Medical Oncology Clinical Research Unit
Medical oncology research efforts in the Center for Cancer Research reside in multiple Branches and Laboratories. MOCRU is an administrative clinical organization that spans across these organizational boundaries. It has three primary areas of responsibility: (1) clinical research; (2) clinical care; and (3) clinical training.

Molecular Targets Drug Discovery Program
The Molecular Targets Drug Discovery Program (MTDDP) was established as a resource to provide leadership and infrastructure for applied research supporting the translation of basic science advances into new tools, reagents, and leads for molecular target evaluation, drug discovery and development. It also provides research support for CCR initiatives focused on specific molecular targets, pathways or processes.

Molecular Therapeutics Program
The Intramural Research Program’s Molecular Targets Faculty announces the establishment of the Molecular Therapeutics Program (MTP), headed by Dr. Patricia Steeg. The goal of the MTP is to facilitate the critical drug development process at the NCI.

Cancer Prevention Working Group
The Cancer Prevention Working Group provides intellectual focus and development of a chemoprevention program at the NCI. The effort is highly interactive with the Molecular Targets and Mouse Models programs.

Clinical Translation Advisory Group
The Clinical Translation Advisory Group (CTAG) serves as a resource for basic and clinical investigators seeking guidance at any point in the process of bringing a potential therapeutic from the bench to the clinic.

Translational Research Initiative
The Translational Research Initiative (TRI) seeks to: 1) promote scientific collaborations among CCR's basic and clinical investigators, 2) provide assistance to investigators seeking rapid clinical translation of novel basic/preclinical observations, and 3) help connect clinical scientists with the appropriate basic science and/or technologic expertise required to investigate novel cellular, molecular, histopathologic, and imaging endpoints in conjunction with NCI-CCR clinical trials.

Tumor Repository Working Group
The CCR is establishing a tumor repository under the direction of the Laboratory of Pathology. Dr. Elise Kohn will lead the effort to establish a tissue bank for CCR investigators.

Imaging Working Group
The CCR is establishing a Diagnostic and Molecular Oncology Imaging program to address two major areas: (1) partnering with the Clinical Center to address the increasing clinical imaging needs of the NCI, and (2) long-range planning to access advanced imaging technologies, including experimental technologies and animal imaging.