NCI Looking to Increase the Availability of Investigational Immunotherapeutic Drugs

June 22, 2006 – The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is compiling a list of agents with substantial potential as immunotherapeutic drugs. The subsequent next step will be to convene an NCI-sponsored workshop to develop a priority ranking of the agents on the list, based on submitted evidence of potential for use in cancer therapy. Development of a well-vetted priority ranking based on the likelihood for efficacy in cancer therapy will facilitate subsequent NCI discussions to address the availability of clinical grade immunotherapeutic drugs for human trials. The NCI strongly encourages investigators to provide suggestions and rationales through an online form.