The RCIC greatly enhances the capability of DF/HCC members to undertake translational, population, and clinical research by providing experienced staff to perform common research tasks. The RCIC is a time and cost saving resource for many investigators, even when rapidity of patient identification is not at issue.

Utilization of the core has the potential to shorten the data collection phase of a study by eliminating the need for individual investigators to recruit, hire, and train research assistants to perform this task. It provides a substantial economy of scale to investigators and facilitates the incorporation of pathology specimens as part of translational research.

The RCIC allows investigators to:

• Gain from the continuity of staff in functional areas that traditionally experience high turnover
• Capitalize on established relationships with IRB’s and pathology and health information/medical record departments throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
• Obtain clinical data to annotate tissue samples located utilizing the Pathology Specimen Locator Core or through other means.
• Locate and retrieve slide and block material from DF/HCC and other hospitals throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
• Determine potential accrual and study feasibility utilizing hospital, regional, and state cancer data.
• Obtain information regarding diverse populations at the hospital, regional, and state level.
• Identify population controls in a cost effective manner.
• Expand your research base by collaborating with other investigators throughout North America through the Rapid Case Ascertainment Network of the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries.

Case-control studies: Case control studies are particularly useful in identifying risk factors for relatively rare cancers. Our experience working with hospitals in the greater Boston area can provide a substantial population-base for case ascertainment. We have worked on several studies with the rapid case unit for the state of Connecticut based at Yale University and are part of a large network of rapid case units throughout the country.

Case-case studies: Case-case studies provide a valid and efficient opportunity to evaluate whether there is heterogeneity of risk factors or outcomes between sub-groups of patients. Examples of sub-groups that can be contrasted include molecular or histologic sub-groups; gender, age, race or state at diagnosis; length of survival or quality of life. Case-case studies are particularly useful for determining gene-environment interactions. For some malignancies, case-case studies can be conducted over the spectrum of cancer development to identify risk factors for progression, by comparing patients with normal pathology, pre-cancerous conditions, and malignant stage. The pathology specimens can be interrogated for molecular factors or changes that serve as risk factors/indicators for progression. Medical record or interview data can likewise be evaluated.

Patient cohorts: Retrospective population-based cohorts diagnosed over a defined period of time can be identified for research concerning a variety of questions. These might include adaptation of optimum care patterns in different populations, the effect of screening, and risk of secondary malignancies.

Clinical research: The RCIC can facilitate a range of clinical research studies. These include the identification of patients eligible for therapeutic or behavioral intervention trials to prospective observational studies on quality of life and survival.