Northwestern University Lead Academic Participating Site

/ABSTRACT The Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center (LCC) of Northwestern University, as an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, has excelled as a Lead Academic Participating Site (LAPS) within the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). LCC aims to build upon its established infrastructure to drive innovation in cancer clinical trials, particularly early-phase and multi-center studies, while prioritizing health and expanding access to populations across our catchment area. Through our robust leadership, strong operational framework, and extensive network of integrated component sites, we strive to deliver high-quality, impactful clinical trials that advance cancer care. By aligning scientific expertise, operational efficiency, and community engagement, the LCC will continue to enhance trial accrual and expand access to cutting-edge treatments for patients. LCC members play pivotal roles in the NCTN through leadership positions and scientific contributions that shape trial design and implementation. Faculty serve as national PIs, protocol chairs, and committee leaders across multiple cooperative groups, including Alliance, ECOG-ACRIN, SWOG, and NRG Oncology. For example, Dr. Al B. Benson III serves as Vice Chair of ECOG-ACRIN, co-chair of the Cancer Care Delivery Research Committee, and chair of several critical protocols. Dr. Daniela Matei leads translational science initiatives for NRG and chairs high-impact protocols in gynecological oncology. LCC investigators are also actively engaged in the development of innovative trials, such as leveraging ctDNA biomarkers in pancreatic cancer, led by Dr. Akhil Chawla through the Alliance cooperative group, and evaluating novel symptom science approaches, spearheaded by Dr. Sheetal Kircher within ECOG-ACRIN. This comprehensive engagement ensures that the LCC is a vital driver of innovation and collaboration within the NCTN. Over the last 5 years, LCC has focused on expanding clinical trials to 14 Network Locations which have been added as integrated components to the LAPS grant. Expansion network locations will significantly enhance the LCC's ability to increase accrual to NCTN trials by bringing clinical research opportunities closer to patients across the catchment area, thereby reducing barriers to participation and promoting access to cutting-edge cancer care. Over 900 patients were accrued to NCTN interventional trials during the past funding period. By aligning scientific expertise, operational efficiency, and community engagement, the LCC will continue to enhance trial accrual and expand access to cutting-edge treatments for patients, improving outcomes and reducing disparities. Project Number: 1UG1CA308665-01 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Principal Investigator: AL BENSON (+1 co-PI) | Institution: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, CHICAGO, IL | Award Amount: $1,139,381 | Activity Code: UG1 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 CDPT-R (55)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11291660