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Physicians named to NCI task forces
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Two physicians from the University of New Mexico Cancer Center have been named to task forces as part of the NCI’s new National Clinical Trials Network.
Melanie Royce, MD, PhD, a tenured professor in the division of hematology/oncology, will serve on the breast oncology locally-advanced disease task force. Royce is director of the UNM Cancer Center Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic.
Richard Lauer, MD, FACP, professor in the division of hematology/oncology, will serve on the renal cancer task force. Lauer is chief medical officer at the UNM Cancer Center and is the Maralyn S. Budke endowed professor in cancer care delivery. He has served as principal investigator for several clinical trials and is responsible for all clinical aspects of the UNM Cancer Center’s operations.
The NCI overhauled its clinical trials system last year, creating the National Clinical Trials Network. The new structure consolidated the nine adult cancer clinical trials groups into four groups. It also centralized functions that all of them use.
Each group’s steering committee determines the scientific value and feasibility of every clinical trial in the United States under its authority. The steering committees use task forces for guidance and advice.