NCI Cancer Screening Research Network: Coordinating and Communication Center

The promise of early detection to reduce the burden of cancer is an easily understood and highly desired intervention point in the cancer continuum. Recent developments of multicancer detection (MCD) technologies have fueled already strong interest in their use, well in advance of compelling data describing the impact of MCD-based screening on cancer mortality. In addition to limited data available on sensitivity and lead time to assess these MCD tests, the complexities of implementing them in a real-world clinical environment require careful evaluation to assess the frequency of achieving resolution of a positive MCD test (i.e., a specific cancer diagnosis), the nature, timeline and cost of those procedures, and the potential to increase cancer worry and differences in health outcomes. To help to address these critical gaps in data, the Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN) will be a cooperative group structure with the expertise, infrastructure and access to appropriate patient populations needed to provide high quality evidence on the value of MCD tests in real-world settings. The goal for the Vanguard phase is to design and conduct a randomized controlled feasibility trial of two promising MCD tests. The CSRN Communication and Coordinating Center (CCC) in conjunction with the CSRN Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC) and the NCI will lead and support this critical national effort. Our specific objectives are to: (1) Provide exceptional scientific and clinical expertise in the design and implementation of multicenter cancer screening trials, and particularly randomized trials evaluating MCD assays. (2) Develop the organizational structure and administrative relationships to assure CSRN success. (3) Develop and maintain effective communication channels and materials to promote CSRN success (4) Support CSRN ACCESS sites in their recruitment and retention efforts. By these efforts, the CSRN will assess the feasibility of and establish the core infrastructure needed to conduct future full-scale trials of MCD tests and other cancer screening studies. Through the efforts of the Vanguard phase, the CSRN will create the infrastructure, data and learnings needed to support full-scale trials and additional observational studies of the most promising MCD tests and other cancer screening approaches.