Clinical and Translational Cancer Control Research Training Program

This is a fourth competing renewal of the Clinical and Translational Cancer Control Research Training Program (CCRTP) led by Drs. Michelle Janelsins, Luke Peppone, and Gary Morrow of the University of Rochester (UR) and Wilmot Cancer Institute (WCI). The primary aim of the 2- to 3-year CCRTP is to provide PhD and MD trainees with the tools and experiences necessary to establish careers as outstanding independent investigators in cancer control research. This program fills an unmet need to train the next generation of cancer control investigators. As improvements in cancer treatments increase survival rates, there are 20 million cancer survivors; these survivors continue to experience ongoing side effects that negatively impact quality of life. Thus, there is a greater need to better understand the numerous debilitating side effects of cancer treatment and develop interventions. The program combines didactic and “hands-on” research training activities. We focus on four core training areas (i.e., clinical trials, translational science, biostatistics, and professional development), along with specialty training areas of choice in psychological interventions, exercise oncology, geriatric oncology, and nutrition. Dr. Peppone, a former graduate of the CCRTP, formally joins Drs. Janelsins and Morrow as MPI to enhance the nutritional and natural product component of the CCRTP, providing synergy with Drs. Janelsins and Morrow’s expertise in clinical trials. For example, a number of recent trainees have focused on interventions such as Mediterranean diet, time-restricted eating, and fucoidan supplementation to alleviate side effects. Drs. Janelsins, Peppone, and Morrow are joined by 20 multidisciplinary, outstanding, experienced R01-funded mentors and 5 junior co-mentors with NCI K Awards from 10 academic departments, and exceptional infrastructure support from the NCI-funded University of Rochester Cancer Center Community Oncology Research Program (URCC NCORP) Research Base, among others, as well as unparalleled institutional support to the Division of Supportive Care in Cancer specifically for trainees in the program to conduct and publish independent analyses and develop their own independent clinical and translational research projects. These research experiences are complemented by completion of a Master’s (MS or MPH) degree focused in clinical investigation, epidemiology, translational research, health services, or data science. For our last 5 classes, 78 applicants have been evaluated; 12 outstanding candidates were selected for on-site interviews; all accepted and matriculated. They have produced 143 unique manuscripts, obtained several outstanding research awards, and earned K-level research funding and tenure-track faculty positions. A majority (90%) of our trainees are still in academic cancer research careers at Assistant (9), Associate (24), and Full (5) Professor level; many are now leaders as directors of major programs within cancer centers. Our next renewal will continue to build upon this momentum with new innovations and retaining pearls of success with our ultimate goal of improving the lives of patients with cancer.