| Institute for Research & Innovation |
Northwest Community Clinical Oncology Program
The Northwest Community Clinical Oncology Program (NWCCOP) began in 1982 with initial grant funding through the National Cancer Institute (NCI). MultiCare Health System is the research base and coordinating center for the NWCCOP.
Research coordinators enroll patients on clinical trials within the MultiCare Regional Cancer Program. In addition to enrolling new patients on clinical trials, the NWCCOP collects long-term follow-up data on patients after their study treatments. Of significant note, we have many patients who survive up to 20 years or more after being treated on a clinical trial.
With nearly three decades of continuous funding, the NWCCOP is recognized as one of the more successful community clinical oncology programs in the United States. It is made up of a consortium of 12 hospitals and more than 50 physicians from King County, Southwest Washington, Portland, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. At any given time, there are on average 50 cancer research studies open and available to cancer patients throughout the Northwest.
Most all of the oncologists in Pierce County participate in the NWCCOP program. Institutions and oncology practices participating in the CCOP program include:
- MultiCare Health System
- Northwest Medical Specialties
- Rainier Oncology
- Western Washington Oncology
- Capital Oncology
- Overlake Cancer Center
- Providence Everett Cancer Care Partnership
- Kaiser Permanent, Portland, Ore.
- St. Alphonsus, Boise, Idaho
The NWCCOP coordinates clinical trials that are available through NCI-funded research bases including:
- SWOG (Southwest Oncology Group)
- NSABP (National Surgical Breast and Bowel Project)
- RTOG (Radiation Therapy Oncology Group)
- GOG (Gynecologic Oncology Group)
- URCC (University of Rochester Cancer Center)
- MDACC (MD Anderson Cancer Center)
- Moffitt Cancer Center
- CTSU (Cancer Therapy and Surveillance Unit)