CISNET Sponsored Projects
Several ITA researchers are members of the Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET), a consortium of NCI-sponsored investigators. CISNET uses modeling to improve our understanding of the impact of cancer control interventions (e.g., prevention, screening, and treatment) on population trends in incidence and mortality. CISNET models have been used to project future trends and aid in the development of optimal cancer control strategies. Established in 2000 by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), CISNET funds groups with models of five cancer sites: breast, colorectal, lung, esophagus and prostate.
The ITA is the Coordinating Center for both the lung and esophagus groups. Pamela McMahon, PhD is the Principal Investigator (Contact PI) for the lung group Coordinating Center and Chin Hur, MD, MPH is the Contact PI for the esophagus group. Amy Knudsen, PhD is a Co-Investigator in the colorectal group.
If you would like more information in general or regarding possible collaborations with the CISNET lung or esophagus initiatives, please contact Caitlin Strack at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (617) 724-0863.
Esophagus CancerThe CISNET esophagus group is the newest of the five groups and consists of modeling teams from MGH, San Francisco General Hospital, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. The research will address the overarching goals of increasing our understanding of the natural history of esophageal cancer and determining the impact and of potential cancer control interventions with the ultimate goal of ameliorating cancer morbidity. Lung CancerThe CISNET lung group consists of modeling teams from the Erasmus Medical Center, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, MGH, PIRE, Stanford, and Yale. The groups' interests include tobacco control policies, screening, and genetic susceptibility. The models incorporate the association between smoking and lung cancer in various ways, including several versions of the two-stage clonal expansion model of carcinogenesis. |