Research
Basic and Translational Science | BioSpecimen Network | Clinical Trials Program | Epidemiology
USMCI is uniquely positioned to conduct leading-edge research. The Institute has resources both within and beyond the military medical system, resulting in a broad range of investigative capabilities.
USMCI has undertaken several initiatives to advance cancer research and treatment. Many of these initiatives will benefit not only military medicine, but also the entire field of cancer research.
Basic and Translational Science
The Basic and Translational Science Section of the USMCI is comprised of more than 20 investigators whose research is focused on four areas: Prostate Cancer, Signal Transduction and Tumor Suppressor Genes, Oxidative Stress and Drug Resistance, and Viral and Bacterial Carcinogenesis. The investigators are faculty members in the basic and clinical science departments at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or staff members at the Center for Prostate Disease Research (CPDR) or the Armed Forces Radiobiological Research Institute (AFRRI). Research in the Basic and Translational Science Program of the USMCI is supported by more than 2.5 million dollars in annual peer-reviewed funding (direct costs) to the investigators. This includes funding from the National Cancer Institute Extramural Program, the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program and private foundations. More than 65 scientific articles were published by the members of the section in 2007 and representative references can be found via the USMCI Publications link.
The USMCI promotes the development of collaborative approaches to cancer research and the transition of bench research to the translational level among its member laboratories whenever possible. To accomplish these objectives the Basic and Translational Science Section sponsors seminars and meetings as well as administering a small grants program that funds collaborative translational research pilot projects.
Molecular studies are at the forefront of cancer investigations. USMCI’s BioSpecimen Network (BSN) was created to collect malignant and pre-malignant biosamples and related clinical and outcome data for genomic, proteomic and metabolic research. The dual goal of BSN is the understanding of the disease process and the discovery of clinically applicable biomarkers for surveillance, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Biosamples collected by BSN include tissues, blood, urine and body fluids. Corresponding data collection includes: demographics, medical health history, lifestyle and environmental exposures data with emphasis on military exposures. Active duty and retired services members and their family members who are undergoing diagnostic surgical procedure are eligible donors.
BSN program allows military researchers access to biosamples harvested in a state of the art environment using centralized and standardized procedures which allow the anonymous linkage of molecular changes in biosamples with relevant DoD databases. The BioSpecimen Network is a unique resource offering invaluable information on the relative roles of genes and environment in carcinogenesis. It also offers an opportunity to study the key issues of personalized medicine which are tumor classification, predication of tumor behavior and efficacy of treatment.
Biobanking is a new frontier research discipline which offers new hope for patients and their families in the fight against cancer.
1) Use the resources of an integrated military health system to conduct multi-institutional clinical trials.
2) Concentrate on developing, promoting, and conducting USMCI PI-sponsored clinical trials to develop a clinical trials program (CTP) and to advance internal research programs.
3) Leverage a well-developed CTP to generate revenues for sustainment from the conduct of grant-funded and/or industry-sponsored clinical trials.
4) Establish the recognition of the USMCI CTP by the other oncology cooperative groups and partner with them in the conduct of collaborative clinical trials.
B. CURRENT PROGRESS
1) We are currently running clinical trials in two primary areas: Breast Cancer Vaccine Trials and Colon Cancer Staging Trials.
2) We are conducting five phase I trials and two phase II cancer vaccine trials. The five phase I trials include: E75 (HER2) in Ovarian Ca, E39 (FBP) in Breast Ca, E39 (FBP) in Ovarian Ca, GP2 (HER2) + Herceptin in Breast Ca, and GP2 (HER2) + AE37 (HER2) in Breast Ca. The two phase II trials include: GP2 (HER2) in Breast Ca and AE37 (HER2) in Breast Ca.
3) The latter phase II trials include recruitment at eight military hospitals (WRAMC, NNMC, BAMC, WHMC, CRDAMC, MAMC, LRMC, and TAMC) and four civilian sites (Wake Forrest, Mary Crowley, MDACC, and Sibley). In addition, these trials are being conducted in parallel in Athens, Greece.
4) Through an international consortium led by Dr Alex Stojadinovic, we are conducting three multi-center colon cancer trials: Ultrastaging in early colon cancer, Sentinel lymph node staging in colon cancer and its biologic significance, and Quality monitoring in colon cancer care.
C. PAST PRODUCTIVITY
1) We have completed five vaccine trials to date. They include: E75 (HER2) in prostate cancer, E75 (HER2) in NP Breast Ca, E75 (HER2) in NN Breast Ca, AE37 (HER2) in Breast Ca, and GP2 (HER2) in Breast Ca. The latter four trials were designated USMCI Clinical Trial Group Study I-01, I-02, I-03, and I-04, respectively.
2) We have completed a randomized trial assessing the technique for sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer designated as USMCI CTG Study Br-01 and published in Lancet Oncology.
3) We have completed a randomized assessment of SLN biopsy in colon cancer designated as USMCI CTG Study GI-01. Several publications have resulted from this study and its analysis.
4) There have been 15 papers published (and 6 papers in press) revolving around these six completed trials (see list of pubs, attached). The average impact factor associated with these 15 publications is 5.7.
Epidemiology
The Epidemiology Program of United States Military Cancer Institute (USMCI) is one of the important components of the Institute. The primary activity of the Epidemiology Program is to conduct research with the Institute's goal to reduce the ravages of cancer in the military. Collaborating with military researchers, scientists from the National Cancer Institute, and others, the Epidemiology Program does various studies, especially those based on the military health data.
In addition to research, the Epidemiology Program provides statistical and epidemiological support to military cancer researchers within and outside the Institute. Additionally, the Epidemiology Program has access to several Military Health Databases. If you'd like to develop a research project based on these data, you need a research protocol that will be reviewed by the USMCI-NCI Epidemiology Steering Committee. Information about the databases can be obtained by contacting USMCI.
For Military Health Data Requests, please refer to the following documents:
For all statistical and epidemiological support, including requests for military health data, please review our policies and fill out the electronic form using Application for Statistical/Epidemiological Support.
