Background & Objectives
Comparative Effectiveness Research on Cancer in Texas (CERCIT) was established at UTMB in 2010 as a statewide resource for outcomes and comparative effectiveness research funded by The Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
The DMAC is committed to three primary objectives:
1. Improve Access to Data
We strive to efficiently manage and analyze complex datasets, leveraging a decade-long partnership with the Texas Cancer Registry and expanding our reach to encompass national survey data. By synergizing disparate information from sources like Medicare and Medicaid, we aim to unlock profound insights into cancer outcomes.
2. Research Community Expansion
Our commitment extends beyond data analysis to the cultivation of a vibrant research community. We aspire to recruit and train new investigators in Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) from at least 8 Texas academic and research institutions, prioritizing those from underrepresented backgrounds, thus contributing to the diversification and enrichment of cancer research.
3. Knowledge Dissemination
Through workshops, lectures, and pilot awards supporting critical phases of cancer care, the DMAC seeks to empower researchers with the skills and resources necessary to navigate the intricate landscape of cancer research, from screening and diagnosis to treatment, surveillance, and survivorship.
History & Impact
Since 2010, the Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) of CERCIT has worked closely with the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) to combine information from various large databases, like Medicare and Medicaid, for research purposes. Under the CPRIT-Core Facility Support Award, the goals of the DMAC have evolved to include connecting TCR databases with national surveys to improve research on patient outcomes. We also aim to train new researchers in comparative effectiveness research (CER) across Texas, especially those who are underrepresented.
Findings from CERCIT have been disseminated via more than 187 scientific publications. Most importantly, CERCIT has built the data infrastructure for cancer CER through a close partnership with the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) to link TCR data to Texas
Medicare and Medicaid files. Another significant contribution in the first cycle of CERCIT was to train 27 junior clinical investigators in CER in the trajectory of the cancer care continuum through didactic experiences, and structured multidisciplinary
mentoring in the Houston/Galveston area. In the current cycle, the training core focused on collecting patient-reported outcomes, through a collaboration with TCR.
