National Cancer Institute Designation

“164.476(5)(c) Leverage the resources earmarked for the Lung Cancer Research Project toward the certification of the cancer program at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville by the National Cancer Institute as a cancer center[.]”

The University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville are pursuing NCI designation as cancer centers.  KLCR Program resources provide the equivalent of core support that a Cancer Center Support Grant would provide NCI-designated cancer centers.

The Markey Cancer Center has previously had both an NCI designation and a planning grant.  The Brown Cancer Center received a planning grant.

The elements of NCI designation provided below, are explained in the NCI grant application for the Cancer Center Support Grant, available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

 

NCI Designation Essential Characteristics

1. 1. Facilities
2. 2. Organizational Capabilities
3. 3. Transdisciplinary Collaboration and Coordination
4. 4. Cancer Focus
5. 5. Institutional commitment
6. 6. Center Director

 

A comprehensive cancer center demonstrates reasonable depth and breadth of research activities in each of three major areas: laboratory, clinical, and population-based research, with substantial transdisciplinary research that bridges these scientific areas. A comprehensive cancer center is expected to initiate and conduct investigator-initiated, early phase, innovative clinical trials and to provide leadership for, and participate in the NCI cooperative groups. An NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center must also demonstrate community service, outreach, and dissemination; and education and training of biomedical researchers and health care professionals.

 

Contact:

University of Kentucky
B. Mark Evers, M.D.
Director of Markey Cancer Center

University of Louisville
Donald M. Miller, M.D., Ph.D.
Director of Brown Cancer Center