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The Breast Cancer Intergroup of North America (TBCI) |
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Below please find
instructions to investigators seeking to request Breast Cancer Intergroup
specimens for use in correlative scientific studies.
Announcement: IBCSG call for Proposals by February 1, 2008 (Proposals for requests of banked FFPE samples from BIG 1-98 or other studies to be received at the IBCSG Pathology Office by February 1, 2008.)
For application, agreements, available material and other information, please see the IBSCG Pathology Corner webpage
TBCI
Home (Home page of TBCI, a network of six NCI-supported Cooperative Groups: ACOSOG, CALGB, ECOG, NCIC CTG, NCCTG, and SWOG) IntroductionBack to topThe Breast Cancer Intergroup of North America (TBCI) Correlative Sciences Committee is charged with fostering and reviewing proposals from laboratory and clinical investigators wishing to use Intergroup specimens in correlative studies addressing questions of prognosis and prediction in patients with breast cancer. Chaired by Dr. Daniel F. Hayes of the University of Michigan, this Committee consists of representatives from each TBCI-member Cooperative Group (ACOSOG, CALGB, ECOG, NCCTG, NCIC CTG, and SWOG), as well as from Groups from outside TBCI (including NSABP and RTOG), and representatives from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). TBCI has performed a number of prospective clinical trials addressing fundamentally important questions regarding the therapy of breast cancer. The principal questions addressed in these trials have been focused on issues related to adjuvant systemic therapy, although trials of patients with metastatic disease and trials regarding surgery and radiation have also been conducted. For many of TBCI's trials, prospective collection of tissue from participating patients was built in, although not mandated. These tissues are all formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE), and they are either in the form of a tissue block or cut, unstained sections on glass slides. In some cases, tissue microarrays (TMAs) have been constructed using these tissues. Since most TBCI trials are definitive randomized, controlled phase 3 trials, the specimen collections developed from these trials strongly lend themselves to correlative studies seeking to test and validate hypotheses. Given the highly annotated nature of these specimens, including the carefully collected patient outcome and other clinical data with which they are associated, the Committee will give priority to validation studies of pre-existing hypotheses supported by data from previously performed pre-clinical and/or preliminary clinical studies. Preliminary data, including assay validation, are required. Exploratory studies without preliminary data will be denied. It is recognized that exploratory studies are necessary to generate the preliminary data required above. Investigators planning exploratory studies are encouraged to apply to other NCI-supported specimen resources that are more appropriate to these types of studies, such as the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) and the Cooperative Breast Cancer Tissue Resource (CBCTR). Proposals will be rigorously reviewed by the Committee for scientific merit. Every proposed marker must be well supported by background data for both the data supporting the proposed hypothesis as well as evidence that the assay works in the types of specimens TBCI has banked (principally, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues). The proposal should also be precise about assay methods and the number of slides needed to complete each study. Finally, methods for statistical analysis should be described for each marker, including an estimate of the percentage of patients who will be "positive" or "negative" and the estimated magnitude the investigator expects to see in outcomes between the two, accompanied by power estimates of the odds of observing this estimate. Each marker will be reviewed on its own merit. If multiple marker studies are proposed in a single proposal, the investigator should clearly provide the above information for each marker, since inconclusive assessment by the Committee for one marker could lead to the entire proposal being disapproved. In an effort to expedite investigator access to Intergroup specimens, the Cooperative Group Chairs and NCI have agreed that all specimens collected from an Intergroup clinical trial should be stored at the bank of the Cooperative Group leading the clinical trial. Every effort will be made to retrieve existing samples from collection sites/participating Groups for long-term, central storage at the Lead Group's bank, to facilitate the acquisition of Intergroup specimens by investigators with worthy study proposals. Please see the listing of specimens available from closed TBCI trials as well as the listing of active TBCI trials (specimen collection is still underway on most of these active trials). Instructions to Investigators/FAQsBack to topWhich specimens are available from TBCI? How may I apply to use these specimens? Who are the main contact people for the TBCI Correlative Sciences Committee? How often will proposals be reviewed? Which correlative science proposals should be submitted to an Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee, and which to CTEP? Is the investigator required to discuss his/her correlative science proposal with the Group that led the clinical trial from which specimens are requested? When can proposals for funding be submitted? How will approved studies be funded? Should investigators planning to submit a proposal for internal review do so before submitting it to the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee? Is Committee approval required for tissue-microarray (TMA) construction or for standard ER/PgR/HER2 assessment using TBCI TMA's? Can a single correlative science proposal request specimens from more than one Intergroup trial, perhaps led by different Groups? Can any investigator propose? May I present my proposal to the Committee? What kind of preliminary data are required? How should statistical design be approached? Once the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee approves a proposal, what next? Which specimens are available from TBCI?Back to FAQ'sPlease see the listing of specimens available from closed TBCI trials as well as a listing of active TBCI trials (from which specimens are still being collected). How may I apply to use these specimens?Back to FAQ'sInvestigators must submit their proposals using the TBCI Correlative Science Proposal Submission Form. Proposals should be emailed to the Protocol & Information Office (PIO) of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) at email pio@ctep.nci.nih.gov. The Committee accepts only electronic submissions. Who are the main contact people for the TBCI Correlative Sciences Committee?Back to FAQ'sInquiries regarding funding and new ideas for studies, including appropriate specimen collections, should be directed to: Daniel Hayes, M.D. Proposals should be submitted to: Protocol & Information Office Inquiries regarding funding may be directed to either of the following: How often will proposals be reviewed?Back to FAQ'sApplications are accepted on a rolling basis. Investigators should expect notification of the Committee's decision on a proposal within six (6) weeks of submitting the proposal to the Committee. Depending on circumstances, investigators who require an expedited review outside review deadlines can request such an expedited review. Which correlative science proposals should be submitted to an Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee, and which to CTEP?Back to FAQ'sIntergroup Correlative Sciences Committee review: Stand-alone correlative studies (i.e., studies not embedded in a clinical trials protocol) proposed after submission of the Intergroup clinical trials protocol to CTEP are subject to review by the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee. (This holds true for studies proposing to use a subset of < 100 samples from the Intergroup trial, since depletion of a subset of samples from the larger dataset could severely limit the utility of the entire dataset.) Investigators do not have to be Group-affiliated to propose a stand-alone correlative study to the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee. Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee and CTEP review: If, however, a new correlative study is proposed for embedding within the protocol following submission of the clinical trial protocol to CTEP, this would necessitate a protocol amendment that should be reviewed first by the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee, to ensure Intergroup support, and then by CTEP. During its review, CTEP will take into consideration the Intergroup�s review. CTEP review: If a correlative science study is embedded within the clinical trial protocol at the time of initial submission to CTEP, CTEP will review the study. Intergroup support should have been obtained during the protocol's development. The embedded correlative study will not undergo review by the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee. CTEP review: Amendments to correlative studies that were embedded within the protocol at the time of initial submission to CTEP should be submitted to CTEP. They are not subject to review by the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee. Note: Usually, a trial is considered an Intergroup trial if it involves at least two Groups (i.e., a Lead Group and an endorsing Group). The best way to determine which trials are Intergroup trials in your disease area of interest is to visit the Web site of the appropriate disease-specific Intergroup. Is the investigator required to discuss his/her correlative science proposal with the Group that led the clinical trial from which specimens are requested?Back to FAQ'sInvestigators with a new correlative science proposal are strongly encouraged to discuss their proposal with the Cooperative Group that led the trial from which they are requesting specimens, in order to better understand the clinical trial and to develop statistical analysis plans. In this regard, the Committee Chair or lead CIB representative can guide investigators to the appropriate individuals within this Lead Clinical Group. Review and endorsement of the proposal by the Lead Clinical Group is recommended. However, investigators can submit a correlative science proposal to the Committee independently. When can proposals for funding be submitted? How will approved studies be funded?Back to FAQ'sFunds may be available from the Committee to defray costs of approved studies. For additional information on these funds, please contact Dr. Daniel Hayes at hayesdf@umich.edu or phone: 734-615-6725. Application to potential funding sources other than the Committee (for example, grant applications) should be submitted only after approval from the Committee has been obtained. Although the Committee encourages grant proposals requesting funding to perform studies using Intergroup material, investigators are discouraged from submitting for potential funding until and if the proposal is approved by the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee. The Committee will not provide "provisional" letters of collaboration. Rather, it will provide letters of collaboration when (and if) Committee approval is granted. In consideration of grant deadlines, Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committees will try to be as responsive and rapid as possible in reviewing proposals. Every effort will be made to notify investigators of the Committee's decision on their proposal within six (6) weeks of their submitting the protocol to the Committee. Depending on circumstances, investigators who require an expedited review outside review deadlines can request such an expedited review. Once a proposal is approved by an Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee, investigators are encouraged to submit approved proposals to funding entities of their choice to obtain peer-reviewed funding for the study. Investigators are requested to discuss funding submissions with either the Committee Chair or lead CIB representative before submitting to a potential funding source. This will help to ensure that appropriate subcontracts (such as for biostatistics) are developed to help defray study costs. For high-priority, approved studies, if an investigator cannot obtain peer-reviewed funding, every effort will be made to help cover the costs of specimen preparation and shipping. Should investigators planning to submit a proposal for internal review do so before submitting it to the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee?Back to FAQ'sYes. Investigators planning to submit their correlative science proposal for internal review by their own Cooperative Group/institution are asked to please do so before submitting to the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee. In this way, all recommendations from the internal review can be incorporated into the proposal by the time the Committee receives it. Investigators are also encouraged to seek the review and endorsement of the Cooperative Group that led the clinical trial at this time, although this is not necessary for submission of the proposal to the Committee. In other words, the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee should see the "best and final" version of the proposal. Is Committee approval required for tissue-microarray (TMA) construction or for standard ER/PgR/HER2 assessment using TBCI TMA's?Back to FAQ'sScientific approval by the Committee is not required for the lead Group to construct a tissue-microarray (TMA) from TBCI blocks or to perform standard ER, PgR, or HER2 assessment using those TMA's. Committee approval is required, however, for any other type of correlative analyses that would use TBCI TMA's. Recommended assays for standard ER, PgR, HER2 assessment include the following: ER: PgR: HER2: Can a single correlative science proposal request specimens from more than one Intergroup trial, perhaps led by different Groups?Back to FAQ'sIf investigators are requesting to use specimens from multiple trials but believe that a single proposal submission would be appropriate for their correlative science proposal, they may submit a single proposal. However, they should provide clear scientific rationale justifying why they are requesting samples from different trials - for example, they might request samples from two studies, by different Groups, that addressed the same therapeutic questions. Can any investigator propose?Back to FAQ'sInvestigators do not have to have Cooperative Group affiliation in order to propose a study. Correlative science proposals are welcomed both from investigators who are affiliated with a Cooperative Group and from those who are not. Foreign investigators are also welcome to propose. Investigators representing industry should establish an industry-university collaboration with one of the Cooperative Groups, in which a Group-affiliated co-P.I. would also be appointed, in addition to the industry P.I. Only those investigators who have had/will have substantive input into the design, development, and/or conduct of the proposed correlative science should be listed as co-investigators on the correlative science proposal. Correlative science proposals do not have to have the same kind of Intergroup representation as required for Intergroup clinical trials. May I present my proposal to the Committee?Back to FAQ'sYes. Before each review, there will be an optional open session during which investigators are invited to present their proposal and take questions from the Committee, if they so choose. What kind of preliminary data are required?Back to FAQ'sProposals are encouraged for the study of markers for which preliminary data exist to support the hypothesis that there might be an interaction between the marker's results and treatment outcomes. At the least, the investigator should provide preliminary data showing that the reagents perform well in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue (for those studies involving solid tissue) and that the assay is reproducible. Furthermore, (for those studies involving solid tissue) preliminary studies used to support the hypothesis should have been performed in FFPE tissues from patients for whom outcomes are known. These studies should be used to generate preliminary hypotheses regarding whether the marker in question is prognostic, or might have predictive interactions with the therapeutic questions addressed in one or more of the Intergroup's clinical trials. For example, an application requesting use of specimens from an Intergroup trial addressing taxane therapy would be favorably viewed if its hypothesis is supported by preliminary data suggesting that the proposed marker may predict resistance to taxane therapy. Given the highly annotated nature of Intergroup clinical trial specimens, including the carefully collected patient outcome and other clinical data with which they are associated, the Committee will give priority to validation studies of pre-existing hypotheses supported by data from previously performed pre-clinical and/or preliminary clinical studies. Exploratory studies lacking preliminary data will be denied. How should statistical design be approached?Back to FAQ'sAlthough statistical analysis of the proposed studies will require input from the respective statistician of the Cooperative Group that led the trial from which specimens are requested, the exact nature and extent of collaboration between the researcher and the statistical office of the lead Group is left to the individuals to define, and can certainly vary depending on the study. Obviously, statistical power will be limited by the number of samples available and the number of events that have occurred in the clinical trial, and will also be affected by the established cutoff values defining the relative distribution of "positives" and "negatives" and the expected differences in outcomes predicted by the marker results. These assumptions and estimates will need to be made from the preliminary studies that are expected to be cited in the proposal submission. Once the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee approves a proposal, what next?Back to FAQ'sOnce a proposal is reviewed by the Committee, the investigator will be sent the consensus decision of the Committee in a 'consensus review' document. The consensus review will indicate the revisions requested by the Committee, or if the proposal has been disapproved. If comments requiring a response are contained in the consensus review, the investigator will have to submit a revised proposal that may or may not have to undergo full Committee re-review. The review chair will determine if a revised submission must undergo full Committee re-review or if only an abbreviated re-review is required. Once the investigator receives word that his/her proposal has been approved by the Committee, notification that the correlative study has received scientific approval from the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee will be sent to the appropriate individuals within the Groups that participated in the clinical trial. These individuals will include the relevant banking personnel as well as Group and disease committee leadership. Approval by an Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee pertains only to scientific review. Therefore, following approval of a correlative study by the Intergroup Correlative Sciences Committee, the proposing investigator is still responsible for going through the usual steps of reaching an agreement with the Cooperative Group that led the clinical trial from which specimens are requested, securing IRB approval for the proposed work (i.e., approval from the investigator's local IRB, as well as the local IRB of any co-investigator who will be receiving and running assays on the specimens), obtaining funding, and so forth. Principal Investigators of studies approved by the TBCI Correlative Sciences Committee will be required to submit administrative data from the study to the NCI via the Abbreviated Clinical Data Update System reporting mechanism; submit brief, periodic progress reports; and, once the primary analysis of the study is published, send specific data sets (i.e., at the patient level) from the correlative study to the Cooperative Group that led the clinical trial. Any publication of the study should be sent to the TBCI Correlative Sciences Committee, for their information, with appropriate acknowledgments (e.g., the Group that led the trial). The requested specimens will be reserved for the investigator's use for one (1) year following study approval. If funding has not been secured for the study by that time, the investigator will be required to re-submit his/her application to re-request the specimens. Summary of specimens available from TBCI closed trialsBack to top(For a listing of active TBCI trials in which specimen collection is still underway, please see the TBCI active trials listing on the TBCI Home page.) The numbers of specimens listed below are as of September 2004. If you need the most up-to-date numbers of specimens available from a TBCI trial, please contact the specimen bank of the Group that led that trial. Specimens in addition to those listed below: Cells and DNA are stored at ECOG from E2190. Plasma is stored at CALGB from C9741, CALGB-9344, E5188, E-EB193, SWOG-8814, SWOG-9313.
Contacts for TBCI specimen banksBack to topTBCI Group banks: ACOSOG breast cancer specimen bank Mark Watson, M.D., Ph.D. CALGB breast cancer specimen bank Scott Jewell, Ph.D. ECOG breast cancer specimen bank Michael Pins, M.D. NCCTG breast cancer specimen bank Wilma Lingle, Ph.D. NCIC CTG breast cancer specimen bank Lois Shepherd, M.D. SWOG breast cancer specimen bank Wilbur Franklin, M.D. Jerry Haney (technical contact in Colorado) SWOG Web site: www.swog.org Proposals approved by the CommitteeBack to top
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