The ALLG has been conducting clinical trials for the treatment and cure of blood cancers since 1973; 50 years of progress in blood cancer treatments through ALLG clinical trials in Australasia.
The origins of the ALLG date back to 1973 when Dr Fred Gunz, then director of the Kanematsu Institute at Sydney Hospital, convened a meeting of nine haematologists in Canberra to discuss the formation of a study group to perform clinical trials in leukaemia and lymphoma.
By 1975, the group was joined by haematologists from Perth and Auckland and subsequently adopted the name of the Australian and New Zealand Lymphoma Group (ANZLG). The first major trial conducted by the ANZLG was a randomised phase III clinical trial in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma which commenced in 1975 and was completed in 1978.
In 1982, Drs Ray Lowenthal and Paul Vincent organised a separate investigator meeting which led to the formation of the Australasian Leukaemia Study Group (ALSG).
After several years of collaboration, the ANZLG and ALSG merged in 1999 to form a unified clinical trials group, the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG), with Professor Ken Bradstock as the inaugural chairman.
Since this time, the ALLG has expanded its research portfolio to include not only lymphoma and leukaemia, but also bone marrow transplantation, multiple myeloma, supportive care and laboratory sciences, and established the ALLG National Leukaemia and Lymphoma Tissue Bank (NLLTB). In 2012, the ALLG established the National Blood Cancer Registry and Biobank.
The ALLG has undergone significant evolution since its inception in 1999 and has been instrumental in advancing blood cancer research in Australia and New Zealand. Today, the ALLG has a well-established international reputation and collaborative international trials are a feature of the ALLG trials portfolio.
Today, the ALLG’s 1,000 + members include a robust network of talented clinicians and researchers. We are also dedicated to nurturing our community of future leaders, having established in 2022 our Early Career Clinician Researcher mentoring program.
The ALLG today has a well-established international reputation and collaborative international trials are a feature of the ALLG trials portfolio.
Milestones
50 years of progress in blood cancer treatments through ALLG clinical trials in Australasia
Launch of ALLG Scientific Research Strategy to accelerate best science, evidence and effective outcomes in clinical trials
11,500 patients supported by ALLG trials overall from 1973 to 2021 including all ALLG trials, projects and registries
First-ever ALLG Virtual Scientific Meeting; bringing together over 500 ALLG Members, industry and foundation partners
ALLG joins new Australian Blood Cancer Taskforce, providing active leadership to working parties ‘Enabling Access’ and ‘Accelerating Research’
ALLG trials have been in 188 peer-reviewed publications in total, since established in 1973
Focused on having a global impact for Better Treatments…Better Lives
Development of the new Strategic Plan and the ALLG Story
ALLG switched from paper to electronic case report forms (CRFs)
Official opening of the new ALLG Headquarters in Richmond
Establishment of ALLG in-house Trial Centre
Establishment of a Board and Scientific Advisory Committee
Establishment of Operations Unit
First Cancer Australia Infrastructure Grant awarded
NHMRC Enabling Grant Awarded
Appointment of ALLG Executive Officer
First involvement of a Consumer Representative
Safe Data Monitoring Committee launched
ALLG National Leukaemia & Lymphoma Tissue Bank launched
Laboratory Science Committee formed
Fusion of ANZLG and ALSG to form the ALLG
Statistical Centre at Peter MacCallum engaged as Trial Centre
First publication appears
Australian Leukaemia Study Group Formed
First Trial Patient Registered
Australia & New Zealand Lymphoma Group Formed
Memberships
Donations
Clinical Trials & Research
Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as an Income Tax Exempt Charitable Entity.