Relationship to the Cancer Center

The UABCCC is an NCI designated comprehensive cancer center and possesses a NCI P30 cancer center support grant (2 P30 CA013148-33). The relationship between the UAB Breast SPORE and the UABCCC is described below:

•  The P.I. and co-P.I. of the UAB Breast SPORE are both formally recognized as senior leaders in the UABCCC. Neither are cancer center directors. Dr. K. I. Bland (P.I.) is Deputy Director of the UABCCC.

•  In the UABCCC, the lines of authority clearly indicate that the UAB Breast SPORE is an integral part of the cancer center and does not interfere with the P30 chain of authority. A letter, which delineates the organizational relationships, is provided. This letter is signed by the Acting Director of the UABCCC (Dr. P. Emanuel).

•  The UAB Breast SPORE interacts synergistically with existing programs at the UABCCC to maximize both UAB Breast SPORE and UABCCC objectives. In addition, there is a distinct UABCCC institutional commitment to the UAB Breast SPORE that is to be maintained throughout the term of the SPORE, which is affirmed in a letter signed by the UABCCC Acting Director (Dr. P. Emanuel).

•  The UAB Breast SPORE cores do not duplicate any facility currently in place and supported by other granting mechanisms at UAB or the UABCCC. The UAB Breast SPORE uses SPORE funds to augment pre-existing UABCCC resources to more effectively fulfill the requirements of the SPORE. As required by NCI SPORE guidelines, the UAB Breast SPORE Tissue Resources / Immunopathology / Molecular Assays Core is designed to prioritize the needs of SPORE investigators over those of other investigators. Finally, the UAB Breast SPORE, as required by NCI SPORE Guidelines, utilizes the Data and Safety Monitoring Board, as well as other clinical resources available through the UABCCC.

1. Cancer Center Role of the Principal Investigator of the UAB SPORE in Breast Cancer. The UAB Breast SPORE P.I., Dr. K. I. Bland, is the Deputy Director of the UABCCC, serves on the Scientific Advisory Board, and is a Senior Scientist of the center.

2. UAB SPORE in Breast Cancer and Cancer Center Resources Do Not Overlap. The resources of the UAB Breast SPORE do not duplicate resources in the UABCCC support grant ( 2 P30 CA013148-33) . However, the UAB Breast SPORE interacts synergistically and effectively with several existing cancer research programs, since a major aim of the UABCCC effort is translational research. The core resources requested for the UAB Breast SPORE do not duplicate core resources in the UABCCC. The scientific and administrative structure of the UAB Breast SPORE is separate and distinct from that of the Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG). Dr. P. Emanuel is the principal investigator for the CCSG and Acting Director of the UABCCC. Dr. K.I. Bland, as P.I. of the UAB Breast SPORE, is responsible for achievement of the SPORE scientific objectives, administration of SPORE funds, and oversight of the SPORE cores. His administrative appointments as Chairman of Surgery and Deputy Director of the UABCCC facilitate accomplishment of these responsibilities.

The UABCCC support grant (2 P30 CA013148-33) provides support for 15 shared resources, which are available to members with peer-reviewed grant support. The cores requested by the UAB Breast SPORE do not duplicate UABCCC resources. The UAB Breast SPORE is responsible for all collection and banking of breast cancer tissues (and normal breast tissues) for UAB and UABCCC. Shared resources and services of the UABCCC interact synergistically with the UAB Breast SPORE by providing additional services that contribute to SPORE projects. In addition, UAB Breast SPORE investigators contribute to the functioning of these facilities. The UABCCC shared resources, their directors, and usage by UAB SPORE members is shown in the following table. 

Table Shared Facilities of the UABCCC

* UAB Breast SPORE investigators

3. UAB SPORE in Breast Cancer and Cancer Center Resources are Complementary. The UABCCC is an NCI comprehensive cancer center and possesses an NCI P30 cancer center support grant (2 P30 CA013148-33) . The UABCCC fulfills the NCI SPORE guidelines regarding UAB Breast SPORE relationships with the UABCCC and its shared facilities. The cores proposed for the UAB Breast SPORE do not duplicate resources in the P30 grant, but extends the resources in an efficient and cost effective manner that is highly support of the SPORE.