Two Georgia NCI Community Oncology Research Programs receive $17 million in grants

Georgia CORE

Georgia NCORP (the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program) has been awarded $11 million for research funding from NCI. After a successful first five years, the statewide cancer research consortium has been awarded a six-year renewal grant expected to result in even more Georgians being enrolled in important clinical trials.

“GA NCORP is a unique collaboration that has enhanced the quality of cancer care in Georgia by expanding access to clinical trials,” said Nancy M. Paris, president and CEO of Georgia CORE. “With new NCI funding, we will build on the strengths of committed doctors and cancer centers to deliver research and personalized treatments to those most vulnerable -- rural, racial, and ethnic minorities; children; and the elderly. Georgia CORE is honored to be a partner in this exemplary statewide effort.”

Additionally, The Georgia Cancer Center at Augusta University has been awarded a six-year $6 million grant from NCI to improve access to clinical trials for a variety of cancers to underserved individuals across Georgia. GCC will be one of only 14 NCORP Minority/Underserved Community Sites in the nation. (Read more about it here.)

“This is quite remarkable,” adds Paris. “We are delighted for GCC and this well-deserved award and are thrilled for what it means for more equitable cancer care in Georgia.”

Started in 2014, Georgia NCORP is a collaboration between Georgia CORE, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute in Atlanta, and the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph’s/Candler in Savannah. From 2014-2018, approximately 30,000 patients nationwide were enrolled in NCI clinical trials through the NCORP sites. 

The Georgia NCORP partnership is one of only 32 Community Sites selected to receive cancer research funding from NCI for the next six years. Since 2014, Georgia NCORP has enrolled 2,570 cancer patients in clinical trials, providing Georgians with access to state-of-the-art cancer prevention, screening, control, treatment and post-treatment trials within their own communities. It is one of only 10 NCORP networks to receive ‘High Performance” status from NCI. There are 97 oncologists in 41 different locations throughout the state, as well as leadership and research services from Georgia CORE. (See more results from Georgia NCORP here.)

Five key cancer programs and Georgia CORE research network affiliates were selected to participate in the partnership based on their leadership and track record in community-based oncology research: John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus; Harbin Clinic in Rome; Peyton Anderson Cancer Center Navicent Health in Macon; Cancer Services at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville; and Pearlman Cancer Center at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta.

Patients with cancer or increased risks of cancer in Georgia will have access to NCI-funded clinical trials through their cancer physicians at a participating NCORP network site. Through the NCORP network, community physicians will be able to collaborate with the NCI Clinical Trials Network Research Bases and Lead Academic Participating Sites on the development of research studies that impact patients in their communities.