Disease-Oriented Teams
The multidisciplinary Disease-Oriented Teams (DOTs) coordinate the cancer center’s clinical research, meeting regularly to discuss patients and clinical trial activities. The DOTs are composed of clinical and clinical research faculty from multiple disciplines (medical, radiation and surgical oncology, radiology, and pathology), research nurses, and Clinical Trials Office (CTO) members. DOTs serve as the first stage of the cancer center’s Protocol Review and Submission process, reviewing proposed trials in the context of their programmatic goals and their current trial portfolio.
In addition, DOTs analyze patient volumes and accrual to current and recent trials to ensure accrual goals are reasonable and adequate. CTO team members document DOT discussions and decisions. Once a DOT decides to support a trial proposal, protocols are submitted for SRC review prior to IRB review. The Clinical Research Committee, chaired by the associate director for clinical research, oversees all cancer center clinical research activities, including the DOTs’ clinical research portfolio and accrual activities. The associate director for clinical research also meets with each DOT quarterly to provide metrics of past performance and to review future translational research trials, especially IITs, cooperative group, and biomarker studies.
DOTs analyze patient volumes and accrual to current/recent trials to ensure the accrual goals are reasonable and adequate. Clinical Trials Office (CTO) Team Managers document the DOT discussions and decisions. SRC review decisions are communicated back to the DOTs in addition to the investigator.
