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Research Groups

Each DCP Research Group is dedicated to supporting defined areas of cancer prevention science undertaken mostly by external investigators.

Foundations of Prevention:
Foundations of Prevention Research Groups focus on the development of chemoprevention science that informs clinical cancer prevention research. These groups are as follows.

Basic Prevention Science
In collaboration with trans-NCI programs dedicated to systems biology research, this group is developing systems approaches to cancer prevention in areas such as drug development and carcinogenesis modeling.

Biometry
This group provides key consultations across NCI, developing and using statistical analysis of biological data, computer and mathematical models, and conducting research in biostatistical and epidemiological methodologies and mathematical modeling of processes.

Cancer Biomarkers
This group promotes research to identify, develop, and validate biological markers for earlier cancer detection and cancer risk assessment. Activities focus on development and validation of promising early cancer biomarkers, collaborative databases and informatics systems, and new technologies or the refinement of existing technologies.

Chemopreventive Agent Development
By providing scientific and administrative oversight for preclinical chemoprevention agent development up to early Phase I clinical research using physiological endpoints in healthy volunteers, this group supports identification and development of prevention agents with the potential to block, reverse, or delay the early stages of cancer.

Community Oncology and Prevention Trials
This group develops programs to improve clinical oncology in community settings, and coordinates community oncology program activities with other NCI programs. Research areas include psychosocial and physical rehabilitation, management of cancer pain, supportive care for patients and families, impact of cancer control programs on the community, preliminary Phase II cancer control studies, and large scale Phase III prevention agent studies.

Early Detection
By supporting research carried out through pre-clinical and clinic-based studies employing reliable research designs, including randomized controlled trials, this group determines the effectiveness (operating characteristics and mortality impact) and risks of cancer detection technologies and practices, such as imaging and molecular approaches.

Nutritional Science
This group focuses on establishing a comprehensive understanding of the role of food components in cancer risk and tumor behavior, including how specific genes and/or molecular targets are influenced by essential and non-essential nutrients.

Organ Systems:
Organ Systems Research Groups concentrate on the prevention and early detection of cancers originating in specific body systems and organs. Clinical trials and the evaluation of new agents, surrogate biomarkers, and technologies are developed and supported by the following groups.

Breast and Gynecologic Cancer
This group conducts and supports research on breast, cervix, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.

Gastrointestinal and Other Cancers
This group conducts and supports research on colorectal, esophageal, liver, pancreatic, skin, and hematolymphoid cancers.

Lung and Upper Aerodigestive Cancer
This group conducts and supports research on head and neck and lung cancers.

Prostate and Urologic Cancer
This group conducts and supports research on prostate and bladder cancers.

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