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A new network for evaluating emerging technologies in diverse populations
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Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has announced a new national clinical trial launched by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to investigate emerging technologies for cancer screening, with the goal of reducing cancer-related illness and death. It is one of seven US institutions participating in the network. A key priority of the network is to ensure that clinical trials include participants from diverse populations.
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis will join a new clinical trials network launched by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to investigate new technologies for cancer screening. It is an object. Cancer-related illness and mortality. The School of Medicine is one of seven institutions in the United States receiving funding from NCI to conduct screening activities that are part of the Clinical Trials Network.
University of Washington researchers plan to collaborate closely Siteman Cancer Centeris based at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine and is leading the trial in parts of Missouri and Illinois. The network also aims to reach a diverse population, including those living in underserved areas.
The network’s primary focus is evaluating the effectiveness of screening technologies designed to detect multiple cancers with a single blood test. Although some of these multi-cancer detection tests are already in use, they have not received full FDA approval and continue to be evaluated. The network evaluates these tests with the aim of closing the early detection gap. Many cancers, including tumors of the pancreas, lungs, kidneys, ovaries, and liver, cannot be identified by standard screening tests and often go undetected until they are too advanced to be effectively treated.
“Multi-cancer detection tests could open the door to screening for many different types of cancer at the same time.” Dr. Amy Jamesprofessor of surgery at the University of Washington Public Health Sciences Division and co-leader Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program At Siteman. “But there is much we don’t know about the risks and benefits of these tests. Through our network, we can determine whether tests like this can detect cancer early and save lives. ”
Multiple cancer detection tests usually use blood samples. This test looks for signs of cancer, such as cancerous DNA or protein fragments. A positive result does not necessarily mean that a person has cancer, and the test cannot always identify the type of cancer that may be present. More tests are needed to find your specific cancer type and determine next steps. False positives and false negatives can occur with multi-cancer detection tests, and it remains unclear whether the benefits outweigh the risks, such as aggressively treating cancers that may not be a problem if left alone. Unknown.
The network plans to launch a pilot clinical trial called the Vanguard Study on Multiple Cancer Detection to learn more about the effectiveness of this type of test in early detection of multiple cancers. The pilot study will enroll up to 24,000 participants nationwide, and the results will be used to inform the design of a larger randomized controlled trial. Researchers across the network will assess whether the benefits of this type of early detection outweigh the risks and whether the test can reduce cancer deaths.
Another important priority for this network is to ensure that clinical trials include participants from diverse populations, including different races, ethnicities, geographic locations, and socio-economic statuses, and that they receive care in a variety of settings. is to guarantee that
“We know that screening tests can be expensive and not widely available, which can further exacerbate disparities in cancer treatment,” James says. “We want to change that. We will engage in discussions with community members about their preferences, hopes and concerns to guide our work and ensure good science that benefits the broader community. We have a panel of community partners who will help us implement it.”
Beyond multi-cancer detection tests, another example of an opportunity to improve early cancer detection is increasing the accessibility of lung cancer screening. Lung cancer screening is recommended for adults aged 50 to 80 who are heavy smokers or who have a history of heavy smoking. A heavy smoker might, for example, smoke one pack a day for 20 years, or two packs a day for 10 years. People who meet these criteria and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years are eligible for screening. However, only about 10% of people who meet these criteria are screened for lung cancer, despite evidence that screening reduces the risk of death from lung cancer in heavy smokers. Increasing access to this type of testing includes ensuring that testing is available in rural areas where access to health care is more difficult. Click here to learn more about Siteman’s lung cancer screening program..
Siteman Cancer Center is uniquely positioned to reach urban and rural communities in Missouri and southern Illinois. Siteman serves an area centered around 82 counties in these regions. Researchers hope to continue collaborating with health systems in the region and beyond to reach patients across Missouri and Illinois.
“We will conduct this study in collaboration with several community-based health systems in rural and urban areas to ensure our work reaches these communities,” James said. . “These health care providers have helped us design the study in an equitable and accessible way, so this study is not only done at large academic medical centers, but where most people go to health care.” It works wherever you have access.”
The Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN) site at the University of Washington is co-led by James. Park Yi Kyung, ScDand Adetunji T. Triola, MDall professors of surgery in the Department of Public Health. Department of Surgery. They are also research members at the Siteman Cancer Center, where Mr. Triola co-leads Siteman’s cancer prevention and control research program.
Other NIH-funded sites include the Network Coordination Center at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle and clinical trial sites at Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University Health Sciences that will enroll participants. Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, and Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. University of Oklahoma Health Stevenson Cancer Center. University of Colorado Cancer Center. University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Virginia Commonwealth University, including Inova and Sentara Health healthcare systems; The Department of Defense Uniformed Services University and the Department of Veterans Affairs will also participate as sites with funding from their respective agencies.
