Each year, thousands of physicians enroll approximately 20,000 patients in NCI-sponsored clinical treatment trials. However, the large phase III studies can take 4 years or longer to accrue patients, delaying answers to important treatment questions. The new system will speed completion of studies and increase clinical trials access for both physicians and patients.

National Network of Physician Partners

Eventually, any interested, qualified physician--whether at a small community clinic, HMO, or large academic hospital--will have access to a broad range of NCI-sponsored clinical trials via the Cancer Trials Support Unit (CTSU). This nationwide network will increase the number of oncologists participating in clinical trials. Patients will benefit by having a broader range of clinical trials available through their local oncologist compared to what can be found currently.

• Patient enrollment and data entry will be streamlined and online, via the CTSU.
• A Web-based menu of open studies via the CTSU will simplify the search process, reducing the time it takes physicians to find appropriate clinical trials for their patients.
• Complete protocol information, in language appropriate for both patients and physicians, will be linked to the CTSU. This information will help both physicians and patients make informed decisions about participating in clinical trials.
• Initially, Cooperative Group members will belong to the Network and will co-develop the informatics systems. Expansion is planned to non-Group members once the CTSU systems are tested.

Special Populations Networks

The SPN is a new $60 million program addressing the unequal burden of cancer within certain special population groups. The networks are intended to build relationships between large research institutions and community-based programs. In addition to other key activities, these cooperative relationships will be used to foster cancer awareness, including support for minority enrollment in clinical trials.

• By encouraging minority participation in clinical trials, the NCI hopes to understand why cancer disproportionately affects special populations.
• Ongoing NCI efforts have raised the proportion of minority participation in treatment clinical trials to nearly 20 percent.

Physician Communication Module (PCM)

The NCI's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) and Howard University Cancer Center (HUCC) have expanded their collaborative effort to involve underrepresented populations in clinical trials and to broaden access to patients and physicians who have not previously participated in clinical trials.

• HUCC is participating in the Expanded Participation Project (EPP), utilizing a point-of-care technology called iKnowChart (iKC), software that provides clinical trial management.
• HUCC staff enter characteristics of patients whom they see in practice into the system, and iKC returns information on NCI EPP trials for which the patient might be eligible. Physicians can utilize iKC to work-up the patient for full inclusion/exclusion, enrollment, and follow-up.
• Last year CTEP extended the PCM to include Meharry Medical College (MMC), part of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance and the MMC/Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) Partnership.
• MMC is also participating in the EPP, utilizing iKC to increase the research activities at Meharry, increase the accrual of minority patients to NCI clinical trials, and substantially further NCI's informatics initiatives.

Back to Top

< Previous Section  |  Next Section >