NCI Alliance Program
To capitalize on the promise of nanotechnology in cancer, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer in September 2004. The Alliance, built on a strong foundation of science and scientific accomplishment, is a comprehensive, systematized initiative encompassing the public and private sectors. The Alliance is designed to accelerate the application of nanotechnology to the major challenges in clinical oncology and basic cancer research. Visit the
NCI Alliance Website to learn more.
Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships are tightly focused programs designed to develop the technologies to underpin new products in six key programmatic areas: molecular imaging and early detection, in vivo imaging, reporters of efficacy (e.g., real-time assessment of treatment), multifunctional therapeutics, prevention and control, and research enablers (opening new pathways for research). These 12, 5-year R01 awards were announced in October 2005. The first-year funding on these awards totals $7 million.
The Alliance has four major components:
- Centers of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs) will fund eight hubs over 5 years to develop and apply nanotechnology and nanoscience solutions to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. These awards were announced on October 3, 2005. Funding for the first year of the CCNEs will total $26.3 million. The CCNEs are a major component of the NCI's $144.3 million 5-year initiative for nanotechnology in cancer research.
- Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships are tightly focused programs designed to develop the technologies to underpin new products in six key programmatic areas: molecular imaging and early detection, in vivo imaging, reporters of efficacy (e.g., real-time assessment of treatment), multifunctional therapeutics, prevention and control, and research enablers (opening new pathways for research). These 12, 5-year R01 awards will be announced in October 2005. The first-year funding on these awards will total $7 million.
- The Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), (ncl.cancer.gov), established at the NCI's Frederick, Maryland, facility in 2004, performs analytical tests to guide the research community; support regulatory decisions; and help identify and monitor environmental, health, and safety ramifications of nanotech applications. The NCL recently completed its first year of operation and is actively characterizing nanoparticles for academic and commercial researchers through a rigorous set of analytical protocols. The NCL works closely with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- Multidisciplinary research training and team development is a major focus of the Alliance because the application of nanotechnology to cancer challenges requires teams of scientists with knowledge and understanding that crosses disciplines, particularly in the biological and physical sciences. The Alliance will support training and career development initiatives to establish integrated teams of cancer researchers. The Alliance will provide this training support through existing and new mechanisms. For example, the Alliance will provide training funds through the NIH National Research Service Awards for Senior Fellows and the NIH National Research Service Awards for Postdoctoral Fellows. In addition, in September 2005, through the NCI's collaboration with the National Science Foundation (NSF), $12.8 million in new grants were awarded to four institutions over the next 5 years for U.S. science and engineering doctoral students to focus on interdisciplinary nanoscience and technology research with applications to cancer (see NCI-NSF press release, September 21, 2005).