Veterans of clinical research know that we have entered a new era in which clinical trials are more targeted than ever to specific, biomarker-defined patient populations. This shift reflects the greater trend in healthcare toward personalized therapy, and is evidenced in the concepts that come to HCRN.

Investigators understand that clinical trials based on biomarker-selected subgroups are difficult to fully accrue, and can only succeed when conducted via collaboration across multiple institutions. An example of this can be seen in studies that involve immunotherapeutic agents for certain subgroups of patients, such as patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer, representing just 3 percent of all metastatic colorectal cancers.

To our investigators, HCRN brings not only the wisdom gained from more than three decades of multi-center investigator-initiated research, but also a responsive organizational culture that quickly adapts to the changing horizon of medical research. Only a few years ago, immunotherapy was just entering the clinical research milieu. Today, more than 60 percent of HCRN studies involve immunotherapy.

HCRN’s clinical trial working groups provide an ideal venue for investigators to test their concepts in a supportive, collegial environment. Our personal style of engagement allows young investigators to learn from the experience of thought leaders from the nation’s leading academic institutions, while providing a venue for all investigators to receive valuable scientific feedback on their research proposals. The growth of our investigator network is leading to more clinical trials in more therapeutic areas, in both solid tumor and hematologic malignancies.

Of course, none of this would be possible without strong relationships with funders. Each year, the number of pharmaceutical and biotech companies with whom we collaborate increases. And more and more, these companies return to conduct additional studies with HCRN.

We are grateful, as well, to the foundations and advocacy groups that support our studies. In fact, we are nearing completion of a personalized medicine study in breast cancer that has been fully funded through foundation grants. Another organization is funding a banking and genomic sequencing study in bladder cancer.

To all our members and collaborators, thank you for your partnership with HCRN. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2018.

— Bert H. O’Neil, MD

See the HCRN 2017 Annual Report.

About Hoosier Cancer Research Network:

Hoosier Cancer Research Network (formerly known as Hoosier Oncology Group) conducts innovative cancer research in collaboration with academic and community physicians and scientists across the United States. The organization provides comprehensive clinical trial management and support, from conception through publication. Created in 1984 as a program of the Walther Cancer Institute, Hoosier Cancer Research Network became an independent nonprofit clinical research organization in 2007. Since its founding, Hoosier Cancer Research Network has conducted more than 180 trials in a variety of cancer types and supportive care, resulting in more than 350 publications. More than 7,500 subjects have participated in Hoosier Cancer Research Network clinical trials.