Plymouth Meeting, Pa. – September 17, 2026 -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Oncology Research Program has awarded funding for four quality improvement projects targeting metastatic prostate cancer (mPCA) care, backed by Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG).
Four institutions receive two-year grants to standardize mPCA treatment protocols
The selected projects, each set for completion within two years, will run at UT Southwestern Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University, Northwestern University's Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Moffitt Cancer Center. Changchuan (Charles) Jiang, MD, at UT Southwestern will lead a biomarker action-loop initiative within a major U.S. safety-net cancer program. Paul Leger, MD, at Georgetown will implement multilevel interventions across the Medstar Health Network under the I-CARE PCA project.
Michael Liu, MD, MPH, at Northwestern's Lurie Cancer Center will target polypharmacy burden and treatment tolerability through the PROMIS-Rx initiative. Kosj Yamoah, MD, PhD, at Moffitt Cancer Center will develop a closed-loop quality improvement pathway for germline, somatic, and reflex ctDNA testing tied to bone radiotherapy timing in prostate cancer bone metastasis patients.
Treatment gaps stem from access disparities, inconsistent care delivery and limited trial participation
NCCN identified four interconnected drivers behind incomplete treatment for eligible mPCA patients: healthcare access disparities tied to geography, insurance, and infrastructure; variability in clinical practices across institutions; insufficient psychosocial, financial, and logistical patient support; and inequitable access to clinical trials that blocks eligible patients from newer therapies.
The four projects aim to standardize testing and diagnostic practices, improve equitable access to evidence-based care, strengthen clinical decision-making through scalable strategies, and expand clinical trial participation.
Scientific Review Committee of NCCN Member Institution oncologists selected the awardees
A Scientific Review Committee composed of peer experts, including oncologists from NCCN Member Institutions, evaluated submitted proposals before selecting the four funded projects. "We are committed to developing projects that are not only impactful but also scalable and sustainable for long-term benefit,