Supported Research Areas

The Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis (DCTD) takes prospective detection and treatment leads, facilitates their paths to clinical application, and expedites the initial and subsequent large-scale testing of new agents, biomarkers, imaging tests, and other therapeutic interventions (radiation, surgery, immunotherapy) in patients.

Biobanking and Biospecimen Research
DCTD provides information on resources and educational materials related to biobanking and biospecimen research including ethical considerations to protect patient privacy, best practices, and the ethical, legal, and social implications related to biobanking and biospecimen research.
Cancer Diagnosis Research
DCTD supports research that studies the detection and assessment of cancer to improve the accuracy and speed of cancer diagnosis, response to treatment, and recurrence. We provide information on diagnostic and research development resources, NCI’s precision medicine clinical trials, and molecular diagnostics.
Clinical Proteogenomics
DCTD embraces this innovative field that integrates proteomics, genomics, and transcriptomics to provide a comprehensive understanding of cancer biology. DCTD is enhancing cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prevention through proteogenomics research involving several cancer research networks.
Clinical Trials
DCTD works to advance precision medicine oncology, modernize clinical trials, be effective stewards of NCI-supported clinical trials, and support three clinical trials networks that focus on early or late-phase clinical trials.
Comparative Oncology
DCTD supports canine clinical trials and collection and sharing of canine genomic, proteomic, imaging, clinical trial, biomarker, population study, cancer model, and immuno-oncology data. This commitment to studying pet dogs with naturally occurring cancer can provide valuable information for the development of future treatments for people, as both share remarkably similar underlying biology.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine
DCTD supports complementary and alternative medicine research aiming to identify novel therapeutics to treat cancer, improve therapeutic ratio of standard and investigational anticancer agents, and understand lifestyle modifications and their impact on cancer outcomes.
Imaging
DCTD spurs imaging research including areas focused on advancing imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis and detection for many cancers. Researchers also have access to publicly available imaging data and IND regulatory and manufacturing resources.
Nanotechnology
DCTD promotes research of established and emerging nanotechnology methods aimed at advancing cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. A DCTD-supported laboratory works on approved preclinical projects submitted by external investigators to evaluate the promising nanotech therapies and diagnostics they are developing.
Radiation Research
DCTD provides research support for the broad range of areas spanning the radiation sciences, including a radiation oncology-biology network, as well as information on radiation research through Interest Groups.