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Cancer research funding
ASCO and the Institute of Medicine plan to host a workshop Feb. 11-12, 2013, on the continuing efforts to reorganize the nation’s federally-funded cancer clinical trials cooperative group system overseen by the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
“The workshop provides an opportunity for the research community to discuss and strategize about how we can work together to improve this system for our patients and advance cancer prevention, detection, and treatment for future generations,” said Monica Bertagnolli, MD, chair of the IOM-ASCO workshop planning committee. Dr. Bertagnolli is chief, Division of Surgical Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and group chair, Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.
Under the Request for Applications issued last July for the new National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), the NCI plans to fund grants for four adult cooperative groups and one pediatric group. This new network will replace NCI’s National Clinical Trials Cooperative Group program. Nine previously existing adult cooperative groups have worked to consolidate over nearly two years. Reorganized entities must submit applications to the NCTN program by Jan. 15, 2013. If approved, the earliest funding start date is March 1, 2014. NCI expects to award $160.5 million for the network in fiscal year 2014.
In March 2011, IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum and ASCO brought together clinical trials stakeholders, ASCO members, and federal agency representatives to discuss how to increase the efficiency and productivity of the clinical trials system. The 2011 agenda was focused on strategies to implement the IOM’s 2010 consensus report, “A National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century.”
This second workshop will build upon these goals and is slated to address funding challenges, prioritization of research, effective partnerships, and regulatory challenges.
For further information:
Implementing a National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century: Workshop #2: http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Disease/NCPF/2013-FEB-11.aspx
ASCO information on revitalization efforts: http://asco.org/GroupReorganization
NCI investigator resources: http://ctep.cancer.gov/investigatorResources/default.htm
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