Alberta Cancer Research Ethics Committee

The Alberta Health Services (AHS) Alberta Cancer Research Ethics Committee (ACREC) provides scientific and ethical review of all new protocols and annual renewals involving adult human subjects and/or research requiring access to personal information in the custody or control of AHS submitted by cancer researchers throughout the province of Alberta.

To reduce duplication of process, both on the part of the researchers and the members/administrative staff of the ACREC, a "single review" process for research will exist where appropriate for trials which are run at multiple sites. The process requires communication between north and south researchers, research teams, Clinical Research Unit staff, and the ACREC administrative staff.

What requires review?

The ACREC reviews research protocols involving human subjects or research requiring access to personal information conducted by those with scientific or clinical appointments within AHS. Clinical Research will be reviewed at the monthly ACREC meeting as per the schedule listed below.

Research of Minimal Risk - this includes chart reviews, image reviews and laboratory based studies. Applications for these types of studies will be accepted on the minimal risk application form and will be eligible for expedited review. Applications for Research of Minimal Risk are not subject to specific deadlines.

An ethics review is not generally required for quality assurance/quality improvement activities. Individuals should seek the advice of the ACREC Chair whenever there is uncertainty about the requirement for ethics review.

Researchers contemplating naturalistic observation should contact the ACREC Chair regarding the necessity of an ethics review.