Advancing novel cancer preventive and therapeutic strategies across the modern NCI clinical trial networks

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Guided by my 16-years of experience and leadership in the NCI-sponsored clinical trial networks (NCI-CTNs), this R50 Research Specialist award offers critical support that would allow me to fully engage in high-yield activities across a spectrum of educational, leadership, and clinical trials-related research endeavors.

Fundamental to each proposed activity is a consistent focus on reducing health disparities by promoting diversity in modern clinical trial development. I would continue to provide strong leadership in my roles as member of the NCI-Cancer Prevention Steering Committee and Vice Chair of the NCI-Gastrointestinal Rectal-

Anal Task Force, inspiring the submission of novel concepts and rigorous, equitable review, enhancing the diversity of the committee's membership panel, and patient diversity in our clinical trials. As Principal Investigator (PI) for the race/ethnically diverse NCI-NCORP Phase III clinical trial S0820/PACES (Preventing

Adenomas of the Colon with Eflornithine and Sulindac), I am committed to completing all research activities within the five-year period of this grant, yielding the highest quality data for meaningful interpretation of our results. Given existing strong nationwide collaborations, this R50 grant will enable me to continue to engage in

novel minority recruitment strategies for NCI-network-based clinical trials as we build upon our prior randomized trial evidence. I would leverage the protected time provided by this R50 grant to mentor a diverse group of junior faculty and clinical fellows from various cancer-related disciplines at our institution (UC Irvine

Chao Family Comprehensive Center, UCI-CFCCC) on NCI-CTN research. Moreover, this R50 grant would provide me the autonomy to advance into new leadership positions that become available over the next five years locally (at UCI-CFCCC, where I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Data Safety Monitoring Board) and

nationally (within SWOG and the various NCI Steering Committees). Lastly, given UCI's historic strengths in early phase cancer prevention clinical trials, this grant creates an exciting opportunity for our Cancer Center to re-engage with the NCI-Division of Cancer Prevention Clinical Trial Network (CP-CTNet). As Site PI, I propose

to lead UCI as a CP-CTNet Affiliate Organization, expanding the access of our catchment area's diverse population to early phase cancer prevention clinical trials.