Funding of biomarker, imaging, quality-of-life (QOL), and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) studies by NCI.

104 Background: NCI’s purpose for the Biomarker, Imaging, and QOL Studies Funding Program (BIQSFP) is to ensure that the most important, scientifically meritorious biomarker, imaging, QOL, and/or CEA studies can be initiated in a timely manner in association with NCI clinical trials. BIQSFP studies are embedded in selected large, randomized phase II treatment trial concepts with a control arm and an integral study(ies), along with integral and/or integrated studies associated with phase III treatment trials, cancer prevention trials, and primary symptom management trials. Methods: BIQSFP provides opportunities to enhance clinical outcomes by validating targets, reducing morbidity, predicting treatment effectiveness, identifying populations that may better benefit from treatment, improving clinical trial accrual and retention, and modifying standards of care. BIQSFP applications are accepted from NCI Cooperative Groups and Community Clinical Oncology Programs. Integral components must be performed in order...