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The Cancer Intervention and Surveillance Modeling Network (CISNET) is a consortium of NCI-sponsored investigators whose focus is to use modeling to improve our understanding of the impact of cancer control interventions (e.g., prevention, screening treatment) on population trends in incidence and mortality. These models are also used to project future trends, and to help determine optimal cancer control strategies.
One strength of having a consortium of modelers is the ability to employ a comparative modeling approach. While
each modeler has areas of individual focus, whenever possible, a common "base" question is developed that allows
for comparison across models. In these common "base" case collaborations, a set of common population inputs
is used across all models (e.g., dissemination patterns of screening and treatment, mortality from non-cancer
causes), and a common set of intermediate and final outputs is developed to help understand differences and
similarities across models. There are currently collaborative projects of these base
cases for all four cancer sites.
In addition, the CISNET collaborative group has developed a state-of-the-art interactive Web site, called the Model Profiler, which allows modelers to put components of their models into templates to facilitate comparisons of model structure.
CISNET was originally funded as a cooperative agreement (U01) in
September 2000 under CA-99-013 and
focused on breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers. A second round, funded under CA-02-010 in
August 2002, added lung cancer as well as additional grantees for prostate and
colorectal cancer. A third issuance, RFA-CA-05-018,
represented a first opportunity for applicants funded under earlier solicitations to get
refunded, but was open to new applicants as well. This RFA also
solicited applications for cancer site-specific coordinating centers
which would coordinate: common analyses, outside requests for
modeling, group requests for data resources, synthesis papers, etc.
Currently there are 15 funded grants, (3 prostate, 3 breast, 4
colorectal -- including a coordinating center, and 5 lung).
Investigators working on population modeling of cancer trends, who wish
to be associated with the CISNET group but who are not funded by the
CISNET U01 mechanism, may apply for affiliate status. Affiliates attend
meetings, share results, and participate in "base" case collaborations
if applicable.
A joint meeting of all four cancer sites groups is held once a year (usually in November), and site-specific meetings are held in the Spring. Part of the joint meeting is devoted to a methodology session, where statistical, computing, and other modeling issues cutting across cancer sites are discussed.
CISNET investigators will consider providing assistance for external inquiries judged to be important and amenable to modeling (see Contact Us).
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