us
GI Cancer Trials is a non-profit organisation that runs patient-centred clinical trials with a vision to help people with gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.
Our vision
A better future for people with GI cancer.
Our purpose
We bring together a diverse network of brilliant people to deliver clinical trials that improve outcomes for people affected by GI cancers.
Why GI cancer?
GI cancer is the most common cancer in Australia, directly affecting more than 37,567 Australians each year and claiming a devastating 50 lives each day.
GI cancer includes cancer of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, gallbladder and biliary tract, large bowel, small bowel, rectal and anal cancer, as well as gastro–intestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and neuroendocrine tumours (NETs).
GI cancer diagnoses are devastating and treating them is a monumental challenge.
Clinical trials provide hope to patients and their families for a better outcome and help progress our understanding of how best to treat these diseases.
Thanks to clinical research, the estimated five-year survival rates for all GI cancers have improved over the last 30 years. We are proud to have contributed to improving outcomes for people with GI cancer.
Comparison of 5-year survival rates
Our story
Medical breakthroughs are rarely sudden. They come gradually, trial by trial.
In 1991, a small group of doctors set out to change the outlook for people in Australia and New Zealand with GI cancer. At the time, treatment options were limited, and many rare GI cancers had none at all.
Driven by the goal of giving patients more options, they built a collaborative network, connecting researchers, hospitals and patients to develop better GI cancer treatments and care through clinical trials.
34 years later, we are GI Cancer Trials. Our studies are clinician-led – the ideas come from doctors and specialists talking with their patients about their treatment plans and challenges, often asking, “Can we do better?” or “Is there another option?” or “Can I wait to have surgery or avoid surgery altogether?”. More options mean more hope.
Today, 1,997 researchers, 304 hospitals and countless partners make up our GI cancer trials ecosystem.
From the beginning, progress has been driven by our people – researchers designing smart, patient-centred trials, and more than 10,000 participants contributing their time, trust and hope worldwide.
Through more than 90 research studies, we’ve set new standards for treatment – whether that’s finding more effective chemotherapy options or reducing the impact of treatment side effects.
Survival rates have steadily improved across all GI cancers in the last 30 years, but there is still so much more to do.
“The more options we have, the better. And if you're dealing with diseases which have few options or only modest outcomes, you have to keep exploring things.”
— Professor Nick Pavlakis, member and INTEGRATE IIa/IIb Study Chair
More than 30 years of achievements
GI Cancer Trials and our path forward: 2025–2030
34 years of progress have taught us where we can make the greatest difference. Our new strategy builds on this foundation with a clear, focused plan: to be the driving force behind better GI cancer trials and better outcomes for people across our region.
The new strategy is about recognising the unique role we play in the cancer research ecosystem and focusing our energy where we can have the greatest impact.
Over the next five years, our four key priorities will build on our strengths and position us to lead change where it matters most:
1
Set the agenda for collaborative, practice-changing GI cancer clinical trials that answer the questions that matter most to patients, clinicians, and our region.
2
Strengthen the impact of GI cancer trials across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand by expanding our reach, growing our site network, and building operational excellence.
3
Build capacity for GI cancer trials that are important to our region through infrastructure, partnerships, and a commitment to equity and inclusion that ensures everyone can participate.
4
Mobilise participation of a diverse community of people who share our vision – from researchers and clinicians to people with lived experience and supporters.
Bringing our strategy to life
Over the next five years, we will:
- Deliver clinical trials that answer critical, globally significant questions in GI cancer
- Keep people with lived experience of GI cancer at the heart of our research
- Ensure equitable access so people can participate no matter where they live or what language they speak
- Grow our internal research centre as a hub for high-quality, collaborative research
- Foster partnerships across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and beyond
- Build a strong, sustainable foundation through funding, collaboration, and a skilled team
A consistent thread across all our priorities will be sharing knowledge and insights from our research to deepen engagement with our community and maximise the impact of our trials.
Looking ahead to 2030
By 2030, we aim to be recognised as the driving force behind a more connected, capable, and inclusive GI cancer trials ecosystem – shaping clinical practice and delivering real improvements for people affected by GI cancer.