Lung Cancer SPORE

CALL FOR TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECTS IN LUNG CANCER

To plan the 2010 renewal of:
The Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in Lung Cancer
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

The Lung Cancer SPORE of the UPCI is soliciting ideas for 5-year translational research projects in preparation for the renewal of the grant in September, 2010. Over the next 9 months, 4 major projects will be developed for inclusion in the grant application. Each project selected for inclusion in the final application will use the new NIH grant format, which requires a 13-page write-up including 1 page for specific aims. Preliminary data in support of the hypothesis and aims must be included, as well as thorough statistical justification for the study. Draft of selected projects will be due in July 2010, to allow time for editing and integration with the entire application. Each major project selected for the SPORE renewal must have a clear translational objective that is feasible to achieve in 5 years. This may include a clinical trial, a population study endpoint such as a risk model, or production of a validated new agent for therapy. Each project must utilize human tissues in some aspect of the study and must have biological endpoints. Behavioral endpoints only are not sufficient. Each project must include two Project Leaders from two of the three major disciplines (basic science, population science, clinical science). Both Project Leaders should be independent investigators with a track record of national peer-reviewed funding.

The UPCI Lung Cancer SPORE currently has an available biorepository of blood products, normal lung tissues and tumor tissues from human subjects with and without lung cancer. The SPORE biorepository also includes longitudinal blood specimens from high-risk subjects recruited in our Pittsburgh Lung Screening Study for detection of lung cancer by CT screening. The SPORE also has dedicated biostatisticians and bioinformaticians to provide input into research design and analysis of preliminary data. Interested investigators may avail themselves of these resources in planning potential projects.

The SPORE has a cap for total funding of $2.5 Million annually (about $1.65 M direct costs) to support the projects, research cores, a developmental research program, and a career development program. Budgets for the projects will be determined based on varying needs of the science proposed. In general, a SPORE major project averages about $200K direct costs per year. Although budgets are not requested at this time, investigators should plan their projects accordingly. Costs for use of the biorepository and statistical or bioinformatics support for the projects is covered by the Core budgets.

Submission of potential projects for consideration must include (1) Title page with names and contact information of proposed Project Leaders, and a 250 word maximum abstract; (2) Specific Aims (one page maximum), (3) Significance (1/2 page maximum), (4) Innovation (1/2 page maximum), (5) Approach (1 page maximum), and (6) Translational Potential (1/2 page maximum). Approach must include statistical justification of study design. Also include a 4-page NIH biosketch for each Project Leader.

These documents should be submitted electronically as 1 PDF file to M. Linda Gangewere, Lung SPORE Administrator at gangewerel@upmc.edu, telephone 412-623-7770. Deadline is December 7.

Applications will be reviewed by the SPORE Executive Committee and the SPORE Internal Advisors. Projects of most interest will also be reviewed by the SPORE External Advisors. There will be an on-going process of project selection. Investigators chosen for inclusion in the grant renewal will be expected to participate in the Lung Cancer SPORE Investigators' monthly meetings and to present the progress of their draft projects as the deadline approaches. Some projects may be selected for inclusion as potential pilot projects or career development projects.

Applicants wishing more specific information about the current SPORE projects and cores, including availability of lung tissues and blood specimens already collected by the Tissue & Blood Bank, or the areas of most interest for the renewal should contact Jill M. Siegfried, PhD, Principal Investigator, UPCI SPORE in Lung Cancer, siegfriedjm@upmc.edu; telephone: 412-623-7769.