Seattle Cancer and Aging Program

Thematic areas of pilot projects

A broad range of research along the cancer control spectrum and the biology intersect of aging and cancer is included under this scientific initiative. The research scope is based on the seven thematic areas defined by NIA/NCI. While applicants may pursue any of these areas, the following areas are priorities for this grant - 2. Treatment Efficacy and Tolerance; 3. Effects of Comorbidity; and 7. The Biology of Aging and Cancer.

The seven thematic areas of research are:

1. Patterns of Care: Studies with a focus on older patients using both prospective and retrospective data that could include community-based studies, patient management, cancer site-specific studies, and maximizing existing data (e.g., SEER special studies, HCFA linkage, tissue banks, family network studies).

2. Treatment Efficacy and Tolerance: Clinical trials, pharmacology of anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, surgery, available technology, other modalities, characterization of inadmissable older patients to clinical trials.

3. Effects of Comorbidity: Studies could include problems of diagnosis and treatment, disability, functional limitations, assessment, recurrence, detection of second primaries.

4. Prevention, Risk Assessment and Screening: Impediments for older-aged persons asymptomatic or with symptoms precluding their entrance to the preventive and health care system (e.g., delay behavior, insufficient knowledge of cancer risk), changes that occur in cancer risk as a function of aging.

5. Psychosocial Issues and Medical Effects: Quality of life, quality of cancer survival, family and caregiver resources, early and late effects of treatment, quality cancer care, tumor recurrence, multiple primary tumors.

6. Palliative Care, End-of-Life Care, Pain Relief: Studies focused on patients with advanced cancer and associated issues in palliative care including caregiver and family support.

7. The Biology of Aging and Cancer: Genetics, molecular signatures, bench to bedside application, translational research, age-related changes as they contribute to mortality, a focus on older persons who are vulnerable to cancer as contrasted with those who are not (e.g., sibship studies).

	Thematic Areas
	Pilot Project PIs
	RFA Frequently Asked Questions
	Past Meetings