Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN) RFA (August 12, 2009)

CTEP will be issuing an RFA by early Fall for a new Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN). The purpose of the RFA is to create a single consortium of leading investigators in the field of immunotherapy to jointly develop and conduct Phase I and early Phase 2 multi-institutional clinical trials, which could not be conducted efficiently by a single institution approach. The network will also integrate several tumor immunology laboratories to utilize specimens obtained from patients on the trials for immunomonitoring, developing and credentialing biomarkers to serve as predictors of response, as well as providing scientific studies to inform future trials. The RFA will solicit applications for a Central Operations and Biostatistical Office to administer the network, with Member clinical site selection to take place by a separate process post award. Information now available regarding the components of the CITN which amends the original published concept and address a number of queries from the community can be found as FAQs associated with this highlight.