The HCC Prostate SPORE Administrative Core (Core A) is instrumental for the overall function and success of the Prostate SPORE program. The Directors will work closely with Advisory Board Members, Patient Advocates, and SPORE investigators to foster an environment that promotes collaboration and transparency in research. Regular reviews and fiscal oversight by Core A will ensure that the program has the resources it needs to be successful. Core A will also ensure that the SPORE integrates well with the broader HCC program and is capable of leveraging resources and institutional infrastructure to accelerate translational prostate cancer research.
The goal of the Administrative Core is to ensure the overall success of the HCC Prostate SPORE in achieving its mission to catalyze and accelerate impactful translational research that impacts the treatment and outcomes for individuals with prostate cancer.
Aim 1: Provide necessary resources and fiscal oversight. Core A will be responsible for the overall management and administration of the SPORE under the leadership of SPORE Co-Directors Drs. Beltran and Balk, SPORE investigator Dr. Timothy Rebbeck, and lead patient advocate Mr. Thomas Farrington. The Core will be supported by an administrator to help with the planning and organization of SPORE translational research meetings and other events, coordination of IAB and EAB and executive meetings, patient advocacy meetings, communication, and other goals of Core A. There will also be a dedicated grant administrator at DFCI who will ensure that standard administrative procedures will be applied for the overall management, planning, monitoring, fiscal oversight, and reporting of the SPORE activities. The Core will oversee the management of key personnel, monitor progress as well as interactions between the projects and cores, and guide their development. Core A will work with DRP and CEP programs to distribute RFAs, organize review panels, allocate funding, and ensure diversity of applicants and mentors.
Aim 2: Monitor research progress and plan for the future. Research progress will be reviewed regularly by the Administrative Core to ensure projects are proceeding according to their goals, and if not, that changes are made (i.e., addition of resources, modification of research focus) to produce successful results. Reviews will also ensure proper regulatory compliance, patient consenting and data sharing. Research updates will be formally presented annually to the Internal Advisory Board and External Advisory Board. In addition, ongoing evaluation of research progress will continue through presentations at the monthly SPORE Research-in-Progress meetings, the annual HCC prostate cancer retreat, and during scheduled meetings between project/core leaders, SPORE leadership, and patient advocates. The Administrative Core will organize these meetings and maintain reports. Additional forums and outreach related to women in prostate cancer research, underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, and the community will also be supported to ensure diverse representation of both researchers and patients. Core A will also be the primary point of contact with NCI, providing a flow of information regarding progress and scientific advances.
Aim 3: Integrate the SPORE within the Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center. By providing access to HCC shared resources, clinical trials infrastructure, and educational and outreach initiatives, as well as providing dedicated institutional funding to the SPORE, HCC will help catalyze research and accelerate progress within the Prostate SPORE program. In turn, the Prostate SPORE will also provide added value to the HCC community at large by providing core resources, funding for pilot projects, and fostering collaborations and career development. Core A will work closely with HCC to link the SPORE website and social media pages and to announce educational symposia, research meetings, new RFAs, and patient educational meetings, and other SPORE activities throughout the HCC community and the greater Boston area.
Aim 4: Foster collaborative research and dissemination of research findings. The Administrative Core will help disseminate research, facilitate data sharing, and foster collaborations within the SPORE, HCC at large, and with other SPORE programs. The core will support monthly translational research meetings, an annual prostate cancer retreat, a women in science forum, inter-SPORE meetings, and other events. The core will nominate SPORE investigators for presentations, support attendance and participation, and encourage women and underrepresented researchers to participate. We hope these interactions will encourage investigators from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, establish multidisciplinary mentorship for young investigators, and continue to foster a culture of diversity and translational research.
Aim 5: Integrate a patient perspective throughout all research activities in the Prostate SPORE. The SPORE is committed to patients and will work to ensure the patient perspective is incorporated throughout all research activities in the SPORE. To this end, we have assembled a Prostate Cancer Patient Advocacy Committee. We currently have seven members on the Committee and will continue to grow this program as part of the SPORE. SPORE patient advocates will be integrated and provide guidance to the SPORE in all aspects of the program.
