Biostatistics, Analytical Support, and Evaluation Shared Resource (BASE SR)

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

BIOSTATISTICS, ANALYTICAL SUPPORT AND EVALUATION (BASE) SHARED RESOURCE ABSTRACT The main objective of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) Biostatistics, Analytical Support and Evaluation (BASE) Shared Resource (SR) is to provide comprehensive and high-quality biostatistics support for JCCC members’ cancer research. This objective is achieved through three Specific Aims: (1) To provide comprehensive biostatistics support for JCCC investigators in basic, translational, clinical, and population science cancer research; (2) To provide statistics support for the scientific review, implementation, conduct, and monitoring of oncology trials through standing participation on the JCCC Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC, locally known as the Internal Scientific Peer Review Committee (ISPRC)) and Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB); and (3) To provide education and training for the next generation of biostatisticians and researchers in cancer research. JCCC members have priority access to BASE SR services, which include, but are not limited to, statistical support for study design, grant applications, data analysis, interpretation of study results, and manuscript preparation. BASE SR also provides essential support for the JCCC ISPRC through rigorous statistical review of JCCC clinical trials protocols and underpins the JCCC DSMB by providing statistical support for the implementation, conduct, and monitoring of JCCC investigator initiated clinical trials. Of note, BASE SR also develops novel statistical methodologies and analytical tools that are responsive to the needs of JCCC researchers and their projects, as discussed in several scientific examples. JCCC oversees BASE SR operations through regular meetings and reporting to JCCC Associate Director for SRs Zoran Galic, PhD (TII). Monthly meetings with Galic and participation in a monthly SR Directors Meeting facilitate bidirectional communications. BASE SR is guided by a four-member Faculty Advisory Committee (FAC) that meets annually. BASE SR actively engages in JCCC activities, including user surveys, annual retreats and symposia, Annual SRs Day, program meetings, and External Advisory Board reviews. This multifaceted approach ensures that BASE SR remains responsive to evolving JCCC researchers’ needs. From 2019 – 2023, 97 JCCC members from all six JCCC Research Programs used BASE SR services, which supported 217 publications, 33% of which were in high impact (IF ≥10) journals. JCCC members account for 80% of total BASE SR usage, and 89% of JCCC member usage was by peer-review funded investigators. BASE SR assists JCCC members with cancer grant applications, which helped secure $51.2M in extramural funding for cancer research. In addition, BASE SR supported 55 cancer clinical trials, with 13 still ongoing. These efforts highlight the pivotal role and essential contribution of BASE SR in advancing current 2019 – 2023 and next period 2024 – 2028 JCCC Strategic Plans and the Center mission to accelerate discoveries to prevent and cure cancer.