International Bladder Cancer Network

The International Bladder Cancer Bank

Update - summary - September 2000

The response to our proposal for an International Bladder Cancer Bank, as it was presented and discussed at the different meetings and most recently at the NCI-EORTC meeting in Nyborg, Denmark, clearly demonstrates that it is time for action.

This page is intended to give a brief  summary of the next steps, that we will take to initiate this effort.

Action groups

Currently the formation of the action groups is in process. Each action group will have a  project page which will be updated regularly. Please check for updates of these web pages.
The groups will separately invite investigators and institutions to join the different pilot projects which will also serve as a basis for a consensus recommendation. The provided proposals should serve as a starting point for discussion and suggestions within this action group.
In general, we think surveys and pilot projects are essential to the building of the Bank, since
        (a) they will provide important information on the interest and the feasibility
        (b) they will also be a good starting point for the collaboration among the centers
        (c) they will help to determine the needs of this new undertaking
        (d) they will set new standards

The table below provides an overview of the Action groups as they currently are proposed.

Action group Corresponding Manager Activities / Responsibilities
Pathology and Tissue Procurement
Debra Hawes
hawes@hsc.usc.edu
  • establish procedures for tissue

    •     handling and storage
  • recommend / standardize methods

    •     (e.g. IHC)
    Database and Statistics
    Núria Malats
    (subgroup for database survey)
    Nmalats@IMIM.ES
  • define data elements and schedule

    •     for data acquisition
  • review or assist with study designs
  • recommend methods for statistical

    •    analysis
  • assist with analyses
    		•
    Data Management System
    to be announced
  • ensure that computer software is 

    •    appropriate
  • bank server maintanance
    		•
    Ethical and Legal Issues
    to be announced
  • ensure that legal and ethical

    •    aspects of studies are appropriate
       (e.g. patient confidentiality,
       tumor transfer…)
  • assist with and/or coordinate IRB

    •    issues in different countries
  • ensure that IRB issues/standards

    •    are met
    Tissue Utilization
    to be announced
    for information:
    goebell@usc.edu
  • establish criteria and protocols for

    •    tissue array studies for this project
  • oversee utilization of Bank "arrays"
    		•
    Protocol Assistance
    Susan Groshen
    groshen@usc.edu
  • help members and Bank users to
  • prepare the study protocols and

    •    applications
  • suggest formats
    		•

    Core group and scientific board
                Here input of all would be extremely helpful.
                Proposed Function and Activities
                  (a)    meet regularly to review projects and activities associated with the Bank
                  (b)    suggest/propose rules & regulations
                  (c)    identify needs of new directions
                  (d)    identify needs on improvement
                  (e)    review function and interaction among action groups
                  (f)     be responsible for funding of the bank
     

    Next Meeting

    Although there is currently no meeting planned, we feel that there is a very strong need for discussion within a larger group, including pathologists, statisticians as well as researchers and clinicians, who contribute to the understanding of bladder cancer research. This could be implemented among other projects in a third meeting in Barcelona in Spring 2001 (the interest for such a meeting is currently under evaluation).
    Again, we welcome input from everyone to this combined multi-institutional effort to create this unique oportunity of an international resource in bladder cancer research.

    Yours sincerely,
     

    Peter J. Goebell, MD
    USC/Hoffman Medical Research Center
    Departments of Urology and Pathology
    2011 Zonal Avenue, Room 308
    Los Angeles, CA 90033
    Tel: 323-442-1152
    Fax: 323-442-1154
      goebell@usc.edu    		 Susan G. Groshen, PhD
    USC/Norris Cancer Center
    Department of Preventive Medicine
    1441 Eastlake Avenue, Suite 3419
    Los Angeles, CA 90089
    Tel: 323-865-0375
    Fax: 323-865-0133
      groshen@usc.edu