Requirements for NCI-Designation
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To achieve NCI-designation, a cancer center must prove itself capable of making
a major contribution to the nation's war on cancer. The designation process
typically takes years — some cancer centers spend the better part of
a decade building their programs to the level of NCI-status.
In the United States, 61 U.S. cancer centers located in 32 states (39 Comprehensive Cancer Centers and 22 Cancer Centers) hold and work to retain the NCI-designation. To achieve the designation today is an extremely competitive process. At least seven academic research institutions located in six states and the District of Columbia are known to be seeking the same status currently. These seven institutions are recipients of the NCI's Planning Grants (which are no longer available), and there are likely other institutions like the KU Cancer Center and the Stanford University Cancer Center that are working toward this status.
In the United States, 61 U.S. cancer centers located in 32 states (39 Comprehensive Cancer Centers and 22 Cancer Centers) hold and work to retain the NCI-designation. To achieve the designation today is an extremely competitive process. At least seven academic research institutions located in six states and the District of Columbia are known to be seeking the same status currently. These seven institutions are recipients of the NCI's Planning Grants (which are no longer available), and there are likely other institutions like the KU Cancer Center and the Stanford University Cancer Center that are working toward this status.
"What distinguishes the KU Cancer Center is our ability to knit together the entire research process, from drug discovery to clinical trials. We can translate discoveries our scientists make in the laboratory into new drugs that can be rapidly tested in clinical trials."
– Dr. Roy Jensen, Director, University of Kansas Cancer Center
Six key criteria
Six key criteria must be met to achieve the NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center Designation. In addition to world-class leaders and researchers, the KU Cancer Center must demonstrate strong institutional commitment and organizational strengths, show interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration and coordination, and articulate a well-defined cancer focus.
To begin that effort, Roy Jensen, M.D., a renowned breast cancer researcher, was recruited from the NCI-designated Vanderbilt University-Ingram Cancer Center to be the first full-time director for the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute and to lead the KU Cancer Center's effort to achieve NCI-status for Kansas.
A number of initiatives were launched in 2005 under the leadership of Dr. Jensen, including:
Creating a Clinical Affiliate Network of providers across the State to ensure that all Kansans have greater access to the best in cancer therapies and prevention even in rural areas
Increasing federal research funding for cancer research by a minimum of $40 million
Improving coordination of Phase I clinical trials, including a unique role for KU Medical Center's Wichita campus
Gaining federal support for a cancer informatics infrastructure based in Wichita
Recruiting a critical mass of talented research faculty
Building a state-of-the-art Cancer Research Center and conducting a needs assessment for in-patient care facilities.
Learn more about the desired investment from the State of Kansas.
To begin that effort, Roy Jensen, M.D., a renowned breast cancer researcher, was recruited from the NCI-designated Vanderbilt University-Ingram Cancer Center to be the first full-time director for the Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute and to lead the KU Cancer Center's effort to achieve NCI-status for Kansas.
A number of initiatives were launched in 2005 under the leadership of Dr. Jensen, including:
Learn more about the desired investment from the State of Kansas.
