The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Oncology Research Program (ORP), in collaboration with Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning & Change (IGLC), recently awarded six independent grants to health care institutions following a joint Request for Proposals (RFP) focused on the development and adoption of evidence-based initiatives to improve patient care and outcomes in renal cell carcinoma and hematologic malignancies.
"The NCCN ORP is extremely pleased that this collaborative initiative with Pfizer has funded important research-based education that has the potential to significantly improve the quality of care for patients with renal or hematologic malignancies," said Diane E. Paul, MS, RN, Vice President, NCCN ORP.
The intent of the RFP was to encourage academic and community-based organizations to submit proposals describing concepts and ideas for design and implementation of systems or programs that narrow clinical practice gaps and improve the care of patients with rare cancer types through the establishment of education and support mechanisms for community oncologists.
The following proposals have been awarded funding:
•Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center at The University of Nebraska Medical Center; Project EXTEND: A Community Extended Case Conference to Improve Lymphoma Care
•Duke Cancer Institute; Novel Educational Interventions for Community Oncologists and Patients to Optimize Renal Cell Carcinoma Outcomes
•East Carolina University; Enhancing Provider Education and Improving Healthcare Disparities in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Multiple Myeloma (MM) through a Rural Regional North Carolina Hospital Network
•Fox Chase Cancer Center; Improving the Care of Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) via a Patient and Provider Intervention Program
•National Marrow Donor Program; Referral for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies: Addressing Clinical Practice and Education Gaps among Oncologists
•University of Colorado Cancer Center; Determining and Addressing Adherence to the NCCN Guidelines for Chronic Phase CML
The awardees responded to an RFP issued by the NCCN ORP in collaboration with Pfizer IGLC to the NCCN Member Institutions, as well as other academic and community hospitals throughout the United States. The RFP sought concepts for initiatives focusing on the following areas:
•Health care provider education and incorporating education into practice
•Provider/patient communications and treatment decision-making
•Increasing the use of evidence-based recommendations for management of renal cell carcinoma or hematologic malignancies
•Information related to patient assistance programs and other patient-centered resources
The NCCN ORP, organized to obtain funding to support scientifically meritorious research studies at NCCN Member Institutions and the NCCN Affiliate Research Consortium (ARC), was the lead organization for the review and evaluation of applications. The review committee, led by NCCN and including a medical representative from Pfizer, decided which proposals received funding. More than $2 million in grant funding was provided by Pfizer IGLC.
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