Report

Multi-Center Phase III Clinical Trials and NCI Cooperative Groups. Workshop Summary

Released:: January 23, 2009
Type:: Workshop Summary
Topics:: Biomedical and Health Research, Diseases
Activity:: National Cancer Policy Forum
Board:: Board on Health Care Services

Note: Workshop Summaries contain the opinion of the presenters, but do NOT reflect the conclusions of the IOM. Learn more about the differences between Workshop Summaries and Consensus Reports.

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cooperative Group Program is one of the primary venues for the conduct of cancer clinical trials. The cooperative groups collectively recruit roughly 22,000 patients in more than 1,700 institutions to participate in multi-center clinical trials each year. Compared to industry clinical trials, the Cooperative Group Program conducts more trials focused on the best management of disease rather than on specific agents, and includes trials on cancer prevention, early detection, and comparative effectiveness.

The NCI-sponsored cooperative groups have made important contributions to improving treatment for many types of cancer, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, and childhood cancers. Cooperative group research has been instrumental in establishing innovative treatments that improve outcomes and quality of life. Despite these successes, the Cooperative Group Program has faced a number of challenges that threaten its effectiveness, including cumbersome, complex processes that have created inefficiencies, flat budgetary allocations, and lagging patient and physician participation.

To address this problem, the National Cancer Policy Forum (NCPF) convened a workshop titled "Multi-Center Phase III Clinical Trials and NCI Cooperative Groups" in Washington, DC, on July 1-2, 2008. The purpose of the workshop was to outline the challenges that the public clinical cancer research enterprise faces, and to identify possible solutions to these challenges.

The proceedings of this workshop will serve as an input to an IOM committee examining the role of the NCI cooperative groups in the conduct of cancer clinical trials. That committee's consensus report is scheduled for release in spring 2010.

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Other Reports by this Activity

Displaying: 3 of 15 Reports

Facilitating Collaborations to Develop Combination Investigational Cancer Therapies - Workshop Summary Advances in biomedical research have increased our understanding of the complex nature of disease and the interaction of multiple molecular pathways involved in cancer. Combining investigational products early in their development is thought to be a promising strategy for identifying effective therapies. The IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum held a workshop to discuss challenges and identify potential solutions to improve collaboration and advance the development of combination investigational cancer therapies.
Released: October 31, 2011
Implementing a National Cancer Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century - Workshop Summary The National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program works to advance patient care and research. Despite broad participation in the program, financial strain and procedural burdens limit the ability of the Cooperative Group Program to undertake medical practice-changing clinical research. The IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum and the American Society of Clinical Oncology held a workshop on March 21, 2011 to follow up on the 2010 IOM report A National Clinical Trials System for the 21st Century: Reinvigorating the NCI Cooperative Group Program, which made recommendations to strengthen the NCI Cooperative Group Program.
Released: July 22, 2011
Patient-Centered Cancer Treatment Planning: Improving the Quality of Oncology Care - Workshop Summary The life-threatening nature of cancer and the complexity of cancer treatment options, each with its own set of potential risks and benefits, make it difficult for people with cancer to make decisions about their care. A cancer treatment plan—a written document describing the path of care and who is responsible for each portion of that care—can provide patients with a roadmap to navigate the uncertain path they face. However, most providers lack the tools, time, and resources needed to efficiently and effectively prepare such plans with their patients. The IOM’s National Cancer Policy Forum held a workshop to discuss ways to create a more coordinated, patient-centered cancer treatment planning process.
Released: June 13, 2011