News in Brief, February 2023

ComboMATCH Perspective Paper Published

A new overview paper, National Cancer Institute Combination Therapy Platform Trial with Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (ComboMATCH), is now available by open access (Meric-Bernstam F, Ford JM, et al. Clin Cancer Res. January 2023). This publication outlines the rationale, scientific principles, study design, and logistics supporting ComboMATCH. 

ComboMatch is a large precision medicine initiative with a coordinated set of trials evaluating novel drug combinations. The patient registration trial is being led by the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) and the National Cancer Institute; treatment trials are being led by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Children’s Oncology Group, ECOG-ACRIN, NRG Oncology, and SWOG Cancer Research Network.

Remarkable Mentor to Women in Oncology Award

ECOG-ACRIN is now accepting nominations for the inaugural Remarkable Mentor to Women in Oncology Award. The submission deadline is Thursday, March 9, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). The award recognizes an ECOG-ACRIN member who has shown sustained commitment to developing the careers of women in cancer medicine and has had an impact through advancing women investigators in the Group. It is one of ECOG-ACRIN’s highest distinctions. Members of the ECOG-ACRIN Executive Committee, Principal Investigator Committee, and Task Force on Advancement for Women are eligible to submit nominations. Learn more.

Now Accepting Young Investigator Award Nominations

ECOG-ACRIN is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Young Investigator Award through Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). This professional honor recognizes scientific achievements made by investigators under the age of 46. It is one of the Group’s highest distinctions. Members of the ECOG-ACRIN Executive Committee and Principal Investigator Committee are eligible to submit nominations. Learn more.

Fellows: Apply for the Paul Carbone, MD Fellowship Award

ECOG-ACRIN is accepting applications for the 2023 Paul Carbone, MD Fellowship Award through Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). Each year, the Group names one outstanding senior oncology or hematology research fellow at a member institution. This research grant aims to develop and promote excellence in clinical trials leading to improvements in cancer care. To be eligible for consideration, a physician should be able to conduct their research project during a fellowship. Learn more.

Save the Date for the Spring 2023 Group Meeting

Mark your calendar for the Spring 2023 Group Meeting, Wednesday, May 3 – Friday, May 5, to be held in person at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. Sessions will likely begin early in the morning on Wednesday and end mid-afternoon on Friday (subject to change). Additional details will be available when registration opens in early March. Look for an email to all ECOG-ACRIN members when registration is available. As usual, the meeting is open to researchers and staff affiliated with member institutions, ECOG-ACRIN patient advocates, industry representatives, and other invited individuals.

Meeting Attendance Awards for Underrepresented Minority Trainees

ECOG-ACRIN offers attendance awards to encourage underrepresented minority trainees from ECOG-ACRIN member institutions to attend the Group Meeting. Minority trainees may include students, residents, fellows, and early career investigators. Other trainees focusing on minority health or health disparities research are also welcome to apply regardless of race or ethnicity. Applications are now open and must be submitted to EAscholarship@ecog-acrin.org by Wednesday, March 8. Learn more.

Access Resources from the Fall 2022 Group Meeting

Select session recordings and materials from the Fall 2022 Group Meeting remain available for a limited time via the member section of the ECOG-ACRIN website. Anyone with member log-in credentials, regardless of meeting attendance, may access these resources. Simply log in to the Clinical and Administrative Resources section of the website and navigate to ‘Session Materials’ under the ‘Administrative’ column.

MDS Resource Request Portal

The National Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) Natural History Study (also known as NHLBI-MDS) has launched a web-based portal and invites researchers to request access to a rich clinical dataset, digital H&E slides, and genetic sequencing data collected prospectively from a large cohort of MDS patients enrolled across the US. Resources continue to be added to the database and biorepository as new patients join NHLBI-MDS and the existing cohort is followed longitudinally. The portal offers an exciting opportunity for scientists to pursue cutting-edge research that will contribute to the understanding of MDS and improve diagnostic and treatment options. Learn more.