Specific Aims

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Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive and exceptionally lethal malignancy, considered “recalcitrant” per the definitions of the US congressional Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act of 2012. To address this disease, NCI has launched this small cell lung cancer research consortium, including individual U01 research grants as well as a Coordinating Center to facilitate and integrate efforts among these investigators, including provision of centralized resources.

The Specific Aims of this Coordinating Center, vis-à-vis members of the Consortium and the NCI, are as follows:

Specific Aim 1: Facilitation of data exchange and meetings among SCLC investigators

The Coordinating Center provides overall administrative oversight and coordination between the Consortium members and the NCI, and facilitates information sharing among the Consortium members through coordination of monthly teleconferences with a rotating agenda, and an annual investigators meeting.

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Specific Aim 2: Centralized database support for preclinical and clinical SCLC resources

Complementing the biological resources in Aim 1, we are developing an integrated database for genetic, epigenetic, and gene expression data as well as treatment history and demographic data for human tissue samples and human tumor models. The Coordinating Center provides centralized biostatistical, bioinformatic, and –omic level data analysis support for the members of the Consortium.

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Specific Aim 3: Characterization of and access to relevant preclinical models of SCLC

There has been a recent acceleration in generation of novel representative preclinical models of SCLC. Models of interest include cell lines for in vitro and in vivo work, innovative genetically engineered mouse models, and patient-derived models including from tumor (PDX) and from circulating tumor cells (CDX). We are cataloging the spectrum of relevant preclinical models to facilitate access to these resources within and beyond the U01 Consortium. We also incorporate human tumor tissue microarray resources as a platform for target validation.

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