Transdisciplinary Cancer Genomics Research: Post- Genome Wide Association Initiative

RFA-CA-09-002 for U19
Submission date: May 29

Expires May 30, 2009.

The purpose of this RFA is to promote thorough and efficient identification of genomic regions associated with cancer susceptibility. The RFA specifically solicits applications proposing transdisciplinary research projects designed to: (a) take advantage of the existing Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) of cancer by exploiting previously generated “initial scan” GWAS data, and (b) accelerate and coordinate integrative post-GWAS discovery research. To address these goals, each application should consist of two to three component subprojects closely pertinent to a single unifying research theme. At least one of these subprojects must address the replication or expansion of prior GWAS findings, and at least one subproject must center on epidemiologic aspects. In addition, biological and/or mechanistic studies complementing and connecting the required subprojects are strongly encouraged as a third subproject. The long-term goal is to provide a rigorous knowledge base that would enable clinical translation and public health dissemination of the GWAS findings. It is anticipated that these goals will require collaboration of multicenter teams comprising both epidemiologists and basic scientists. For more information: RFA-CA-09-002

Contact: Daniela Seminara, Ph.D., M.P.H., Scientific Consortia Coordinator and Program Officer, Office of the Associate Director, e-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov; and Elizabeth Gillanders, Ph.D., Chief, Host Susceptibility Factors Branch, e-mail: lgilland@mail.nih.gov

Mitochondria in Cancer Epidemiology, Detection, Diagnosis, and Prognosis

PA-08-143 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-08-144 for R21
Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire May 8, 2011.

These PAs are intended to stimulate the development and validation of novel mitochondrial (mt) DNA biomarkers for understanding the etiology, early detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and risk assessment of cancer; and responses to preventive and ameliorative treatment. These PAs are cosponsored with NCI's Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP), Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), and the Office of the Director (OD). For more information: PA-08-143 (R01); PA-08-144 (R21)

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Exfoliated Cells, Bioactive Food Components, and Cancer

PA-08-030 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-08-031 for R21
Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire January 8, 2011.

This initiative is designed to promote both innovative preclinical and clinical research to critically evaluate the feasibility/utility of using exfoliated cells to monitor variation in dietary intakes of bioactive food components that are thought to be involved with cancer prevention. The emphasis should be on a comparison of the activity of bioactive food components in exfoliated cells, normal cells, and, when available, tumor cells. For more information: PA-08-030 (R01); PA-08-031 (R21)

Contact: Britt Reid, D.D.S., Ph.D., Chief, Modifiable Risk Factors Branch, e-mail: reidbr@mail.nih.gov

Ethical, Legal, Social Implications of Human Genome Research

PA-08-012 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-08-013 for R03
Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire January 8, 2011.

These PAs invite research on the ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of the discovery and use of new information and technologies resulting from human genomic research. Areas of interest include: (1) translation of genomic information to improved human health; (2) conduct of genomic research; (3) intellectual property issues surrounding access to and use of genomic information; (4) nonmedical applications of genomic technologies and information; (5) impact of genomics on concepts of race, ethnicity, kinship, and individual and group identity; (6) implications of uncovering genetic contributions to not only disease, but also "normal" human traits and behaviors; and (7) ethical boundaries for the uses of genomics. The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is the lead sponsor of the PAs; several other NIH Institutes also are cosponsors. For more information: PA-08-012 (R01); PA-08-013 (R03)

Contact: Carol Kasten, M.D., Project Officer, Cancer Genetics Network, Clinical and Translational Epidemiology Branch, e-mail: kastenca@mail.nih.gov

Epigenetic Approaches in Cancer Epidemiology

PA-07-298 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-07-299 for R21
Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire January 8, 2010.

These PAs are to stimulate population-based epidemiology research on the roles of DNA methylation markers in cancer. The objectives are for researchers to evaluate determinants of methylation patterns, risks of cancer associated with DNA methylation, and markers and modifiers of cancer risk using epidemiologic approaches in existing human population studies. For more information: PA-07-298 (R01); PA-07-299 (R21)

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Research on Malignancies in the Context of HIV/AIDS

PA-07-455 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-07-454 for R21 Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire September 8, 2010.

The purpose of these PAs is to advance our understanding of the risks, development, progression, diagnosis, and treatment of malignancies observed in individuals with an underlying Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). These PAs seek to encourage research in areas such as the study of the etiologic factors, cofactors, pathogenesis, and consequences of HIV-associated malignancies in members of diverse populations. Research on non-AIDS defining malignancies in the context of HIV infection is also encouraged. These PAs extend to research efforts that will provide information on the clinical outcomes of such cancers in the HIV-infected population and identify specific contributions resulting from HIV infection for the development and pathogenesis of these cancers. These PAs are cosponsored with NCI's Division of Cancer Biology (DCB), Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD), and the Office of AIDS Malignancy Program, and with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). For more information: PA-07-455 (R01); PA-07-454 (R21)

Contacts: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov; and Vaurice Starks, Program Director, Modifiable Risk Factors Branch, e-mail: starksv@mail.nih.gov

Occupational Safety and Health Research

PA-07-318 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

Expires March 6, 2010.

This PA is to encourage research that develops an understanding of the risks and conditions associated with occupational diseases and injuries, explores methods for reducing risks and for preventing or minimizing exposure to hazardous conditions in the work place, and translates significant scientific findings into prevention practices and products that will reduce work-related illness and injury effectively. Of special interest to NCI is basic, applied, methodological, and statistical research that can advance cancer control activities, including surveillance, dissemination of public health information, and elucidation of susceptibility factors associated with cancer risk in individuals and population subgroups. NCI priority areas include applicable research approaches and methods (e.g., exposure and risk assessment, biomonitoring and surveillance techniques, analysis of cancer risk factors, and characterization of possible carcinogens in mixed exposures). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this PA, which is cosponsored with several NIH Institutes. For more information: PA-07-318

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Studies of Energy Balance and Cancer in Humans

PA-07-176 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-06-405 for R21
Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire May 8, 2009.

These PAs invite investigator-initiated research to define factors affecting energy balance and mechanisms influencing cancer risk, prognosis, and quality of life. These studies may range from new analyses of existing datasets to additional collection of data and biological specimens in ongoing investigations. To be eligible for these PAs, an applicant previously must have collected measures from human subjects on two or more of the following exposures: diet, physical activity, body composition, and/or related biomarkers (such as blood, urine, exfoliated cells, and/or tissue samples). The knowledge gained is anticipated to provide additional information to better understand the relationships among energy balance, cancer risk, and prognosis. These PAs are cosponsored with NCI's Office of Cancer Survivorship (OCS), Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), and Division of Cancer Prevention (DCP). For more information: PA-07-176 (R01); PA-06-405 (R21)

Contact: Leah Sansbury, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., Program Director, Modifiable Risk Factors Branch, e-mail: sansburl@mail.nih.gov

Development, Application, and Evaluation of Prediction Models for Cancer Risk and Prognosis

PA-07-021 for R01
Submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5

PA-07-022 for R21
Submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire January 8, 2010.

These PAs are to encourage researchers working in the field of cancer control and prevention to: (1) improve existing models for cancer risk and prognosis by developing innovative research projects that use existing data, (2) develop new models for cancer risk and prognosis, and (3) validate new models and evaluate their utility in research and clinical settings. The PAs provide a mechanism of support for investigators to address two major challenges in model development: integrating diverse types of data and ensuring adequate validation. The PAs are not for applications that focus on the identification and characterization of prognostic/diagnostic markers. They are cosponsored with NCI's Applied Research Program (ARP), Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), and the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD). For more information: PA-07-021 (R01); PA-07-022 (R21)

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Pilot Studies in Pancreatic Cancer

PA-08-209 for R03

PA-08-208 for R21

Submission dates for both PAs: February 16, June 16, October 16

Both PAs expire September 8, 2011.

These trans-NCI PAs are to promote innovative research across multiple disciplines for a better understanding of the biology, etiology, detection, prevention, and treatment of pancreatic cancer. Inquiries about cancer control, epidemiology, and survivorship research proposals are handled by EGRP. For more information: PA-08-209 (R03); PA-08-208 (R21)

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov

Small Grants Program for Cancer Epidemiology

PAR-08-237 for R03
Submission dates: March 19, July 17, November 19

Expires November 19, 2011.

This PAR invites applications relating to cancer epidemiology with a primary focus on etiologic cancer research. These are short-term awards intended to provide support for pilot projects, testing of new techniques, or development of innovative projects that could provide a basis for more extended research. Note that this PAR stipulates a 10 page limit to the research plan, including tables and figures. For more information: PAR-08-237

Contact: Mukesh Verma, Ph.D., Chief, Methods and Technologies Branch, e-mail: vermam@mail.nih.gov