International Clinical Trials Day: why cancer trials matter for patients in Ireland

Every treatment starts with a trial

In her Irish Examiner Working Life interview, Angela reflected on her path from radiation therapy to hospital leadership and now to Cancer Trials Ireland, where she became CEO in 2025.

Drawing on her clinical background, Angela spoke about what access to trials can mean for patients.

“Clinical trials offer patients hope and access to tomorrow’s treatments today: new drugs, surgical techniques, advanced radiotherapy, and medical devices. Every drug in use today was developed through clinical trials.”

That message was echoed in the Meath Chronicle, where Angela underlined the central role trials play in improving cancer treatment.

“Every cancer treatment that exists today was once tested through a clinical trial,” she said. “Trials are how we improve treatment, reduce side effects, improve quality of life and ultimately save lives.”

Cancer trials in Ireland today

Cancer Trials Ireland currently has 137 active cancer trials running across Ireland. Almost 5,000 people took part in cancer clinical trials in Ireland last year, with a further 120 trials in follow-up and more in development.

These figures show the scale of cancer trials already taking place across the country. They also point to the opportunity to do more.

As Angela noted in the Irish Examiner, Denmark, with a similar population to Ireland, has more than 280 trials open. Ireland needs more trials if more patients are to have the opportunity to access potentially life-altering cancer research.

Trials are not a last resort

One of the most important messages shared through the recent coverage is that clinical trials are not only for people who have exhausted every other option.

Trials can take place at many stages of treatment. They may involve new drugs, radiotherapy techniques, surgical approaches, medical devices, or quality-of-life interventions such as physiotherapy, diet and exercise programmes.

As Angela told the Meath Chronicle:

“One of the myths around trials is that people think they’re only for patients who have exhausted every other option. Actually, trials can take place at many stages of treatment and in many cases should be considered a first opportunity rather than a last chance.”

Why investment matters

Despite growing public interest in clinical trials, access remains a challenge.

The National Cancer Strategy target is for 6% of cancer patients to participate in interventional clinical trials. Currently, that figure stands at 2.7%.

Angela also highlighted that up to 70% of patients would like the opportunity to participate in a trial, but there are not enough trials open to meet that demand.

“The expertise is there, the patients are there, but more investment is needed to expand research teams and open additional studies,” she told the Meath Chronicle.

Cancer Trials Ireland is part-funded by the Health Research Board and our funders, the Irish Cancer Society, with philanthropy also playing a vital role in helping to open more trials.

Access matters

International Clinical Trials Day is a reminder that cancer trials are not abstract. They are how better treatments become possible. They are how side effects are reduced. They are how quality of life is improved. They are how patients can access new approaches that may shape the future of cancer treatment.

For more patients in Ireland to have the opportunity to take part, cancer trials need sustained investment, strong clinical research teams and continued public awareness.

Every cancer patient in Ireland who could benefit from a trial should have that opportunity.