Release Date: April 19, 2011
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather information relevant to a planned Funding Opportunity for the basic and translational research in the area of tumor glycomics. Specifically, information is sought to determine the needs for any special resources that might enhance this research program.
This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the Federal Government, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and/or the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI does not intend to make any awards based on responses to this RFI or to otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for the Government's use of such information.
A planned Funding Opportunity is being designed to continue support for a research program oriented on tumor glycomics, originally funded through RFA-CA-07-020, "Alliance of Glycobiologists for Detection of Cancer and Cancer Risk (U01)." The general goals of the Tumor Glycomics Program (TGP) are to identify aberrant glycosylation in cancer and elucidate how the structures and functions of these glycans contribute to oncogenesis, thus providing leads for the development of translational applications for cancer prevention, detection, and diagnosis. The primary future focus for the TGP will likely be on research projects designed to address basic aspects of tumor glycomics and projects to discover, develop, and support clinical validation of glycan-based cancer biomarkers. Insights gained from studies of the roles of glycans in cancer initiation and progression will guide biomarker discovery efforts.
The renewed TGP will benefit from available NIH resources. These resources include several core components from the Consortium for Functional Glycomics (CFG, http://www.functionalglycomics.org/static/consortium/consortium.shtml), supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The CFG, along with other NIGMS-supported initiatives, can provide reagents, research protocols, and database resources in order to support and enhance the research activities of the TGP. The recently funded Programs of Excellence in Glycosciences, which is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), will also team with the Alliance to share resources and experience. Members of NCI s Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) (http://www.cancer.gov/EDRN) will continue to facilitate clinical validation of promising biomarkers discovered through the TGP. Interactions between TGP participants and EDRN investigators are viewed as critical to realization of the translational potential of glycomics-derived biomarkers.
In order to better understand and anticipate the probable needs of the TGP, the NCI seeks input from the relevant research community. All interested experts in the fields of glycomics, cancer biomarkers, and related areas are encouraged to respond to this RFI by providing, as concisely as possible, input on any one or more the following items (one page maximum, single-spaced):
- Potential research directions that could be included in the planned TGP funding initiative with specific references to the types of cancer to consider and to the nature of specimens necessary to effectively carry out the studies;
- Technologies, platforms, or paradigms that could be particularly useful for glycan biomarker discovery and development;
- Optimal strategies for integration of research on biomarker discovery and validation with research on the roles of glycans in cancer initiation and progression;
- Types of cancer glycomic changes that could be important to align with broad characterizations of molecular alterations in specific cancer types explored by other programs (e.g., at the genomic level);
- Types of resources and other special functions that NIH should consider to enhance the TGP; and
- Ways to facilitate collaborations among glycomic researchers as well as between glycomic researchers and other disciplines relevant to the development of glycomic-based cancer biomarkers.
Note: Do not include any proprietary or confidential information.
Responses will be accepted through May 25, 2011. Responses should be limited to one page and marked with this RFI identifier NOT-CA-11-012. Responses are preferred in electronic format and can be e-mailed to [email protected].
All individual responses will remain confidential. Any identifiers (e.g., names, institutions, e-mail addresses, etc.) will be removed when responses are compiled. Only the processed, anonymized results will be shared internally with NIH staff members and any scientific working groups convened by the NCI, as appropriate.
Respondents will receive an automated email confirmation acknowledging receipt of their response but will not receive any individualized feedback.
Inquiries regarding this RFI should be directed to:
Sudhir Srivastava, Ph.D., MPH
Chief, Cancer Biomarkers Research Group
Division of Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, EPN Suite 3142, MSC 7362
Bethesda, MD 20892-7362
Telephone: (301) 496-3983
FAX: (301) 402-0816
Email: [email protected]
or
Karl Krueger, Ph.D.Program Director, Cancer Biomarkers Research Group
Division of Cancer Prevention
National Cancer Institute
6130 Executive Boulevard, EPN Suite 3147, MSC 7362
Bethesda, MD 20892-7362
Telephone: (301) 594-1044
FAX: (301) 402-8990
Email: [email protected]
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