NCI Clinical Trials Plan

Armitage Report - This 1997 report from the NCI's Clinical Trials Program Review Group launched the planning for the new clinical trials system. Dr. James O. Armitage from the University of Nebraska served as the Group's chair.

NCI Clinical Trials Implementation Committee - This committee translated the Armitage Report's recommendations into a working plan. It was co-chaired by Dr. John Glick of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Michaele C. Christian of the NCI.

Cancer Clinical Trials - A New National System - This NCI Web site explains the new clinical trials system.

National Cooperative Groups

The Cooperative Groups are networks of health care professionals at various healthcare hospitals and institutions that collaborate to conduct medical research and cancer clinical trials. Below is a list of Cooperative Groups and links to their home page.

American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) - The American College of Radiology Imaging Network seeks to advance diagnostic imaging and image-guided interventional procedures through collaborative clinical trials with qualified investigators and institutions

American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) - is an organization of surgeons, physician oncologists from related medical disciplines, and other health care professionals, which is dedicated to improving the survival of patients with cancer. The ACOSOG defines standards of care by conducting prospective, randomized, clinical trials which evaluate surgical procedures, and adjuvant therapies, in patients with malignant tumors.

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) - is one of the largest clinical cancer research organizations in the United States, and conducts clinical trials in all types of adult cancers.

Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) - is a national organization dedicated to clinical research in the field of gynecologic cancer.

National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) - is a cooperative group that was formed in 1971 to conduct clinical trials in breast and colorectal cancer research.

North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) - is an affiliation of approximately 20 community clinics throughout the United States with a research base located at Mayo Cancer Center in Rochester, Minnesota. The main activity of the NCCTG is the development and implementation of clinical cancer research studies.

Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) - The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conducts clinical trials employing radiotherapy alone and in combination with other modalities (such as surgery and chemotherapy) in a range of cancers. The Group is also active in using different radiotherapeutic modalities such as implantation (brachytherapy), radiosurgery, and three dimensional conformal treatment planning

Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) - initiated in 1958, the Southwest Oncology Group is one of the largest of the National Cancer Institute-supported cancer clinical trials cooperative groups. It is dedicated to making progress in the cure and prevention of adult cancers through clinical research. The Group's Operations Office is located in San Antonio, Texas, and its Statistical Center is in Seattle, Washington. The Operations Office coordinates cancer treatment and chemoprevention studies conducted by over 4,000 physicians throughout the United States, in provinces of Canada, and in Korea. Funding comes from research grants awarded by the National Cancer Institute and from pharmaceutical companies. As a result of Southwest Oncology Group clinical trials, new drugs have been developed for the treatment of prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, bladder cancer and colon cancer.

Pediatric Cooperative Groups

Children's Oncology Group (COG) - a network of health care professionals at various health care hospitals and institutions that collaborate to conduct medical research and cancer clinical trials.

National Wilms' Tumor Study Group (NWTSG) - is intended to be a resource to families, physicians and researchers to learn more about Wilms tumor. The information is designed to provide information about the diagnosis and treatment of Wilms tumor as well as the long-term outcome of children who have been successfully treated for the disease.

Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium (PBTC) - is a multidisciplinary cooperative research organization devoted to the study of correlative tumor biology and new therapies for primary CNS tumors of childhood.

International Cooperative Groups

European Organization For Research And Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) - a non-profit European organisation dedicated to research about the treatment of cancer. It is based on a network of more than 2,000 clinicians and scientists working in healthcare institutions and research organisations distributed over 37 different countries. The research program of the organisation covers both laboratory and clinical research (new drug development as well as clinical trials answering major public health questions).

National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) - is a cooperative group which carries out clinical trials in cancer therapy and supportive care across Canada and internationally. It is one of the national programs and networks of the National Cancer Institute of Canada, and is supported by the C with funds raised by the Canadian Cancer Society. The NCIC itself is supported by the CCS and the Terry Fox Foundation.

NIH/NCI Resource Sites

Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) - is the program within the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) of the NCI which plans, assesses, and coordinates all aspects of clinical trials including extramural clinical research programs, internal resources, treatment methods and effectiveness, and compilation and exchange of data as it pertains to the development and evaluation of anticancer agents.

Cancer Information Service (CIS)- is the National Cancer Institute's link to the public, interpreting and explaining research finding in a clear and understandable manner.

National Cancer Institute (NCI) - is one of the 25 institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and one of eight agencies that compose the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The NCI, established under the National Cancer Act of 1937, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research and training. This site contains information on cancer, treatment options, clinical trials, prevention, and genetics, support groups and other resources.

National Cancer Institutes Publications Locator- is an on-line service that provides Internet users access to National Cancer Institute publications. Web users may order printed materials to be mailed to them and may view and download those NCI materials that are currently available on-line.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)- one of the world's foremost medical research centers. An agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH is the Federal focal point for health research. NIH is the steward of biomedical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability.

PDQ® Clinical Trials Search Form - a direct access to PDQ database of cancer clinical trials.

Central Institutional Review Board - CIRB - NCI's Central Institutional Review Board (CIRB) is a pilot project to facilitate the local IRB approval process, for Phase III adult cancer treatment trials. Available are its history, how it works, policies and procedures, how to join, and list of approved protocols.

Federal Agency Resource Sites

Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) - the Office for Human Research Protections of the Department of Health and Human Services offers guidance for Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), investigators and sponsors considering research activities.

ClinicalTrials.gov - provides patients, family members and members of the public easy and free access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.

FDA Cancer Liaison Program - answers questions directed to FDA by patients, their friends and family members and patient advocates about therapies for life-threatening diseases.

Disease Specific Resource Sites

Breast
National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) - a grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer through action and advocacy.

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation - the mission of the foundation is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

Prostate
Prostate Cancer Foundation - an online resource to learn about new prostate cancer research, nutritional strategies and initiatives for increasing national investment in research.

National Prostate Cancer Coalition - a group of researchers, philanthropists, and cancer survivors formed The National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) to boost the level of federal funding for prostate cancer research.

Us Too! International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network - Us Too! is a not-for-profit organization providing information, counseling and educational meetings to assist men with prostate disease (and their spouses / partners) in making decisions about their treatment with confidence and support.

Others
Blood & Marrow Transplant Information Network - a not-for-profit organization that provides publications and support services to bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cell, and cord blood transplant patients and survivors. All literature--including Blood & Marrow Transplant Newsletter (formerly BMT Newsletter)-- is written in lay language, and reviewed for accuracy by a team of medical experts from transplant centers throughout the US and Canada. Also available are directory of transplant centers, which includes information on types and number of transplants performed & diseases treated, a Resource Directory, an attorney list to help resolve insurance problems and a "Patient-to-Survivor" telephone link.

Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA) - is an organization made up of colon and rectal cancer survivors, caregivers, and people with a genetic predisposition to colorectal cancer. The Colon Cancer Alliance offers support and information services to those battling colorectal cancer.

International Myeloma Foundation - dedicated to improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure.

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan) - focuses national attention on the need to find the cure for pancreatic cancer. Provides public and professional education that embraces the urgent need for more research, effective treatments, prevention programs, and early detection methods.

The Brain Tumor Society (TBTS) - exists to find a cure for brain tumors. It strives to improve the quality of life of brain tumor patients and their families. It disseminates educational information and provides access to psycho-social support. It raises funds to advance carefully selected scientific research projects, improve clinical care and find a cure.

Resource Sites

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) - is the world's oldest professional organization representing 15,000 laboratory and clinical scientists engaged in basic, translational and clinical cancer research in the United States and more than 60 other countries. AACR's mission is to prevent and cure cancer. Its principal activities include scientific communications; science education and training of young scientists; public education; scientific meetings that present the latest discoveries in the field; international programs; and the publication of four major peer-reviewed scientific journals (Cancer Research, Clinical Cancer Research, Cell Growth & Differentiation, and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention).

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) - an interactive resource for ASCO members and other oncology professionals involved in the multidisciplinary care of patients with cancer.

Ask Cnet- queries public use data files released by population-based cancer registries.

Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) - is the primary resource for clinical research professionals in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries, as well as those in hospital, academic medical centers, and physician office settings.

Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) - is the primary professional discipline providing psychosocial services to patients, families and caregivers facing the impact of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Coalition of National Cancer Cooperative Groups, Inc.- a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival of cancer patients by increasing participation in cancer clinical trials.

Intercultural Cancer Council (ICC) - is a coalition of national organizations, leading health officials, and cancer survivors joined together to analyze and help remedy the factors contributing to the higher incidence and lower survival rate from cancer among minority and medically underserved groups in America.

International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association - government and pharmaceutical industry representatives of Europe, Japan and the United States and that are working to standardize scientific, technical and regulatory aspects of clinical trials and product registration.

Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) - is a peer reviewed cancer information service developed for ONS members, other healthcare providers, people with cancer and their families and friends.

PDR.net - is a medical and healthcare Web site created by Medical Economics Company Inc., publisher of healthcare magazines and directories including the PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference).

Quality Assurance Review Center (QARC)- a National Data and Review Center.

Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA)- a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to the advancement and continuing education of clinical research professionals.

State of the Science - audiovisual presentations and transcripts from State of the Science meetings (a pilot project of the National Cancer Institute), along with links to related information.