CHAPEL HILL, NC - UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of eight institutions in the US to receive a two-year $125,000 grant to support clinical trials in gastrointestinal cancers. Bert O’Neil, MD, associate professor of medicine and co-leader of the UNC Lineberger GI Oncology Program, is principal investigator of the grant, funded by Aptium Oncology GI Consortium.

Drawing on the international expertise of GI cancer experts, the Consortium’s goal is to design a new process for clinical trials that is faster, more efficient and less bureaucratic, allowing institutions to more rapidly take new drugs into studies in relatively uncommon malignancies, ultimately identifying those that are most effective. Each member institution has demonstrated expertise in the multidisciplinary and translational approach to gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies.

O’Neil said, “The consortium is exciting because it will allow the UNC GI program to bring a number of new agents to patients with GI malignancies such as stomach, liver and pancreatic cancer that have been relatively underserved by clinical trials.”

Other member institutions are: University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, California; Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville Tennessee; University of Colorado Cancer Center, Denver, Colorado; New York University Langone Medical Center, Fox Chase Cancer Center Partners, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Swedish Cancer Institute.

Note: O’Neil can be reached at (919) 966-4431