Introducing TRACE: A New Chapter for Clinical Trials Excellence
The Ontario Clinical Oncology Group (OCOG), a cornerstone of Canadian clinical cancer research since 1982, is entering an exciting new era. Building on more than four decades of leadership in oncology trials, OCOG is expanding its mandate and evolving into the Trials Research and Clinical Evidence (TRACE) unit, a transformation that reflects its growing multidisciplinary portfolio and longstanding reputation for methodological excellence.
A Legacy of Impact
Established by the Ontario Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation, OCOG has been instrumental in shaping modern cancer care. Its Coordination & Methods Centre (CMC), housed at Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski Hospital and affiliated with McMaster University’s Department of Oncology, has served as a foundational pillar of the Escarpment Cancer Research Institute (ECRI).
From methodology and biostatistics to central operations, data management, monitoring, regulatory submissions, and financial oversight, OCOG has offered a comprehensive, end to end solution for clinical trial design, conduct, and reporting. Its team of highly skilled professionals provides comprehensive support across all aspects of clinical trials, with a collaborative approach to every project.
OCOG has attracted substantial support from leading agencies, including the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, the Canadian Cancer Society, and numerous industry partners. OCOG supported trials have been published in high impact medical journals - The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, Journal of American Medical Association, Annals of Internal Medicine, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. These findings have not only advanced patient care but have also shaped health policy at provincial, national, and international levels.
Expanding Beyond Oncology
OCOG has longstanding collaborations with McMaster University’s globally recognized thromboembolism research program. Building on its solid infrastructure and extensive experience, OCOG has more recently actively supported trials in other areas such as surgery, reflecting a natural evolution toward broader clinical impact.
Introducing TRACE
To better represent this expanded scope, OCOG has transitioned to the Trials Research and Clinical Evidence (TRACE) unit. TRACE will continue to be the organizational home for OCOG, preserving its foundational mission while enabling growth across diverse clinical disciplines.
As a multidisciplinary hub for high-quality clinical trials, TRACE will strengthen its ability to support investigators, foster innovation, and generate evidence that improves health outcomes across Canada and beyond.