The Cancer Screening Research Network's (CSRN) primary focus is to reduce cancer-related illnesses and deaths by evaluating new and complex technologies that screen for cancer.
The CSRN is a multi-center effort, funded by the National Cancer Institute, and is the first large-scale network to focus on cancer screening. Fred Hutch Cancer Center serves as the coordinating and communications center as well as the statistics and data management center.
Initial studies will examine Multi-Cancer Detection assays (MCDs), which identify cells in blood or other bodily fluids that could indicate the presence of cancer. The CSRN began its work in 2024 with the aim of launching the Vanguard Study in 2025 to assess the feasibility of using MCD tests in future larger trials.
Coordinating and Communications Center
Fred Hutch serves as the Coordinating and Communications Center (CCC). The CCC will develop study protocols and train and monitor the nine U.S. organizations that will recruit participants.
Statistics and Data Management Center
The Statistics and Data Management Center (SDMC) that will oversee cancer screening clinical trials enrolling diverse participants. In addition, the SDMC will lead the statistical designs and manage and analyze the vast amounts of data generated.
“NCI has launched CSRN to evaluate a variety of different technologies for the purpose of cancer screening. Detecting cancer early is not enough to improve people’s lives. Through CSRN, we're going to study whether using these new technologies will make a difference in people’s lives.”
Dr. Lori M. Minasian, MD, Deputy Director of NCI’s Division of Cancer Prevention.
About
The Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN) is comprised of the National Cancer Institute; a Statistics and Data Management Center; a Coordinating and Communications Center; and nine Accrual, Enrollment, and Screening Site Hubs. Members of all those organizations participate in the Cancer Screening Research Network steering committee.
Fred Hutch in Seattle will serve as both the Coordinating and Communications Center and the Statistics and Data Management Center.
The CSRN supports the prevention goals of the Cancer MoonshotSM initiative by investigating how to identify cancers earlier, when they may be easier to treat.
The Community Advisory Board (CAB) is an independent body composed of dedicated individuals committed to enhancing the effectiveness and impact of the Cancer Screening Research Network (CSRN). Our CAB plays a crucial role in advising CSRN researchers on key components of cancer screening studies, ensuring that our research efforts are scientifically rigorous and applicable to all stakeholders. The CAB is comprised of a diverse group of professionals, including doctors, health insurance representatives, medical ethicists, healthcare professionals, business leaders, and patient advocates.
Advise on key components of the CSRN:
- Selected parts of study protocols
- Recruitment and retention strategies
- Network communication strategies
- Dissemination of study results
Review and provide input on public-facing documents:
- Informed consent forms
- Recruitment materials
- Result summaries for patients
Next Steps for CSRN
The CSRN began its work in 2024 with the aim of launching the Vanguard Study in 2025 to recruit and enroll healthy participants who are eligible to be screened for cancer and assess the feasibility of using a small number of MCD tests. The Vanguard study will inform a larger randomized trial that will look at whether the benefits of using MCD tests outweigh the harms, and whether they can detect cancer early in a way that reduces cancer-related deaths.
