Cancer patients in rural Australia face a stark reality: limited access to cutting-edge treatments available through clinical trials. After two decades of delivering industry-sponsored trials, Bendigo Regional Cancer Centre recognised an opportunity to transform this landscape. Through partnership with the Regional Trials Network of Victoria, we embarked on an ambitious initiative—designing and leading our first investigator-initiated trial to evaluate emerging treatment options for patients with advanced cancer receiving an immunotherapy. This approach addresses two critical challenges: advancing cancer care equity and demonstrating that regional cancer centers can drive meaningful research innovation.
Breaking new ground required comprehensive infrastructure development. Our trials unit project manager spearheaded a systematic review of institutional procedures and national resources, identifying gaps in investigator-initiated trial leadership capabilities. Strategic collaboration with research governance and medical leadership established novel processes for institutional sponsorship approval. We prioritised sustainable database solutions, selecting REDCap for its robust security and user accessibility, initially partnering with another health service before securing local server capacity.
This pioneering effort produced comprehensive documentation frameworks including sophisticated data and risk management plans that exceed industry standards. Achieving Bendigo Health sponsorship represented an institutional milestone, validating regional capacity for research leadership. Our REDCap database development demonstrates successful inter-regional collaboration and local technical advancement. Ethical approval has been granted and governance is currently being sought for four regional sites including a teletrials site.
This transformative initiative establishes a sustainable model for regional research equity, directly addressing disparities in rural cancer care access. Beyond immediate patient benefits, we're cultivating local research expertise, developing workforce capabilities, and creating pathways for community-driven clinical questions. Our success demonstrates that regional cancer centers can lead innovative research while building lasting capacity for health equity advancement.