Drs. Carlos, Brawley to Address National Cancer Policy Forum

Ruth C. Carlos, MD (University of Michigan), chair of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Care Delivery Committee and co-chair of the Cancer Control and Survivorship Committee, and Otis W. Brawley, MD (Johns Hopkins University), chair of the ECOG-ACRIN Social Determinants of Health Working Group, are special guest speakers at Biological Effectors of Social Determinants of Health in Cancer: Identification and Mitigation: A Workshop, March 20-21, 2024, in Washington, DC.

This event is hosted by the National Cancer Policy Forum, part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The intent is to examine the complex interactions among biological variables and social determinants of health and how these factors interact to affect cancer-related health outcomes. Register here.

New Episode of Keeping Up With the Radiologists

In Episode Two: Tuition-Free Medical School, co-hosts Saurabh (Harry) Jha, MD, and Mitchell Schnall, MD, PhD, are joined by Hanna Zafar, MD (all University of Pennsylvania, Department of Radiology), to interview neuroradiologist Robert Grossman, MD, chief executive officer of New York University (NYU) Langone Health, and dean of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Grossman led the establishment of tuition-free medical school opportunities in the New York City region. The hosts and Dr. Grossman discuss a wide range of topics in a tell-all fashion.

Keeping Up With the Radiologists is a new podcast series by AuntMinnie.com and Penn Radiology about the practice of radiology. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

NCI Webinar to Feature ECOG-ACRIN AYA Researchers

John M. Salsman, PhD (Wake Forest University), chair of the ECOG-ACRIN Adolescent and Young Adult Subcommittee (part of the Health Equity Committee), and Lauren Ghazal, PhD, FNP-BC (University of Rochester), member of the ECOG-ACRIN Oncology Nursing Committee and Cancer Research Advocates Committee, pictured at left, are the guest speakers for a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Cancer Survivorship Director’s Series Webinar on Thursday, April 9, 2024, from 2:00-3:00 PM (Eastern).

Forward-Thinking: Progress, Gaps, and Impact in Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivorship is intended for researchers, advocates, clinicians, and policy makers interested in cancer survivorship. Register here.

Register Now for the Spring 2024 Group Meeting

Registration is open for the ECOG-ACRIN Spring 2024 Group Meeting, which will take place in person May 1-3 in Baltimore, MD. View the schedule on the Group Meeting website and register for three days of engaging sessions highlighting the latest in basic, clinical, and translational research. As a reminder, the Group Meetings are in person only. Members unable to attend in person may register for on-demand access to select session recordings (to be posted after the meeting concludes).

Training Workshop for Clinical Research Professionals

At the upcoming Group Meeting in Baltimore, ECOG-ACRIN is holding a workshop for clinical research personnel on Friday, May 3, from 8:00 AM-12:00 PM. The workshop is geared toward clinical research associates, coordinators, and research nurses new to the clinical trial process. Experienced personnel who would like to refresh their knowledge are also welcome. Planned topics include:

• An overview of available online resources
• Registration and roster maintenance
• Regulatory basics, including CIRB and site start-up
• Investigational agent management
• Patient case management, including OPEN, RECIST, CTEP-AERS, Rave, and TRIAD
• Site auditing and monitoring

If you are interested in attending, be sure to select this session during the Group Meeting registration process. For those who cannot attend in person, plans are in development for an online training resource. Additional information is forthcoming.

Group Meeting Travel Funding Opportunities

Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD Health Equity Travel Scholarships
Named after the late Edith P. Mitchell, MD, MACP, FCCP, FRCP (London), these travel scholarships provide support to attend this meeting. The opportunity is open to trainees, including students, residents, fellows, and early career investigators, who self-identify with populations historically excluded from medicine and science. Early career researchers who have a primary focus on health equity may also apply. Learn more and apply by Monday, March 11, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time).

Radiation Oncologist Travel Awards
ECOG-ACRIN offers travel grants to encourage radiation oncologists to attend this meeting in person and actively participate in the development of radiation oncology-driven clinical trials and secondary analyses from completed studies. Learn more and apply by Friday, March 15, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time).

Clinical Research Associate Travel Awards
The Clinical Research Associates Committee is accepting applications for four travel awards for this meeting. Data managers, clinical research associates, or clinical research coordinators/nurses with no other form of travel support are eligible. Learn more and apply by Monday, March 18, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time).

TMIST Update

The study chair for this trial is Etta D. Pisano, MD (American College of Radiology).

Enrollment in the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST) stands at 97,963 women as of March 7, 2024 (towards the goal of 128,905 participants). Enrollment is steady even though screening has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.

“Through the dedication of participating trial sites, TMIST enrollment is now above 75%. This is a testament to the fact that the study question remains unanswered and that sites are communicating effectively with women in their communities,” said Dr. Pisano. “I ask that practices redouble their efforts to reach our goal as quickly as possible.”

Learn more about TMIST and read the latest newsletter for sites on ecog-acrin.org.