Open AccessFive Steps for Structural Reform in Clinical Cancer Research
Author(s) -
Alastair Matheson
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2009.168633
Subject(s) - government (linguistics) , business , intervention (counseling) , clinical research , medicine , economic interventionism , government regulation , political science , cancer , public relations , nursing , politics , pathology , philosophy , linguistics , china , law
Despite advances in the prevention and early detection of cancer and the treatment of some malignancies, clinical research has not yet delivered treatment benefits of the magnitude anticipated after the launch of imatinib, which established highly effective new treatment standards. The primary impediments to progress are scientific, but the efficiency of research is also affected by structural deficiencies relating to where and by whom it is conducted, as well as how it is organized and regulated. To optimize the research environment and maximize the benefits of improved funding, adjustments in the roles of government, industry, the academic community, national research bodies, and regulatory authorities are needed. A patchwork of reforms that are enabling in character and build on existing expertise can deliver substantial progress without the need for radical intervention.