RTI International Receives Two Grants to Strengthen Cancer Research Access

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC —  RTI International, a nonprofit research institute, received two grants from the National Cancer Institute's Beau Biden Cancer Moonshot^SM Initiative—Improving the Management of Symptoms During and Following Cancer Treatment (IMPACT) and Accelerating Colorectal Cancer Screening and follow-up through Implementation Science (ACCSIS). The Cancer Moonshot aims to accelerate efforts to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, and achieve 10 years of progress in five years.

Dr. Barbara Kroner is a Senior Director for RTI’s Applied Pubic Health Research Center. She leads the Coordinating Center for IMPACT. Dr. Sujha Subramanian is an RTI Health Policy Fellow and leads the Coordinating Center for ACCSIS.

IMPACT will develop evidence to guide efforts to improve symptom control for cancer patients during treatment and survivorship. Using implementation science approaches, IMPACT will evaluate the adoption of integrated electronic systems for monitoring and managing patient-reported symptoms in routine cancer care.

The aim of ACCSIS is to advance research in colorectal cancer screening in support of the Cancer Moonshot goals. RTI will provide scientific expertise and logistical support to create a cohesive research group that aims to increase colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis, and referral-to-care among populations who currently have low rates of screening.

The Cancer Moonshot Initiative started after the 21^st Century Cures Act was signed into law, which authorized $1.8 billion over seven years to support accelerated cancer research. A Blue-Ribbon Panel Report serves as the road map for the scientific goals of the Cancer Moonshot and guides the funding opportunities disseminated by the National Cancer Institute that address recommendations in the report.

The IMPACT research project funding was awarded to Mayo Clinic, Northwestern University and a collaboration among six health care systems led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The ACCSIS research project funding was awarded to the University of Chicago, University of North Carolina and a collaboration between University of Kentucky and the Ohio State University.

For more information about RTI’s efforts in cancer research, visit our Center for Global Noncommunicable Diseases. For more information about the National Cancer Institute, visit www.cancer.gov.