NCI networks and cooperative groups help expand the number of patients enrolled onto research studies across multiple locations. With strength in numbers, these scientific networks enable researchers to collect more data that is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical trials. As part of these networks, VCU Massey is connected to a centralized, federally-funded infrastructure that accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into standard clinical practice.
For investigators, network membership provides opportunities for national collaboration, access to robust infrastructure and extensive biospecimen repositories, funding pathways and the ability to conduct practice-changing trials, such as rare cancer studies and treatment de-escalation that commercial sponsors rarely fund. For patients, these networks deliver local access to cutting-edge therapies and precision medicine without requiring travel to distant academic medical centers, while ensuring high-quality, heavily monitored care that prioritizes survivorship, symptom management and improved quality of life.
Learn more about the cooperative groups VCU Massey actively participates in below.
NCTN, which includes more than 2,000 enrolling sites across the U.S., Canada and internationally, provides support for the design, development and activation of clinical trials testing new standards of care and advanced imaging approaches. U.S. NCTN groups include:
- Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
- Children's Oncology Group
- ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
- NRG Oncology
- SWOG Cancer Research Network
Massey's participation in the NCORP network offers patients access to clinical research opportunities regardless of where they live, with an emphasis on increasing representation of patient populations within Massey’s catchment area. NCORP also promotes capacity building across more than 10 affiliate sites and community-based practices interested in conducting clinical research.
The Virginia CSRN is exploring new ways to screen beyond the current five screenable cancers, including multi-cancer detection and emerging screening technologies. VCU Massey, together with Inova and Sentara Health, serves as one of nine national sites leading activation and enrollment for preventive care clinical trials.
The NCI’s ETCTN provides access to early phase clinical trials nationally. The network evaluates emerging cancer therapies using a team-based approach to refine scientific design of studies and dose optimization for new treatment options.