PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA — The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) Oncology Research Program has announced new funding aimed at improving treatment and care delivery for people living with metastatic, or stage four, breast cancer, an area where outcomes can vary widely based on access and quality of care.
Six grants have been awarded to support quality improvement projects focused on strengthening how care is delivered and how healthcare providers perform when treating patients with metastatic breast cancer. The initiative is funded through a quality improvement grant from Pfizer External Research & Grants.
Metastatic breast cancer remains a significant challenge in oncology. About 10% of patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease at the outset, and nearly 30% of those initially diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer later develop metastatic disease. Survival rates differ depending on tumor biology, response to treatment, and whether patients receive guideline-based, high-quality care.
NCCN said the newly funded projects are designed to address those gaps by improving clinical workflows, decision-making, patient navigation, and supportive services, with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.
“Treatment options for breast cancer, including metastatic breast cancer, are constantly evolving,” said Crystal S. Denlinger, MD, chief executive officer of NCCN. She said the projects focus on ensuring patients benefit from evidence-based care and expert consensus, regardless of where they receive treatment.
The selected projects span a wide range of approaches, including improving advance care planning, enhancing shared decision-making through technology, optimizing evidence-based care for bone metastases, strengthening treatment adherence through financial and community support, and expanding training for providers on sexual health in metastatic breast cancer care.
Grant recipients include researchers and clinicians from institutions such as Georgetown University, the University of Washington School of Medicine and Fred Hutch Cancer Center, the University of Kansas School of Nursing, and the National Consortium of Breast Centers, along with patient-focused organizations.
All proposals were peer reviewed by a scientific review committee made up of experts and oncologists from NCCN Member Institutions. The projects are expected to be completed within two years.
NCCN said the funding reflects a growing emphasis on not just developing new therapies, but also improving how existing treatments and supportive care are delivered to patients facing advanced cancer.
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