SWOG researchers host 2nd Japan/U.S. biostatistics conference

Brief

Several center researchers took part in the 2nd annual Japan/U.S. Conference on Biostatistics on Sept. 23-24 in Seattle. The meeting, hosted by Cancer Research And Biostatistics (CRAB) and the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, featured presentations from leading biostatisticians from both countries on topics in clinical and translational cancer research. The first conference, held last year in Seattle's sister city of Kobe, was the culmination of 12 years of collaboration to build partnerships in biostatistical research and clinical trials development and implementation.

One recent collaboration conducted in parallel in both countries — a Phase 3 clinical trial for lung-cancer patients — made clear that there are differences in toxicities among participants from Japan and the United States that stem from either genetic or cultural conditions, said Dr. John Crowley, founder of CRAB and the director of the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) Statistical Center. The statistical center is jointly housed within CRAB and the Public Health Sciences Division.

"More truly collaborative — not just parallel — trials must be performed to pin down similarities and differences in the effectiveness of chemotherapy," said Crowley, also a PHS investigator.

Crowley said that the partnership between the two groups of scientists has helped to launch an ongoing international collaboration focused on improving the understanding and care for life-threatening diseases. The researchers will meet again next year in Kyoto for the third annual conference.

Other conference presenters from the center included Drs. Donna Pauler Ankerst, Michael LeBlanc, Ping-Yu Liu, Barry Storer and Catherine Tangen. Dr. William Barlow and Crowley represented CRAB.

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