Stand Up To Cancer: AACR Issues a Call for Ideas to the Cancer Research Community

Deadline for Ideas for Translational Cancer Research Projects is August 20, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - As the scientific partner to Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), an unprecedented collaboration uniting the major television networks, entertainment industry executives, celebrities and prominent leaders in cancer research and patient advocacy, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) issues to the cancer community a call for ideas for translational cancer research projects that hold the most promise for rapid translation into clinical realities.

From its leadership position in the cancer research community, the AACR is committed to conducting expert scientific peer-review of research projects and administering funds raised by Stand Up To Cancer through a rigorous, yet nimble, rapid and transparent review process under the direction of a Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of recognized leaders in the field of cancer research.

The SU2C collaboration will establish and support a focused and intense effort to advance cancer research as rapidly as possible through the creation of collaborative, translational research “Dream Teams.” The most talented and promising researchers across institutions and multiple disciplines will be assembled into Dream Teams that will use the new tools of molecular biology and systems biology to attack research questions that are most likely to bring near-term patient benefit. Collaboration is expected to occur within and among the Dream Teams - an approach that promotes the sharing of information and a goal-oriented focus on key problems in cancer designed with measurable milestones of progress. SU2C believes that this unique Dream Team model will quickly advance scientific research in the interests of both today’s cancer patients and those who may develop cancer in the future.

The AACR calls upon members of the cancer community to join this collaborative effort by contributing their ideas to the groundbreaking SU2C Dream Team research model. Written suggestions for translational cancer research projects that would address critical problems in patient care, including prevention strategies for those at risk, and deliver near-term patient benefit through investigation by a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional Dream Team of expert investigators are invited. These research projects may focus on particular organ sites or on specialized research areas and should be based on perceived opportunities for success as well as high-priority areas with a critical need for rapid progress beyond current medical care.

The collective ideas for Dream Team translational research projects suggested by the cancer community will assist the Stand Up To Cancer Scientific Advisory Committee in its deliberations and selection of SU2C Dream Teams. The Scientific Advisory Committee is led by Chairperson and Nobel Laureate, Phillip A. Sharp, Ph.D., Institute Professor, David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Vice-Chairpersons, Arnold J. Levine, Ph.D., Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study and Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Brian J. Druker, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University Cancer Institute.

The number of Dream Teams to be formed will depend upon the total amount of funds raised through SU2C. Based upon the scope of each Dream Team project, grant amounts could reach $20 million.

Ideas should be submitted using the instructions and form found at www.aacr.org; submissions should be no longer than two pages and should include a project summary statement with background and rationale, a description of the expertise and key personnel needed for the Dream Team, and an explanation of clinical impact and key literature references. Submissions must be sent via e-mail to SU2C@aacr.org. Inquiries regarding this process should be directed to SU2C@aacr.org or (267) 646-0653. The submission deadline is Wednesday, August 20, 2008.

In this call for ideas, the AACR is not accepting research proposals for grant funding. Rather the AACR is inviting ideas for SU2C Dream Team translational research projects. An announcement about SU2C Innovative Cancer Research Grant opportunities will be made in fall of 2008. Additional information about SU2C and its funding model can be found here.