CU Anschutz Cancer Center Undergoes NCI Renewal Process

At the CU Anschutz Cancer Center, the Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP‑CTNet) conducts early‑phase clinical trials to evaluate the safety and cancer‑preventive potential of promising agents and interventions. These studies focus on people at elevated cancer risk due to inherited conditions, medical or lifestyle factors, or environmental exposures, with the goal of developing safe strategies to reduce cancer risk before cancer develops.

CP‑CTNet trials target key biological pathways involved in cancer development—such as cell growth, apoptosis, growth‑factor and oncogene signaling, and immune response. Findings advance prevention science and support the discovery of new biomarkers of response.

CP‑CTNet trials take place at sites across the United States and include phase 0 (micro‑dosing), phase I (dose‑finding), and phase II (early efficacy) studies. The network’s overarching mission is to identify safe, effective preventive interventions that can progress to larger clinical trials—and ultimately reduce the burden of cancer in at‑risk populations.

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) is an international network of researchers, hospitals, and cancer centers, supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Its primary mission is to conduct clinical trials to improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and long‑term care of children and adolescents with cancer. Studies also focus on supportive care and survivorship.

COG includes institutions across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and is part of the NCI’s National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN).

The Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) conducts early‑phase clinical trials of innovative cancer therapies using a coordinated, team‑based model. NCI’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) has led early‑phase drug development since the 1970s, partnering with industry, academic centers, and investigators to advance new anticancer agents. Launched in 2014, the ETCTN was created to accelerate the evaluation of promising therapies by integrating clinical research with biomarker and pharmacodynamic science.

The network focuses on optimizing early‑phase trial design, including dose selection, molecular characterization, and the incorporation of preclinical insights. ETCTN studies primarily enroll adults; some may include adolescents, while pediatric early‑phase trials are conducted through separate NCI networks.

The Colorado Head and Neck Cancer SPORE advances translational research to improve survival and quality of life for patients with head and neck cancers. Leveraging strengths in basic and clinical science, the program uses advanced model systems to identify targetable molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive these cancers.

To support this mission, the SPORE includes biospecimen and pathology, data science, and administrative cores. It also fosters innovation through two funding programs:

• The Developmental Research Program (DRP) supports novel, high‑impact projects from both established and new investigators in the head and neck cancer field.
• The Career Enhancement Program (CEP) helps early‑career researchers launch independent research careers focused on head and neck cancers.

The I-SCREEN (Improving Strategies for Cancer Reduction through Early Detection and Engagement) ACCrual, Enrollment, and Screening Sites (ACCESS) Hub is a collaborative partnership among the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center, the Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP), and Kaiser Permanente regions in Colorado and Hawaii. These partners aim to expand access to cancer screening, improve early detection, and increase engagement in communities at higher risk for cancer.

Thirty‑two leading U.S. academic research centers receive Lead Academic Participating Site (LAPS) grants—special funding through the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). Most are NCI‑Designated Cancer Centers with strong fellowship programs and proven clinical research capacity.

LAPS sites must demonstrate two strengths:

• High patient enrollment in NCTN trials.
• Scientific leadership in trial design and execution.

LAPS funding supports the research staff needed to sustain large‑scale enrollment and data management, thereby increasing per‑patient reimbursement. It also provides resources for on‑site scientific and administrative leadership to set trial priorities, train research teams, and strengthen strategies that enhance patient participation.

The CU Anschutz Cancer Center offers two NCI‑funded T32 training programs that prepare the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians. The Training Program in Cancer Biology (TPCB) provides predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows with intensive, mentored research focused on the mechanisms that drive cancer initiation and progression, spanning oncogenesis, tumor evolution, immunology, and targeted therapeutics. Fellows work with expert faculty across a wide range of tumor types and have access to state‑of‑the‑art shared resources, including genomics, imaging, sequencing, and biostatistics. Professional development is integrated into the program through seminars, workshops, a clinical exposure experience, and opportunities to present at national meetings.

The Cancer Immunotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics Program (CIETP) trains clinical and research fellows in emerging immune‑directed and cellular therapies. The program addresses expanding treatment modalities, unique immune‑related toxicities, and the need for better predictive biomarkers. Trainees pursue either a basic/translational immunology research path or a clinical research path focused on developing innovative immunotherapy trials. Together, these T32 programs provide a comprehensive, research‑intensive environment that equips trainees to advance the future of cancer biology, immunotherapy, and experimental therapeutics.

The Paul Calabresi Clinical Scholars Award trains early‑career investigators to become leaders in clinical therapeutic oncology research. Scholars learn to collaborate across scientific disciplines to translate discoveries into patient‑focused studies, conduct independent, hypothesis‑driven research that advances cancer care or prevention, and design and manage all phases of innovative translational clinical trials.

The Pediatric Early Phase Clinical Trials Network (PEP‑CTN) advances new treatments for children and adolescents with cancer by leading nationally coordinated early‑phase clinical trials. Established in 2019, the network builds on the work of the former Children’s Oncology Group (COG) Phase 1 Consortium and focuses on bringing promising new therapies into pediatric care as quickly and safely as possible.

PEP‑CTN designs and conducts phase 1 trials—often with phase 2 expansion cohorts—and pilot studies to evaluate the safety, dosing, and early effectiveness of novel agents and treatment approaches. These studies lay the groundwork for larger phase 3 trials and future standards of care.

Through a competitive peer‑review process, 21 COG core sites across the U.S. were selected to participate in all PEP‑CTN trials, with 21 additional non‑core sites in the U.S., Canada, and Australia participating in selected studies. The network also supports pharmacokinetic and biomarker research, which are essential to pediatric drug development. Operational and statistical support is provided by the PEP‑CTN Operations and Data/Statistics Center, embedded within the COG infrastructure.