The Cancer Genetics Network: recruitment results and pilot studies.

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Cancer Research
• Public Health

Background:

• The National Cancer Institute established the Cancer Genetics Network (CGN) to investigate the genetic basis of cancer susceptibility.
• The CGN aims to integrate genetic findings into medical practice and address related psychosocial, ethical, legal, and public health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To support collaborative research on cancer genetics.
• To develop infrastructure for integrating genetic knowledge into healthcare.
• To address ethical, legal, and public health aspects of cancer genetics.

Main Methods:

• Developed complex infrastructure with guidelines, policies, and standardized questionnaires.
• Enrolled cancer patients and family members for a pool of study participants.
• Utilized an Information Technology Group for multicenter research protocol support.

Main Results:

• As of January 2004, data included 23,995 probands and 425,798 family members.
• The CGN offers a large resource of participants with diverse ethnicities for cancer genetic studies.
• Supports various study designs, including case-control, case-case, and family studies.

Conclusions:

• CGN resources are available for cancer genetic susceptibility, translational, and behavioral research.
• Approved collaborators can access enrolled patients, families, and banked data for special studies.