Jack Ady Cancer Centre launches Alberta's first researcher-led cancer clinical trial outside major urban centres

Donor-supported study will evaluate whether prostate cancer radiation treatments can be safely reduced from five sessions to two

LETHBRIDGE, Alberta, Sept. 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Jack Ady Cancer Centre is hosting a clinical trial evaluating whether radiation treatments can be safely reduced for prostate cancer patients in southern Alberta. It is the first time in Alberta’s history that a cancer centre outside of Calgary or Edmonton is hosting a researcher-led cancer clinical trial.

Traditionally, prostate cancer radiation can involve up to 39 daily treatments over several weeks. A newer technique gaining widespread acceptance reduces this to five treatments, delivered once weekly. The new clinical trial takes the next step, exploring whether treatment can be safely reduced from five sessions down to just two for select patients.

This donor-supported clinical trial was made possible through a significant contribution from the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation, in partnership with the Alberta Cancer Foundation. The trial represents a significant step forward in expanding access to cancer research and innovation outside Alberta's largest cities.

"This clinical trial is an example of what a community of donors can make possible," says Wendy Beauchesne, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation. "Albertans give because they want to see better outcomes for patients and continued advances in cancer care. Their generosity is helping make innovative, patient-focused research possible right here in southern Alberta."

"This is the first cancer clinical trial operating out of Lethbridge and is a major milestone for the region," says Crystal Elliott, CEO of the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation. "We are incredibly proud to support this trial that will improve access for rural and regional patients, reducing the need to travel long distances for advanced cancer care and participation in vital research."

The initiative aligns with the Government of Alberta’s 10-year strategy to expand clinical trial access across the province, ensuring patients outside major metropolitan areas can access cutting-edge research.

“This first-of-its-kind clinical trial is great news for Alberta,” says Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services. “Alberta is becoming a leader in cancer care, and by expanding opportunities for clinical research, we are helping ensure more Albertans can benefit from the latest advances in prostate cancer treatment.”

The trial will use MRI scans to assess how a patient’s tumour responds after the first radiation dose. That response will then be used to customize the second treatment, incorporating each patient’s own biological response to radiation, rather than relying solely on a one-size-fits-all approach.

“The long-term goal is to deliver the right dose, to the right place, at the right time for each patient,” says Dr. Charles Kirkby, a Senior Medical Physicist at the Jack Ady Cancer Centre and principal investigator of the study. “This project represents a shift toward more precise, image-guided cancer care. If successful, it could redefine how prostate cancer radiotherapy is delivered, making treatment shorter, more individualized and potentially more effective without compromising safety.”

Following treatment, patients in the trial will be monitored for two years to assess the effectiveness of the treatment versus current standards. The outcomes will guide whether the streamlined approach can move forward.

The study is being conducted with support from the Owerko Family Centre for Clinical Trials in Calgary, helping establish new models for running clinical trials in community settings. The collaboration will help shape how future trials can be delivered more broadly across Alberta.

B-roll and photos relevant to the Jack Ady Cancer Centre and the DAPAR Clinical Trial are available for use here. Please credit the video to Health Shared Services.

Media Contacts
Ross Neitz | ACF Media Relations Advisor | 780.297.8354 | ross.neitz@albertacancer.ca 

Tyler Lines | Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation Marketing & Communications Coordinator | 403.512.9357 | tyler.lines@ahs.ca