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• CCOPs refunded
• SELECT & PCPT specimen access
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Research proposals for SELECT and PCPT biospecimens requested

Researchers both within and outside of SWOG interested in working with the treasure trove of biospecimens and associated clinical data from two of the largest cancer prevention trials ever undertaken can now apply for access to these resources.

The proposal request for research projects involving SWOG PCPT and SELECT biorepository resources is available online, posted along with other pertinent material at swog.org/select and swog.org/pcpt.

The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, or PCPT, was a SWOG-coordinated study designed to test whether the drug finasteride (Proscar®) would prevent prostate cancer in men ages 55 and older. A total of 18,882 men gave informed consent for trial participation and use of biospecimens for research purposes. The results of the study, which did suggest a preventive benefit for the drug, were published as "The Influence of Finasteride on the Development of Prostate Cancer," in the New England Journal of Medicine on July 17, 2003.

The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, or SELECT, was the largest cancer prevention trial ever undertaken, a phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4-arm study of selenium, vitamin E, selenium and vitamin E together, and placebo designed to assess the effect of these supplements on the incidence of prostate cancer. Funded by the National Cancer Institute and conducted by SWOG, the study opened in August 2001 and quickly exceeded its accrual goal of 35,533 men. In the fall of 2008, the trial's Data and Safety Monitoring Committee recommended that participants discontinue taking study supplements based on an interim finding of no preventive benefit.

The specimens available are delineated in great detail at swog.org/select and swog.org/pcpt.

For researchers who would like to submit a proposal for a project that will use PCPT or SELECT biospecimens, a Letter of Intent is due on Monday, November 29, 2010. The full application will be due on Monday, January 10, 2011. The full RFA and the online application form are also available at swog.org/select or swog.org/pcpt.