Developmental Research Program

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ABSTRACT: DEVELOPMENTAL AND RESEARCH PROGRAM CORE The Developmental Research Program (DRP) of the Liver Cancer in American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) Disparities (Li-CAD) P20 Program will support early-phase projects that have the potential to open new areas of translational liver cancer research and ultimately, contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality and improving quality-of-life for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Projects funded under the DRP are intended to rapidly advance a new idea or concept that has the potential to substantially impact our understanding of liver cancer to eliminate disparities and improve surveillance, early detection, and treatment of HCC in AI/AN persons and thereby reduce or eliminate HCC-related mortality. The infrastructure of the DRP will establish mechanisms to quickly respond to translational research opportunities within the Li-CAD P20 Program institutions that require support to advance hypotheses or confirm feasibility in order to justify larger resource investments. Developmental projects will include research in basic science, clinical science, and population-based studies, and will build collaborations between Li-CAD sites and other institutions with P20 Programs and SPOREs in liver cancer and disparities research. Developmental projects may encompass a wide range of liver cancer research and treatment areas, including basic science, etiology and prevention (primary and secondary), early detection, prognosis, therapeutics, and survivorship. Collectively, the DRP is structured to strengthen collaborations between Li-CAD sites and initiate interactions with other institutions with P20 Programs and SPOREs in liver cancer. DRP proposals will be supported based on their potential to mature an original idea or concept into a translational research project that will successfully attain independent funding, either within a subsequent P50 or from other government or foundation sources. In addition, the DRP is designed to attract senior investigators with diverse scientific expertise and junior investigators new to translational liver cancer research. The Specific Aims for the Developmental Research Program are to: 1. Stimulate the development of innovative, impactful, early-phase research studies that include multidisciplinary interactions with basic, clinical, and population scientists across the Li-CAD institutions; 2. Provide funding (1-2 years) and infrastructure (e.g., biospecimens, biostatistical support) to rapidly test the feasibility of original investigator-initiated projects in all areas of HCC research; 3. Prioritize funding to rapidly exploit new opportunities or support specific areas of strategic importance for advancing the translational research goals of the Li-CAD P20 Program; and 4. Monitor (and facilitate) the progress of each DRP project and consider their advancement to a full P50 SPORE project.