Laboratory and clinical scientists work collaboratively in planning, designing and implementing research programs that impact on cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment and control. To facilitate this research, each SPORE develops and maintains specialized resources that benefit all scientists working on the specific cancer site, as well as SPORE scientists. An additional SPORE element is a career development program that recruits scientists both within and outside the SPORE institution to enlarge the cadre of laboratory and clinical scientists dedicated to translational research on human cancer. SPOREs meet annually to share data, assess research progress, identify new research opportunities and establish priorities for research most likely to reduce incidence and mortality and to increase survival.
In 1993, NCI funded a total of 22 SPOREs for $19,615,000, of which 9 were for breast cancer, 2 for gastrointestinal (colorectal and pancreatic cancer), 4 for lung cancer and 7 for prostate cancer research and an additional $1,850,000 for brain tumor research and cofunded grants. SPOREs are funded through both the P50 and P20 mechanisms. Nine institutions received full support as P50 SPOREs. Thirteen P20s were awarded to institutions to conduct feasibility studies to determine whether they would qualify to become fully funded SPORE institutions. In the upcoming years, NCI may increase the use of the SPORE mechanism to include funding for other major cancer sites.
SPORE awards in 1993 by cancer site:
Site
Type
Number of Awards
Amount of Funding
Breast
P50
4
$7,811,000
P20
5
658,000
Gastrointestinal
Total Breast
P50
P20
9
1
1
8,469,000
1,484,000
200,000
Lung
Total Gastrointestinal
P50
2
2
1,684,000
4,023,000
P20
2
412,000
Total Lung
4
4,435,000
Prostate
P50
2
4,394,000
P20
5
633,000
Total Prostate
7
5,027,000
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