SWOG Update
August 5, 2009
Contents  
Welcome to edition #1 of the SWOG Update.

For all members and friends of the Southwest Oncology Group, the SWOG Update will keep you informed of what's happening with the Group. News to report? Send it to communications@swog.org.

 
Study Updates  

S0500: Counting CTCs to evaluate breast cancer treatment
How effective of a barometer is CTC level in measuring the efficacy of treatment in a clinical setting, and can that measurement be used to extend lives? [more]

cetuximab molecule S0819 adds a new drug to a standard lung cancer therapy
SWOG's newest study will compare outcomes for lung cancer patients given an accepted standard treatment to outcomes for patients given the same treatment plus cetuximab. [more]

 
In the News  
You, your colleagues, and your cooperative group in the media ...
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Chair's Corner

Why we do what we do

Group Chair Laurence H. Baker, D.O.
Laurence H. Baker, D.O., SWOG Group Chair
Our mission is straightforward: to make progress in the prevention and cure of cancer through clinical research. Our objectives define how we, as the Southwest Oncology Group, work toward this mission.

Last year we revisited and modernized our research objectives, and I want to take a moment to share these with you. We just completed a visit to Bethesda to present our case for renewal of SWOG’s treatment grant before National Cancer Institute reviewers, and these objectives formed the framework of our presentation.

SWOG's research objectives

  1. To rapidly design, activate, complete, and report on scientifically important and clinically relevant cancer clinical trials.
  2. To lead and participate in intergroup studies.
  3. To develop and incorporate modern statistical methodology.
  4. To integrate relevant laboratory medicine in the design and conduct of our clinical trials, with emphasis upon the outstanding science originating at Cancer Centers and SPORE programs within our network.
  5. To foster and develop young investigators in the Southwest Oncology Group, who will be called upon to lead and sustain our mission in the long term.
  6. To conduct our studies with the highest of ethical standards, consistent with assuring public and regulatory agency confidence in our data.
  7. To engage all appropriate medical and scientific disciplines including pharmacy and nursing, as well as data managers, regulatory staff, and patient advocates in the design and conduct of our clinical trials.
  8. To minimize bias and prejudice in the design and conduct of our clinical trials with respect to gender, age, race, socioeconomic status, and other population characteristics.
  9. To dedicate resources so as to continually improve the quality of our data as judged by their users, including regulatory agencies.
  10. To work collaboratively with all cooperative groups and the representatives of the NCI toward advancing our joint purpose.

Got news to tell? Send it to communications@swog.org.