The Administrative Core (Core A), the Pathology and Genomics Core (Core B), and the Biostatistics Core (Core C) are essential components of our SPORE Program. As outlined below, and detailed within each respective section of our proposal, all 3 cores are deeply integrated into our research program and are not simply replicating infrastructure that already exists within the HCC Lung Cancer program. Rather, these cores unify and concentrate key investigators and resources from our member institutions and provide unique services and technologies that will facilitate successful execution of each project. Moreover, representatives from each core program are also included on our GC, which will further strengthen our SPORE by ensuring integration and providing input on key decisions.
Lung Cancer
Specialized Programs of Research Excellence
The goal of the Administration Core is to facilitate the functions and management of the Lung SPORE and to ensure the research is performed with rigor and to the highest possible standards.
The Integrated Pathology and Genomics Core provides state-of-the-art analytic services for lung cancer samples spanning the full spectrum from initial sample handling and processing, to microscopic analysis by certified anatomic pathologists, to immunophenotypic analysis, to molecular genetic and genomic analysis. This work constitutes the backbone of lung cancer management and enables the diagnosis and proper treatment selection for patients with lung cancers of all types, and also enables research into cancer biology, etiology, and management.
During the last few decades, the development of novel and powerful statistical tools as well as increasing access to low-cost, high-speed computing have made significant impacts on cancer research. Consequently, an expanded and critical role has emerged for statisticians to collaborate in the investigative process, and more importantly, a higher and more rigorous standard has been established and accepted widely in the definition of scientific evidence. Notably, the rapid advances in genetics and genomics through large-scale molecular approaches to personalized medicine have presented new challenges in experimental design and data analysis. The Biostatistics Core investigators have been chosen for their complementary scope of biostatistical expertise and research experience in animal models and clinical trials as well as correlative analyses of clinical, pathologic, and molecular data.
