Core C: Biostatistics

Biostatistics Core – Summary The Biostatistics Core provides integrative statistical support to the Iowa Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) SPORE projects, cores, developmental research program, and career enhancement program. The comprehensive nature of the Biostatistics Core encompasses basic, translational, and clinical projects, assuring each SPORE investigator dedicated access to statistical expertise that includes study design, data analysis, results interpretation, data management resources, abstract / manuscript / grant preparation, and synergistic interaction with all other cores of the Iowa NET SPORE through information sharing and data set compilation. The Biostatistics Core builds upon the innovative infrastructures and systems in the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Department of Biostatistics in the College of Public Health. Design and analysis support have been and will continue to be provided across a range of fields and topics, including basic science and clinical trials, association analysis, survival analysis, biomarker discovery, immunohistochemistry tissue linkage, imaging pharmacokinetics and dosimetry, and population science. The Core designed, developed, and will upgrade the Iowa Neuroendocrine Tumor Database. Support is also provided for the management and integration of existing and newly collected data through consistent and compatible data handling. The Core will improve data integration by reviewing linking identifiers and ensuring that all investigators and data sources are using universal IDs that allow linking across potential data sources, and by providing an interactive portal that allows investigators easy browsing of available data sets. Additional areas of support for clinical trials include data form development and processing, quality control, and data safety monitoring. In addition to being actively involved with the experimental design and preparation of statistical plans for the three projects within this application, the Biostatistics Core has and will continue to provide data analysis and management for all studies, as well as the preparation of data summaries for manuscript publication. Altogether, strengths of the Biostatistics Core are complete integration into, and synergistic interaction with, each of the SPORE projects and associated cores, the unique Iowa Neuroendocrine Tumor Database linkage with tissue immunohistochemistry information, and the breadth of expertise provided by the Biostatistics personnel. Robust biostatistics integration is critical for the Iowa NET SPORE to conduct effective translational research in NETs. The Biostatistics Core provides this expertise through full integration of biostatistics into project design, implementation, execution, analysis, publication and grant development; through synergistic facilitation of shared research outcomes among the SPORE projects and cores; and through career development via biostatistics mentoring, training and an education program tailored to NET SPORE investigators.