targeted translational rfa for rare tumor subtypes and exceptional responders-revised

Targeted  Translational  RFA  for  Rare  Tumor  Subtypes  and  Exceptional  Responders  

Request  for  Proposals  Deadline:    Monday,  June  1,  2015,  12  noon      Applications  are  requested  for  pilot  projects  that  seek  to  analyze  the  genomics,  transcriptomics,  with  or  without  additional  ‘omics’  on  available  human  tissue  or  other  cellular  material  such  as  circulating  tumor  cells.  Material  must  be  already  available,  i.e.  banked  or  readily  available,  i.e.  for  open  or  soon  to  be  open  protocols  that  allow  access  to  tissue  or  blood  samples  for  pilot  studies.    Rare  tumor  subtypes  includes  rare  tumors  as  well  as  comparative  studies  of  known  molecular  subtypes  within  more  common  tumors.  Detailed  analysis  of  molecular  subtypes  within  common  tumors  is  considered  responsive.  In  2015  there  may  not  be  such  a  thing  as  a  'common'  tumor  given  all  the  heterogeneity  even  within  molecular  subtypes  of  common  tumors  not  to  mention  the  intra-­‐tumoral  heterogeneity.  For  exceptional  responders,  common  or  rare  tumors  are  included,  and  novel  or  conventional  agents  would  apply  as  long  as  the  novelty  and  significance  are  clear.    The  ideal  application  will  state  a  relevant  clinical  question  of  significance  to  the  understanding  of  the  tumor  classification,  molecular  drivers,  or  mediators  of  response  or  resistance.  Other  questions  of  interest  include  analysis  of  intra-­‐  or  inter-­‐tumor  heterogeneity  as  well  as  familial  associations  where  cases  cluster  within  families  particularly  within  the  FCCC-­‐Temple  catchment  area.  A  clear  delineation  of  the  comparisons  to  be  made  along  with  expected  impact  of  the  project  in  terms  of  publications,  funding,  and/or  new  clinical  protocols  that  take  the  knowledge  to  the  next  level  (e.g.  proposing  patient  selection  based  on  molecular  features  in  the  context  of  therapeutic  clinical  protocols).    A  goal  of  the  RFA  is  to  encourage  interdisciplinary  collaboration  as  well  as  application  of  the  latest  genomic  capabilities  available  including  those  that  are  internal  to  FCCC  (targeted  sequencing,  nanostring,  CTC  isolation  and  analysis  strategies).  Applications  may  introduce  novel  directions  to  existing  open  or  closed  clinical  studies  where  human  samples  with  clinical  outcomes  are  available.    Available  Support:  Funds  available  will  support  actual  use  of  technology  and  any  costs  associated  with  sample  identification  or  analysis.  Funds  for  this  RFA  may  not  be  used  for  salary  support.  The  typical  award  will  be  in  the  range  of  25-­‐50K  and  will  be  judged  on  expected  return-­‐on-­‐investment  (ROI)  for  a  given  request  and  scope  of  work  that  can  have  impact.  5-­‐6  awards  are  expected  to  be  made.    Application  Deadline:    June  1,  2015  at  12:00  pm.    Eligible  Principal  Investigators  must  be  a  member  of  one  of  the  five  CCSG  Research  Programs  of  the  Fox  Chase  Cancer  Center.      

Submission  Guidelines:  Applications  need  an  abstract,  significance,  preliminary  information,  hypothesis,  goals/specific  aim/subaims,  feasibility  and  expected  impact  as  described  above.    Applications  must  not  exceed  five  (5)  pages,  including  the  above  sections  and  research  design,  but  excluding  references.    In  addition  provide  a  detailed  budget  page  (direct  costs  only,  no  salary  support  or  indirect  costs  allowed)  and  an  NIH  Biosketch  for  the  PI,  co-­‐PI(s)  and  Collaborators  that  includes  Other  Support  information.        Proposals  should  include  a  title  page  with  the  proposal  title,  PI,  Co-­‐PI(s)  (if  applicable),  and  Collaborators.    Review  Process  Applications  will  be  reviewed  by  the  end  of  June  with  awards  becoming  available  for  use  by  July  2015.    Please  direct  any  questions  to  Wafik  El-­‐Deiry  (wafik.eldeiry@fccc.edu).