What is the future of oncology? National Cancer Institute initiatives to improve research, development, and implementation in cancer prevention and treatment.

To improve the efficiency and effectiveness with which we bring novel cancer treatment and prevention strategies into routine clinical use, the National Cancer Institute has commissioned the Clinical Trials Working Group to restructure its activities related to clinical trials. A total of 22 initiatives have been developed and are being implemented under the rubrics of Coordination, Prioritization/Scientific Quality, Standardization, Operational Efficiency, and Integrated Management. A similar model was recently applied to the newly formed Translational Research Working Group, which will focus on more efficient translation of scientific discoveries arising from the laboratory, clinic, or population into early phase clinical testing.