Without the SPORE Programs:

Millions of taxpayer's dollars have already been invested in the SPORE program. To maximize that investment, we are requesting that the productive existing SPOREs be continued until a NCI SPORE Parent Committee is appointed to review the science and success of the SPORES in relationship to each other. This will maintain the momentum of the NCI SPORE program. Currently, many active collaborations are in danger of being compromised, including:

--New biomarkers for cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment, and recurrences. (Example: sharing of tissue specimens to validate the scientific research before clinical trials can be conducted).

--Innovative studies to test new research directions. (Example: “I Spy” trial compares biomarkers and imaging with treatment response for patients with breast cancer.)

--Shared databases and preserved tissue specimens from cancer patients. (Examples: Identifying and testing new risk factors and classifying cancer tissue specimens to permit easier access for research projects).

--Multi-institutional early phase clinical trials. (Example: Multiple institutions pooling smaller patient populations to complete important clinical trials in a timely fashion).

--Possible lose of promising projects. Institutions that lose SPORE funding will try to utilize other funding sources such as the pharmaceutical industry for productive projects and the following will occur:

(1) Loss of intellectual property rights

(2) Loss of data sharing

(3) Industry capitalizes on public investments…again.

The SPOREs utilize knowledge gained through NCI funding to maximize the return on investment for all cancers. Many discoveries and translational tools developed in a specific cancer, such as breast cancer, can be used in translational re search involving other cancers, such as prostate cancer.

In conclusion, if productive existing SPOREs are not maintained and allowed to complete their mission of translating basic laboratory science to the clinic, the American public will lose an important return on their tax dollar investment as ongoing translational research is shifted to other funding sources, such as industry. DO NOT let this happen! Contact your Congressmen today and ask them to keep the productive existing SPOREs intact until a NCI SPORE Parent Committee can evaluate them, thereby, protecting the excellent translational research in the productive existing SPOREs.

DO NOT DELAY! Call, Fax, Write and E-mail your Congressmen immediately and ask that the productive existing SPOREs be saved for the best interest of the public and, most importantly, for cancer patients. The return on taxpayer dollars already invested in SPOREs should be maximized by permitting the continuation of ongoing translational research, clinical trials, and nation-wide collaborations for the best interest of all citizens with cancer!

With everyone's help (your family, friends, co-workers, etc.), we can make a difference in cancer risk, prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. Let's take this critical step together.

Your Congressional Representative can be found on the following web site: www.congress.org .

Thank you for your positive efforts to preserve the productive existing SPOREs and their

ongoing research, which is finding a cure for cancer!