Cancer Focus, Collaborative and Translational Research Support

The majority of the services provided by the MSS are relevant to cancer research. The MSS has continued to make significant progress in supporting the research activities of the Cancer Center. It has provided statistical support for virtually all areas of the Center's research activities that require statistical expertise.

During the past 12 months (3/01/03 to 2/29/04), 188 investigators (including pre-and post-doctoral fellows) from 38 academic departments/divisions representing 8 schools at UAB sought statistical consultation and services from the MSS. During the same period, the MSS supported 87 peer-reviewed grants and contracts , and 6 non-peer reviewed grants and contracts.

Study Design and Research Proposal Development

The MSS actively participated in the study design and development of 49 new research proposals in the past year. The MSS biostatisticians have been actively involved in the Cancer Center's protocol review and monitoring systems, and reviewed and critiqued 131 cancer-related clinical protocols (each was reviewed by two biostatisticians), reviewed 57 active protocols for accrual progress and participated in auditing several ongoing studies in conjunction with the Center’s protocol review and monitoring system during the past 12 months.

The MSS biostatisticians are integral members of the Clinical Studies Review Committee and various disease-oriented working groups, and actively participated in planning and analysis of clinical protocols.

Clinical Research Database Management

The MSS manages a large number of ongoing research databases and has continued to serve as the statistical center for 3 major NIH sponsored multi-institutional clinical trials groups: the Collaborative Antiviral Study Group (65 participating institutions); the AIDS-Associated Malignancies Clinical Trial Consortium (13 participating institutions) and the clinical trial group for Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urologic Symptom (CAMUS).