The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sponsors many clinical trials. These studies are often run by NCI-sponsored cancer cooperative groups, which are networks of doctors and institutions across the country who specialize in a particular aspect of cancer. ICC is a founding partner of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center which is one of 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers designated by the NCI.
Major cancer centers such as ICC are often the focal points of clinical trials research because they usually have the most advanced facilities and a highly trained staff and can conduct all phases of clinical trials.
In the Unites States, there are currently 10 major cooperative groups conducting studies:
- American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN)
- American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG)
- Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)
- Children's Oncology Group (COG)
- Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG)
- Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG)
- National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP)
- North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG)
- Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)
- Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG)
Other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies also sponsor some cancer clinical trials.