The oncology research program of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has announced plans to broaden the availability of its shared resource databaseto all cancer centers in the United States.

The database currently includes more than 240 resources, such as animal models, complex technologies, human tissue specimens, instrumentation facilities, specialized databases, and many other specialty research items. For the past 2 years, it has been available exclusively to NCCN’s 27 member institutions.

Robert W. Carlson, MD, National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Robert W. Carlson, MD, National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

“When we work together, we can discover better methods for treating and preventing cancer much more efficiently,” says Robert W. Carlson, MD, chief executive at NCCN. “NCCN recognizes the importance of access to shared resources in order to advance scientific progress. By making this resource database available to investigators across the country free of charge, we improve our collective ability to conduct crucial cancer research.”

“By compiling information about all of these various cancer resources in one place, we’re saving valuable time that could be spent doing research,” adds Susan Most, RN, MBA, director of clinical operations for the oncology research program. “In the past, researchers had to visit each institution’s website individually, to see which items might be available. Now, with our shared resource database, they only need to look in one place for whatever they need. Plus, they can search by name, location, or keyword.”

The online database is located at www.nccn.org/sharedresource and requires free registration. NCCN curates every entry to ensure it contains up-to-date contact information for each item. Researchers are welcome to use the database both as a source for outside resources, and as a tool for sharing their own.

“Opening up this database to everyone really underscores our commitment to furthering quality cancer research,” says Carlson. “As an evidence-based organization responsible for the most frequently updated medical guidelines, we rely on research results when making recommendations for cancer care.”