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Cancer Center for Kids
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Research
A Behind the Scenes Look at COG Central at the Cancer Center for Kids
The Cancer Center for Kids is the only comprehensive pediatric cancer program in Nassau County that is a member of the prestigious Children's Oncology Group (COG), whose mission is to cure and prevent childhood and adolescent cancer through research and national treatment protocols. The Center participates fully in national protocols for all malignant diseases, with the latest cutting edge therapy, as well as access to experimental agents when needed.
COG consists of more than 2,000 physicians in more than 250 hospitals who treat children with cancer in the United States, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. By entering children onto national clinical trials, COG members have increased the cancer cure rate for children from less than 10 percent in the 1950s to nearly 80 percent today. These pediatric oncology centers have been responsible for much of the research that has achieved the wonderful advances in the survival and cure rates for childhood cancers during the past several decades.`
We at Winthrop University Hospital are a full participating member in the Children's Oncology Group (COG). This international network of researchers and health care providers has made incredible strides in the treatment of childhood cancer.
For us to continue to participate in the wonderful advances that have been made in the treatment of childhood cancer therapy, we have certain responsibilities that must be fulfilled. These primary responsibilities are ongoing and can be categorized into the following areas: data management; administration/coordination of studies; and regulatory compliance.
Involvement in the Children's Oncology Group research network mandates that we provide timely information (data) to them, on all patients enrolled on clinical trials. By data, we mean specific information is shared with COG about each patient, their phase of treatment, and any adverse experience they might have had. The responsibility of data management is ongoing and continues for as long as the patient and family allows.
Providing COG with data is important for several reasons. It provides the researchers with vital pieces of information in order to help them evaluate the effectiveness of new treatments and identify those treatments that work the best. In addition, the information that is provided to COG on a daily basis can also identify problems before they become widespread. If there is an identifiable risk or untoward effect, we are notified immediately. This allows us to protect our patients and provide them with the best, available, up-to-date care.
The administration and coordination of research studies involves: disseminating clinical trials information to the staff in a timely fashion; maintaining protocol documentation; managing protocols to ensure implementation of specific study requirements and guidelines; and, providing a resource for the staff for protocol queries.
Lastly, is the responsibility to maintain the regulatory integrity of COG protocols. This involves the preparation and submission of various time-sensitive documents in order to comply with COG, local and national mandates. The goal of regulatory compliance is to minimize the risk of participation and to offer protection to patients who participate in research.
CureSearch represents the combined efforts of COG and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF), two organizations focusing on finding a cure for childhood cancer. As partners in this search, each arm of CureSearch has vital responsibilities covering research, care, advocacy and fundraising. Visit www.CureSearch.org for more information.
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