Habib Rahbar, MD, co-chair, ECOG-ACRIN Radiomics Working Group, contributed this post.
Right now, the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) is soliciting abstracts for oral presentation at its Young Investigator Symposium on October 24th in Fort Lauderdale. This is a great event not only for presenting research, but it is also an opportunity to observe scientific committee meetings, participate in educational sessions for clinical trial professionals and meet one-on-one with potential mentors and other attendees.
ECOG-ACRIN is an excellent group with which to align during your career. Imaging and biomarker studies pervade and enrich disease-specific trials, while imaging-specific trials focus on disease-relevant trials and integrate with laboratory-based markers.
Imaging researchers in ECOG-ACRIN are a diverse group of members who share a common interest in advancing oncologic imaging clinical trials. Together, we represent radiology and nuclear medicine physicians, oncologists, clinical trial methodologists, imaging technologists, and research associates. Our collaborative approach lends a positive precedence for how all groups work together in the National Cancer Trials Network.
How does this research unfold?
It begins with the Imaging Committee —a hub for imaging scientists. The committee develops and conducts trials for early evaluation of new imaging agents and approaches, and plans for their broader application. Every disease-oriented committee or working group in ECOG-ACRIN includes an Imaging Chair. Additionally, members of the Radiation Oncology Committee provide specialized expertise during the conception of new therapeutic trials.
Opportunities extend to the Imaging Committee’s four working groups. In precision oncology, the Quantitative Imaging Working Group and the Radiomics Working Group develop and evaluate imaging-related biomarkers to predict and monitor targeted treatment response. The Quantitative Imaging Working Group oversees our strong collaboration with the National Cancer Institute’s Quantitative Imaging Network. The Experimental Imaging Science Working Group maintains a network of academic and commercial cyclotron facilities to supply IND radiopharmaceuticals for trials. The Immunotherapy Working Group provides specialized expertise across the group.
This is an exciting time to be involved. ECOG-ACRIN and the American College of Radiology are collaborating on the Tomosynthesis Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST), a trial that will define the future of personalized screening for breast cancer and establish the largest ever biorepository for future research.
I encourage you to learn more about ECOG-ACRIN, and take advantage of the networking and mentorship opportunities available through the Young Investigator Symposium. Abstracts are due September 12th and up to eight individuals will be chosen. You can review the submission requirements at ecog-acrin.org.
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