Abstract A1: NCI CRCHD Geographic Management Program (GMaP): Catalyzing inter-institutional collaboration for enhanced cancer health disparity (CHD) research and outreach
Authors: Patierno Steven R. , Shields Peter , Hijaz Sarah , Reisinger Sarah 
Published: December 2010

In 2009 the NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities launched its Geographic Management Program (GMaP) initiative, which groups cancer health disparity (CHD) research/outreach efforts according to geographic region. Region 1 (DC, MD, VA) includes: Bowie State University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Hampton University, Howard University, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, University of the District of Columbia, University of Maryland-Baltimore, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, University of Virginia, Washington Hospital Center, Virginia Commonwealth University.

The George Washington University Cancer Institute (GWCI) was selected as the Region 1 coordinating hub. Region 1 also includes additional funding for BMaP which is focused on Biospecimen Banking for CHD research. The Georgetown Lombardi Cancer Center is the BMaP coordinating hub.

The GMaP goal is to create a regional network wherein resources can be pooled to facilitate progress through inter-institutional collaborations with large-scale funding. There are six regions across the country.

A vital aspect of the Region 1 infrastructure are its Core/Elective Groups, which each have the goal of assessing research/outreach potential in the following fields: Administration and Communication, Training, Bioinformatics, Biospecimen Banking (BMaP), Clinical Trials, Community Translation, Emerging Technology, Evaluation, Social and Behavioral Oncology.

To begin cataloging institutional resources, two survey tools were circulated to Region 1 institutions. The first is the NCI's Readiness Assessment Tool (RAT), which collects institutional data on: communication abilities, bioinformatics, biospecimen banking, clinical trials, emerging technology, training programs. Region 1 institutional data has been organized and submitted to the NCI.

The second survey tool, the Resource Assessment Database (RAD), is Region 1-specific. While the RAD aims to obtain a more thorough understanding of institutional resources, including community translation and social and behavioral oncology programs, it crucially is also meant to identify cooperation potential. The RAD is considered a “living document” that is to be modified as GMaP progresses in order to best capture developing research/outreach data interests. The first RAD draft was circulated to all participants, and the resulting data is being organized. All RAT/RAD data will be used to assess and plan collaborative efforts within the Region.

The BMaP Group also surveyed three Region 1 institutions on metabolomics specimens by type and race. Further information on tissue type, disease state, was culled for specimens located at Georgetown University. BMaP also plans to host a meeting to discuss the feasibility and interest of a virtual repository for CHD biospecimens. Specific discussions will focus on shared access, universal consents, logistics, as well as institutional and other barriers.

Leaders from Region 1 participants have met to initiate more detailed discussions of potential inter-institutional collaborative research/outreach projects. The RAT/RAD data submitted thus far indicates a wide variety of resources that can be brought together to meet its goal of addressing CHDs as a whole.

Funded by grant NIH 5U01-CA-116937.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):A1.