MILWAUKEE, April 4, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) recently designated the MCW Cancer Center as a Lead Academic Participating Site (LAPS) for the strength and innovation of its ongoing research and science and robust participation in its clinical trials. The MCW Cancer Center is one of only 30 institutions in the United States to achieve this designation, and the only institution in Milwaukee and the eastern Wisconsin region.

This designation pushes an already outstanding and high-potential clinical research enterprise to the next level of scientific engagement, research driven treatments and outstanding clinical care. To earn this honor, the MCW Cancer Center met objective external measurements, including excellent scientific leadership in the design and conduct of research, and confirmation of robust participation in the NCTN and other cooperative group trials.

"We are thrilled to announce this honor, and I am especially thankful to the patients and families who trusted us to put them, or their loved one, on a cancer clinical trial," said Jim Thomas, MD, PhD, interim co-director of the MCW Cancer Center. "The bravery and selflessness of these patients means that we are now recognized as one of the top 30 cancer centers in the country. Now, their friends and neighbors have access to even more cutting-edge cancer treatments – right here in their own backyard."

For cancer patients treated throughout the Froedtert & MCW Cancer Network, the LAPS grant adds national recognition and resources to the institution's renowned cancer research, clinical trials programs and disease-specific treatment teams rooted in academic medicine. The LAPS grant also includes resources, funding and a network of collaboration, discovery and applications available to only the top cancer centers in the country.

"We now join this assembly of the top 30 cancer centers in the U.S. as a leader in the National Cancer Institute's Clinical Trials Network," said Hallgeir Rui, MD, PhD, interim co-director of the MCW Cancer Center. "We have always been confident in our innovative and important cancer research and clinical care, but now we have that seal or stamp of approval from the NCI. It's a very important milestone for us as a center."

The LAPS grant will also benefit the wider greater Milwaukee metro area and eastern Wisconsin community, as it creates mentorships and training opportunities for the next generations of cancer physician scientists and supports research that promotes cancer prevention and understanding in the communities the MCW Cancer Center serves.

The principal investigator of LAPS is Stuart Wong, MD, and his co-investigators are William Bradley, MD; Timothy Fenske, MD; Elizabeth Gore, MD; Mary Horowitz, MD, MS; Brent Logan, PhD; Janet Rader, MD; Kathleen Schmainda, PhD; James Thomas, MD, PhD, and Tina Yen, MD, MPH. Numerous other faculty, staff, patients and partners have contributed to make this LAPS grant possible for the MCW Cancer Center.

SOURCE Medical College of Wisconsin

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