# Cluster C: 9 Molecular Epidemiology Resource

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2020 · $71,518

## Abstract

The Molecular Epidemiology Resource (MER) is a new shared research resource offering 
HCCC investigators support for high quality disease-specific outcomes research. The MER 
offers meticulous collection of longitudinal clinical data and biologic specimens including serum, 
plasma and germline DNA, all linkable to tumor samples catalogued in coordination with the 
Tissue Procurement Core. 
The HCCC strategic planning effort identified the importance of a robust infrastructure that 
facilitates linking molecular and clinical outcomes data. The MER is a critical component of this 
new infrastructure. Because the cost of such an effort is significant, the MER has focused its 
efforts on disease-specific groups that have the necessary clinical and research strength to 
utilize the resulting data. Current disease-specific groups supported by the MER include 
lymphoma, melanoma and sarcoma, myeloma, and cancers of the breast, pancreas, and GU. 
The MER is a rigorous, prospective observational database linked to a biorepository. All newly 
diagnosed patients with appropriate histologies as selected by the investigators are approached 
about informed consent. Following enrollment, MER personnel abstract clinical information 
including tumor stage, histology, lab and imaging data, treatment modality, treatment response, 
events (progression, death) and comorbidities. In general, clinical information on each subject is 
updated 2x/year for 3 years, then annually. Psychosocial data including quality-of-life analyses 
are collected longitudinally. Serum, plasma, buffy coat and peripheral blood DNA (at diagnosis 
and selected longitudinal time points) are collected, as is excess surgical tissue (tumor and 
normal) from resections and biopsies in collaboration with the Tissue Procurement Core. The 
clinical data are periodically validated to enable their readiness for analysis without investigators 
needing to return to the medical record. 
Over 5,000 subjects have been enrolled in the MER to date. In 2014, 35 investigators, of whom 
26 were HCCC members were asking cancer questions in collaboration with HCCC members, 
utilized MER materials. Users came from each of the HCCC's four scientific programs. Data, 
biospecimens or both have been shared with 5 other NCI-designated cancer centers in the past 
year.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9914250
- **Project number:** 5P30CA086862-20
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** Carlos HF Chan
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $71,518
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9914250

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9914250, Cluster C: 9 Molecular Epidemiology Resource (5P30CA086862-20). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9914250. Licensed CC0.

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