KLCR Supported Programs

In 2000, the Kentucky General Assembly established the Lung Cancer Research Fund. This 20-year initiative provides a collaborative focus for the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville directed toward national recognition as leaders in lung cancer research. The Governance Board allocates research funds to the universities to accelerate the science associated with reducing morbidity and mortality from lung cancer.

The KLCR Program granting initiative announces at least annually a new cycle for pilot study applications in lung cancer. Beginning in October 2001, grants have been funded through 7 of these cycles and the 8th cycle will be announced in January 2008.

Start Date	Cycle	# of Grants	End Date	Total Resources
October 2001	1	20	September 2004	$4,934,950
July 2002	2	14	June 2005	$3,758,459
February 2003	3	11	January 2006	$3,154,660
July 2003	4	11	June 2006	$2,080,849
February 2004	5	10	January 2007	$1,701,741
July 2006	6	10	June 2008	$1,500,000
October 2007	7	15	June 2009	$2,202,688
				$19,333,347

Awarded Pilot study grants focus on lung cancer in the areas of science listed below:

Experimental Therapeutics
Cellular and Molecular Oncology
Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy
Detection, Diagnosis, Prognosis
Etiology, Epidemiology, Cancer Prevention and Control
Behavioral Oncology, Symptom and Palliative Care
Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Awards go to:

New researchers who demonstrate promise and have a supportive environment for their work
Established and productive researchers who apply their prior work to lung cancer research
Novel ideas in order to develop pilot data
Collaborative research between investigators at the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville

Research designs: Priority is given to translational and clinical projects.

Basic research

Molecular and cell biology research exploring the mechanisms of lung cancer etiology represent basic science

Translational research (Refer to SPORE definition)

Translational research projects are investigations relevant to clinical cancer issues ideally planned and conducted by multidisciplinary teams.
Pre-clinical (laboratory or nude mouse) studies of the biology of human tumors from individual patients, not established cell lines, is an essential aspect of translational research
Clinical research without correlative science projects does not represent translational research.
Examples—

Laboratory assessment of patients and/or tumors that determine biological endpoints associated with

Cancer susceptibility
Prognosis
Response to treatment (including target validation)
Response to prevention
Predictors of treatment-related toxicity

Translational design applications must include a ‘bridging’ statement that clarifies the translational nature of the study. This statement should describe the connections between basic science and prevention, diagnosis, or treatment activities proposed in the application. How does the study connect basic science to prevention, diagnosis or treatment? This statement should describe how the proposed project would enhance the candidate's capabilities in clinical science if she is a basic scientist or in basic science if he were a clinician or epidemiologist.

Clinical research

Cancer clinical trials are a sanctioned experiments typically involving a drug-agent or medical device with the aim of ascertaining its value in the treatment of cancer

Psychosocial/behavioral investigations

Psychosocial research is the study of social aspects of health, disease, treatment, and/or rehabilitation.

Population-based epidemiological research

Epidemiology is the study of diseases in populations by collecting and analyzing statistical data. In the field of cancer, epidemiologists look at how many people have cancer; who gets specific types of cancer; and what factors (such as environment, job hazards, family patterns, and personal habits, such as smoking and diet) play a part in the development of cancer.

Cycle 8 Timeline:

Release Date: January 14, 2008
Letter of Intent Date: March 15, 2008
Application Due Date: June 16, 2008
Peer Review Dates: July 1 –September 1, 2008
Governance Board Award Date: September 12-15, 2008
Start Date: October 1, 2008
End Date: September 30, 2010

Grant awards to date:
coming soon...