# Methods Training for Comparative Effectiveness Research in Cancer

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2024 · $316,225

## Abstract

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) aims to inform healthcare decisions by providing evidence on the
benefits and harms of different alternatives in cancer care. While randomized controlled trials are often
considered to be the gold standard of research and have high internal validity due to their controlled
environment, they are often not generalizable to `real-world' populations. Clinical trials often exclude large
segments of the population, particularly those who are older or have comorbid conditions, threatening the
external validity of the findings. Furthermore, explanatory trials typically compare only two or three
interventions. As the number of cancer therapies and technologies increases exponentially, additional methods
are necessary to adequately compare benefits and harms across several different interventions. While the
emphasis in the past was on determining whether an intervention could work under the best conditions,
increasing importance is given to whether interventions also work in `real-world' settings, and how they
compare to other available alternatives. Real-world evidence and CER are vital to adequately evaluate and
position new health interventions and technologies as they emerge. Few training programs specifically address
CER methodologies. The overarching goal of this application is to implement a comprehensive national CER
training program for junior cancer investigators, encompassing the broad spectrum of healthcare delivery in
cancer care. Training will encompass three major CER methodologies: 1) Knowledge synthesis including
systematic reviews, meta-analysis, and decision analysis; 2) Observational studies and secondary data
analysis of registries and other sources of data, and 3) Pragmatic clinical trials, and. After first completing a
series of interactive online courses in these topics to acquire a strong knowledge base in CER, participants will
complete an intensive, hands-on training small group workshop in one or more of the three CER
methodologies. Each participant will develop an individual protocol for a CER study, for a research question of
their interest. Topics of interest can address any of the stages of care throughout the cancer continuum,
including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, supportive care, end-of-life care, and survivorship.
Program faculty will provide individual methods guidance and support to participants during the 12 months
after enrolling in the course. Participants will be junior investigators, recruited nationally, and affiliated with
academic institutions, cancer centers or non-profit organizations (junior faculty, research scientists or post-
doctoral or clinical fellows with an expectation of a research career path). Enrollment methods will include
engaging underrepresented minorities. This education program is designed to support the National Cancer
Institute's educational mission by arming cancer researchers with innovative tools needed to conduct CER.
Expanding ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10932944
- **Project number:** 5R25CA278726-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Maria E Suarez-Almazor
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $316,225
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-21 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10932944

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10932944, Methods Training for Comparative Effectiveness Research in Cancer (5R25CA278726-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10932944. Licensed CC0.

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