PROJECT DESCRIPTION:  This IOM committee is reviewing the organization and operation of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cooperative Group System and working on recommending ways to improve the quality of cancer clinical trials conducted by the Groups. Specifically, the committee is developing recommendations for:

- Improving the design, review, and operation of clinical trials
- Reducing the prolonged period of time currently spent moving from initial concept to final approval
- Prioritizing trials and trial sites based on scientific merit and past performance
- Increasing participation of both clinicians and patients
- Making greater use of technologies such as imaging and biomarkers to select therapies for development and testing, to match patients and therapies, and to monitor patient responses
- Defining standards for minimal data requirements to establish safety and efficacy of experimental therapies
- Reducing costs and ensuring adequate funds for high quality trials
- Promoting greater collaboration among various stakeholders