The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program (ORP) is collaborating with AstraZeneca, a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company, to further quality in cancer care for people with advanced ovarian cancer.

This follows a recently announced and still active request for proposals, also in collaboration with AstraZeneca, on innovative approaches for improving care in unresectable stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer. 

"Advanced and recurrent ovarian cancer remains a treatment challenge," explained Wui-Jin Koh, MD, Chief Medical Officer, NCCN. "It's currently the deadliest gynecologic cancer, and requires a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach. With this project, we're looking for research that focuses on how to optimize multiple facets of management effectiveness by harnessing innovative technologies or addressing knowledge gaps."

Some areas of particular interest for proposals include:

• Adhering to standard of care management
• Delivering care through innovative methods (e.g. telemedicine and/or coordination of care between academic centers and community practices)
• Improving adoption of appropriate genetic testing
• Discovering new strategies for sharing and implementing novel findings expeditiously
• Creating shared decision-making models
• Improving the use of supportive services
• Utilizing technology to enhance quality of life in patients