@article{d47729f4da1e43ab8034a7833b487ed3,
title = "North Central Cancer Treatment Group-Achievements and Perspectives",
abstract = "The North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG) was founded in 1977 as a regional cooperative group to allow cancer patients in the upper Midwest of the United States to gain access to clinical trials in oncology by establishing a network of community oncology practices with one academic research base, the Mayo Clinic. Since then, the NCCTG has grown into an international cooperative group with 43 members in 33 US states and Canada. This article details 30 years of achievements of the NCCTG, including important scientific contributions from disease-specific and treatment modality committees, the cancer control program, patient-reported outcomes and quality-of-life research, and biostatisticians that support the NCCTG's specific aims: to improve the duration and quality of life of cancer patients, to enhance our understanding of the biological consequences of cancer and its treatment, and to improve methods for clinical trial conduct.",
author = "Axel Grothey and Adjei, {Alex A.} and Alberts, {Steve R.} and Perez, {Edith A.} and Jaeckle, {Kurt A.} and Loprinzi, {Charles L.} and Sargent, {Daniel J.} and Sloan, {Jeff A.} and Buckner, {Jan C.}",
note = "Funding Information: The primary aims of NCCTG are (1) to improve the duration and quality of life of cancer patients; (2) to improve our understanding of cancer biology and the biological consequences of treatment; (3) to improve methods of clinical trial conduct; and (4) to provide an infrastructure for cancer control research. These aims are accomplished through four disease-oriented scientific committees (Breast Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancers, Lung Cancer, and Neuro-oncology), three modality committees (Pathology, Radiation Oncology, and Surgery), three discipline-oriented committees (Cancer Control, Novel Therapeutics, and Quality of Life), and two advisory committees (Translational Research and Imaging). The conduct of scientific committees is supported by five core function committees: Oncology Nursing, Clinical Research Associates Board, Patient Advocate, Gender and Ethnic Diversity, and Audit. All scientific efforts are supported by the Statistics and Data Center, the NCCTG Operations Office, and the NCCTG Biospecimen Resource located in Rochester, MN. Specific findings from research efforts are discussed within the individual disease-related sections within this article. ",
year = "2008",
month = oct,
doi = "10.1053/j.seminoncol.2008.07.006",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "35",
pages = "530--544",
journal = "Seminars in oncology",
issn = "0093-7754",
publisher = "W.B. Saunders Ltd",
number = "5",
}