A clinical trial funded by the Canadian Cancer Society and led by Dr. Timothy Winton of Edmonton is considered by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to be one of the top cancer research projects to be completed in 2005.

In a major leap forward in the treatment of lung cancer, Dr. Winton’s research proved that chemotherapy after surgery to remove early-stage lung cancer boosts patient survival by 15%.

ASCO included this study in its annual review of the most significant clinical research of 2005, listing it among 11 research findings that will have the greatest impact on patient care.

"These results have been recognized by experts around the world as a pivotal study that has changed the standard of care for lung cancer," said Dr. Winton, who has traveled around North America, Europe, South East Asia and Australia talking about his work over the past year.

"We as Canadians should be very proud that we were able to design, implement and stay the course with this study. We were very fortunate to have patients and colleagues who were willing to take the leap of faith with us."

The clinical trial began 15 years ago with the theory that two chemotherapy drugs, vinorelbine and cisplatin, administered soon after surgery to remove tumours caused by non-small-cell lung cancer would improve patient outcome.

At that time, surgery was the only treatment available for patients with this common type of lung cancer. The tumours often recurred outside of the lung within a few years, where they were deadly. Past studies on post-surgery chemotherapy had shown little or no benefit.

With the support of the NCIC Clinical Trials Group, which is funded in part by the Canadian Cancer Society, Dr. Winton and his collaborators embarked on the lengthy study, which involved 482 patients from Canada and the United States.

In the study, 69 per cent of patients who had surgery and chemotherapy were still alive five years later, compared with 54 per cent who had surgery alone – an improvement of 15%. Overall, patients given chemotherapy lived on average 20 months longer than those who had only surgery.

Dr. Winton, division director of thoracic surgery at the University of Alberta, said volunteers and donors who support the Canadian Cancer Society were critical to the success of this research.

"Without their support, this wouldn’t have come to pass," he said. "You have helped us move forward in the treatment of lung cancer."