Aug/Sept 2015 Newsletter 
Clinical Trial Working Groups
  • Open trial: Renal cell carcinoma (Illinois)
  • Current concepts:
    • Bladder (Iowa)
    • Bladder (Penn State)
  • Next call: Wednesday, October 7 
    at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT
  • Approved LOI: Esophageal (Indiana)
  • Next call: Friday, September 11 at 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT
  • Trial in start-up: Hepatocellular (Indiana)
  • Approved LOI:
    • Esophageal (Indiana)
    • Gastric/GE Junction Adenocarcinoma (Northwestern)
  • Current concept: Hepatocellular (Wisconsin)
  • Next call: Thursday, October 22 at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT
  • Current concepts:
    • First line triple negative metastatic breast cancer (Penn State)
    • ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2- breast cancer (Illinois)
    • Newly diagnosed ER+, HER2- breast cancer (Minnesota)
    • Triple negative breast cancer (2 concepts) (Wisconsin)
  • Next call: Wednesday, October 14 at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT
  • Approved LOI: Endometrial carcinoma (Northwestern)
  • Next call: Thursday, September 3 at 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT.
  • Current conceptSquamous cell carcinoma of the skin (Rutgers)
  • Next call: Thursday, November 19 at 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT
  • Current concepts (not yet presented):
    • Peripheral T-cell lymphoma (3 concepts) (Michigan)
    • Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (2 concepts) (Michigan)
    • Lymphoma (Minnesota)
  • Next call: Wednesday, September 16 at 11 a.m. ET / 10 a.m. CT
  • Current concept: Acute myeloid leukemia (Indiana)
  • Next call: Thursday, September 10 at 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT
  • Current concept: Multiple myeloma (Indiana)
  • Next call: Friday, September 11 at 10 a.m. ET / 9 a.m. CT 
 
Submit a Concept: Contact Jessica Roy at jroy@bigtencrc.org or 317-634-5842, ext. 19

Join a CTWG: Contact Donna LaPlaca Sullivan at  dsullivan@bigtencrc.org or 317-634-5842, ext. 40.

Support the BTCRC
BTCRC Foundation accepting donations 
The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Foundation is accepting donations to support the collaborative research activities of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (BTCRC).
 
BTCRC member institutions support the work of 2,600 cancer researchers, provide care for more than 50, 000 new cancer patients every year, and enroll 20,000 patient volunteers to participate in cancer clinical trials. Donations to the Foundation support a wide range of activities that help the BTCRC further its mission to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative, hypothesis-driven, highly translational oncology trials that leverage the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities.
 
"The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium was established to support the most important collaborative projects developed by cancer researchers based at the Big Ten Cancer Centers," said George Weiner, MD, director of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa and chair of the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Foundation. "Working together on these projects will accelerate our ability to apply research advances to help our patients. Our researchers have many more good ideas than we currently have funding to support. Funds provided through the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Foundation will allow the consortium to support the most promising collaborative cancer research projects that otherwise could not be done."
 
Featured Member Profile
"Similar to other Big Ten Cancer Centers, translating basic knowledge gained into improved cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment is one of our main priorities. This is done through cancer-specific research groups (e.g. breast, prostate, or lung cancer groups) and target/discipline-specific research groups (e.g. immunology, imaging). These same research groups interact with other Big Ten Cancer Centers to expand each other's influence and value to patients." Read more in this conversation with Howard Bailey, MD, director of the UW Carbone Cancer Center, our featured member for September. 

To see past member features, click here.
Q&A: Research Development 
The BTCRC reintroduces its Q&A series for investigators this month, with a focus on research development. Questions addressed in this Q&A include:
  • What type of trial is the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (BTCRC) looking to perform?
  • How do I submit a concept to the BTCRC?
  • Which working groups are currently active? How do I join a working group?
  • At what point should I submit my concept to the BTCRC?
  • Does the BTCRC provide funding for my trial?
  • What assistance do you provide to the PI early in the trial process?

 Read more

Across the Consortium
Ultimate success in the fight against cancer requires advances at every stage. In this month's edition of
Across the Consortium, we celebrate victories at a number of critical stages in cancer research. Through thesis formation to diverse funding acquisition, opportunities for new programs arise, leading to further innovation, collaboration, and success.

Read more