The Cancer Screening Research Network's (CSRN) primary focus is to reduce cancer-related illnesses and deaths by evaluating new and complex technologies that screen for cancer.
The CSRN is a multi-center effort, funded by the National Cancer Institute, and is the first large-scale network to focus on cancer screening. Fred Hutch Cancer Center serves as the coordinating and communications center as well as the statistics and data management center.
Initial studies will examine Multi-Cancer Detection assays (MCDs), which identify cells in blood or other bodily fluids that could indicate the presence of cancer. The CSRN will begin its work in 2024 by launching the Vanguard study to assess the feasibility of using MCD tests in future larger trials.
Communications and Coordinating Center
Fred Hutch serves as the Communications and Coordinating Center (CCC). The CCC will develop study protocols and train and monitor the nine U.S. organizations that will recruit participants.
Statistics and Data Management Center
The Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC) that will oversee cancer screening clinical trials enrolling diverse participants. In addition, the SDMC will lead the statistical designs and manage and analyze the vast amounts of data generated.
“NCI has launched CSRN to evaluate a variety of different technologies for the purpose of cancer screening. Detecting cancer early is not enough to improve people’s lives. Through CSRN, we're going to study whether using these new technologies will make a difference in people’s lives.”
Dr. Lori M. Minasian, MD, Deputy Director of NCI’s Division of Cancer Prevention.
About the Cancer Screening Research Network
The CSRN is comprised of the National Cancer Institute; a Statistics and Data Management Center; a Coordinating and Communication Center; and nine Accrual, Enrollment, and Screening Site Hubs. Members of all those organizations participate in the Cancer Screening Research Network steering committee.
Fred Hutch in Seattle will serve as both the Coordinating and Communications Center and the Statistics and Data Management Center.
The CSRN supports the prevention goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Cancer Moonshotsm initiative by investigating how to identify cancers earlier, when they may be easier to treat.
Next Steps for CSRN
The CSRN will begin its work this year by launching the Vanguard study to recruit and enroll healthy participants who are eligible to be screened for cancer and assess the feasibility of using a small number of MCD tests. The Vanguard study will inform a larger randomized trial that will look at whether the benefits of using MCD tests outweigh the harms, and whether they can detect cancer early in a way that reduces cancer-related deaths.
A key focus of the CSRN will involve health equity. For starters, federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid that insure some of the most vulnerable populations won’t cover MCDs unless they’re shown to be of value. And ensuing diagnostics and treatment can incur enormous medical expenses, potentially exacerbating health disparities.
Along these same lines, the CSRN aims to engage a wide range of U.S. communities so that the results are meaningful and potentially beneficial for all.
