REthinking Clinical Trials
REthinking Clinical Trials (REaCT) is a unique research program aimed at improving the lives of people with cancer through patient-centred, pragmatic clinical trials.
Based at The Ottawa Hospital, the REaCT program engages patients and their loved ones in research every step of the way, from generating ideas to setting priorities to designing studies and sharing results.
Unlike most cancer clinical trials, which are focused on evaluating experimental treatments in a very narrow patient population, REaCT trials compare standard approved treatments in a real-world setting with a broad range of patients. In this way, REaCT trials can efficiently answer some of the most important questions for cancer patients and the health care system.
REaCT is the largest pragmatic cancer clinical trials program in Canada, with more than 2,700 patients participating in 17 clinical trials at 15 centres in Canada.
“We are helping the future generation with every trial we do. I’m so thankful I was part of this trial.”
— Gina Mertikas-Lavictoire, REaCT trial participant
Meet Our Team
Collaborative teamwork is at the core of REaCT, with all team members involved in all stages of trial design, implementation, data collection and interpretation. Patients are also actively engaged in REaCT, particularly in helping to identify research questions and design trials.
Learn about Our Studies
REaCT studies typically focus on comparing commonly-used treatments, rather than testing new treatments. They are designed so that a wide range of people with cancer can easily participate without the need for extra tests, hospital visits or lengthy consent forms.
Donate Today
Clinical research is necessary to discover better medicine, protocols and techniques to improve patient care and safety. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are focusing directly on patient care by changing and improving medical protocols and practices.
“Being diagnosed is pretty lifechanging. You feel for other women who are going through this, and so I wanted to give back for the care I was receiving to help other women. I was open to any treatment that was new and innovative. The REaCT trial procedures were straightforward and easy to understand.”
— Connie Chartrand, breast cancer patient, participated in three REaCT clinical trials