The Department of Clinical Oncology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong has become an ideal place to undertake clinical trials in cancer. The Department offers a comprehensive and completely integrated service involving Medical Oncology (including haematological oncology), Radiotherapy, Medical Physics and Basic Science. Each year between 3800 and 4000 new patients suffering from various types of cancer are treated within the department. With the physical facilities of the Sir Yue-kong Pao Center for Cancer and the available clinical and paramedical expertise, the department has been able to build up extensive experience in the procedures for setting up clinical trials within Hong Kong. With the advise of the Center's internationally renowned Scientific Advisors in 1995, the work has focused mainly on those disease sites highly prevalent in Hong Kong.

The Department of Clinical Oncology established the "Center for Trials, Drug Development and Novel Therapeutics" in 1996 with the aim of conducting clinical trials according to the Good Clinical Practice guidelines. More than 30 Phase II/III clinical trials have been completed in the first 5 years. Currently there are approximately 25 on-going studies with several more at the planning stage. Research laboratories based at the Sir Y.K. Pao Center for Cancer provide support for basic science research on tumor markers, molecular genetics, immunology and molecular virology. With the recognition of the increasing need to run a translational research program as a bridge between basic science and clinical research, the "Center for Trials, Drug Development and Novel Therapeutics" has been restructured with the "Comprehensive Cancer Trials Unit (CCTU)" established in 2001. Dr. Benny Zee previously Senior Biostatistician of the Clinical Trials Group of the National Cancer Institute of Canada was appointed as the Director of the CCTU in January 2001.

The CCTU has an office of about 15 staff, including study nurses, statisticians, programmers, data entry clerks, an administrative assistant, and clinicians chairing different disease and modality sites. The sites include liver, nasopharynx, breast, lung, colon, lymphoma, radiotherapy/NPC, and supportive care. The proximity of the basic science laboratories and the clinics provides both intellectual and practical support for members of the unit. Methodological research on design and analysis and biostatistical supports for clinical trials are also provided within the CCTU.