2022 WOO Network - Call for Concepts
The OICR Window-of-Opportunity Network is pleased to release its 2022 Call for Concepts. Details, concept application form, and important deadlines can be found at oicr.on.ca/woo-trial-call-for-concepts.
Background:
The WOO Network was formed in 2020 and is co-led by Drs. Angel Arnaout (The Ottawa Hospital) and Melanie Spears (OICR) to propel a clinical-translational research program where novel therapies are quickly tested in cancer patients prior to surgery. The Network provides prioritized WOO studies with trial development support, funding, translational analysis, and knowledge dissemination. The WOO Network also builds study capacity through mentoring of new investigators, industry partnerships, patient engagement, data analysis and sharing network expertise.
Concept focus:
The initial scientific focus of the Network is immunomodulation, to understand the biology of how therapeutics can elicit an immune response and alter the immune environment in tumours. This is critical to make immunotherapy more effective, less toxic, and more durable. Please refer to the Portfolio Concept Call [PDF] for more detail.
Evaluation criteria:
Applications will be accepted from oncology researchers affiliated with not-for-profit research organizations in Ontario. Concepts will be evaluated based on the following key criteria of WOO Network trials:
- pre-surgical design
- small, multi-centre, with less than 100 patients
- focus on immunomodulation with identification of novel biomarkers of immune response
- demonstrated drug safety profile
- highly engaged Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators, including surgeons and oncologists
- embedded patient partnership
- feasibility for patient accrual completed within two years, with ethics approval, study start-up and first patient accrued within the first two quarters after funding approval
Funding available:
Up to $450,000 total per trial, over two years.
Key dates:
- Concept deadline: February 7, 2022, 12 p.m. EST
- Concept presentation: March 29, 2022, during Network Meeting (10 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST)
- Full application deadline: May 16, 2022, 12 p.m. EST