Friends of Cancer Research, with the Support of over 25 Leading Advocacy Organizations, Releases Report Identifying Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Priority Studies in Cancer

Today Friends of Cancer Research is releasing a new report: Expanding Comparative Effectiveness Research: Priority Areas in Oncology.The report being released today is the outgrowth of the June 2011 Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) conference that brought together key stakeholders from the entire cancer community. Over 40 initial topics were submitted for review and public input. 

The report describes specific areas of CER that could improve the field of oncology. It contains 13 comparative effectiveness research priority studies in oncology that identified by  by leaders of the cancer community, theFriends Comparative Effectiveness Research Advisory Committee, and the listed contributors to this document, recommend be addressed by public and private-sector funders of research. These entities include the publicly funded Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, other government agencies, academic research institutions and the private sector.

The following leading organizations have endorsed this document and priority study areas: Alliance for Aging Research; American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine; American Association for Cancer Research; American Society of Hematology; Association of American Cancer Institutes; Association of Community Cancer Centers; C-Change; Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups; Friends of Cancer Research; Intercultural Cancer Caucus Kidney Cancer Association; Lung Cancer Circle of Hope; Men's Health Network; National Coalition for Cancer Research; National Comprehensive Cancer Network; National Lung Cancer Partnership; National Patient Advocate Foundation; Ovarian Cancer National Alliance; Prevent Cancer Foundation; Prostate Conditions Education Council; Radiation Therapy Alliance; Society for Women's Health Research; Susan G. Komen for the Cure; The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization; Colon Cancer Alliance; ZERO - The Project to End Prostate Cancer

Topic Identification Process

Based on feedback from the public  forum participants and the Friends of Cancer Research CER Advisory Committee the initial studies were narrowed down to the top 13.

This list was cross referenced to Clinicaltrials.gov to better understand if research is currently being conducted similar to, or even duplicative of, those proposed. The result of each search is listed following the project summary.

Finally, each potential study has been evaluated by the reviewers listed below and ranked in three categories:

• Potential public health improvement
• Feasibility to conduct the study
• Unmet need for evidence that the study