North American Star Consortium: Advancing Early Therapeutics in Cancer
Official title: North American Star Consortium
Funded at University Health Network · NIH-11495520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A nationwide network of cancer centers is extending support to run early-stage cancer drug trials, helping eligible patients access promising therapies more quickly.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University Health Network NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toronto, Canada) |
| Project start | February 15, 2026 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,770,712 |
| NIH project number | 3UM1CA186644-09S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11495520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancer who are eligible for early-phase therapeutic trials at NASC-participating centers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for early-phase trials or not pursuing clinical research may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This grant supports the North American Star Consortium, a collaborative effort among major cancer centers to keep early-phase clinical trials running and well-coordinated. It focuses on maintaining operations, patient enrollment, and high-quality biospecimen collection to enable rapid testing of new cancer drugs. If you have cancer, this program could connect you with cutting-edge trials through participating sites, while ensuring the trials meet rigorous safety and scientific standards. The work helps translate promising early findings into potential new treatment options for patients in need.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide access to promising early-stage cancer therapies and faster participation in clinical trials.
How similar studies have gone: Previous ETCTN activities have supported trial operations and patient accrual across multiple institutions, with ongoing efforts to maintain continuity during funding transitions.
Where this research is happening
-
University Health Network
Toronto, Canada Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bedard, Philippe — University Health Network
- Study coordinator: Bedard, Philippe
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.