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NEWS |
PUBLIC VS. PRIVATE?
Cooperative Groups Say NCI Trials Funding Inadequate; Some Turn to Industry
| The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. |
Clinical trials sponsored by the National Cancer Institute have played an immense role in the fight against cancer. While industry-sponsored trials focus chiefly on new-drug development, NCI's trials tackle a broader social agenda, fueled by cancer prevention, quality-of-life issues for patients, and the competing benefits of different treatments or treatment combinations. Much of NCI's research into the biology of cancer laid the groundwork for drug development by the pharmaceutical industry.
Now, financial shortfalls threaten NCI's clinical trials programs. Several universities have already said they will not participate in NCI trials unless they find supplemental funding because the money provided does not cover their costs. Because of thisshortfall, more universities are turning toward industry-funded trials, which are less likely to tackle basic cancer questions.
"Cancer centers increasingly can’t afford to do public research [funded by the NCI], and that forces investigators towards drug company studies; these decisions are now being made
A Competing Agenda
Chronic Shortages
A New Era?
NCI Clinical Trials Primer
Cooperative Groups
Community Clinical Oncology