The Clinical Sciences Division of the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center enhances Northwestern's collaborative efforts in clinical and basic science cancer research.  Modeled after the National Cooperative Oncology Programs, the program is organized around disease sites and brings together key clinicians from a number of specialties. In addition to Northwestern's hematologists-oncologists, participants include specialists in bone marrow transplantation, surgical oncology, pathology, radiology, oncology nursing, psychosocial care and rehabilitation, and clinical pharmacology.

Disease Site specialty clinics promotes the full use of expertise available throughout the McGaw Medical Center, encourages participation in clinical research and educational activities, and brings clinicians and basic scientists together to assure excellence in patient care.

All members of the Division of Hematology/Oncology have nationally recognized positions as study participants and committee members of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), the largest of the clinical study groups funded by the NCI.  In 1997 Northwestern and its ECOG affiliates entered several hundred patients on group-wide and pilot therapeutic studies and on ancillary studies representing all cancer disease sites.  Clinicians at Northwestern also participate in studies conducted through the Community Clinical Oncology Program of the NCI, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, the Children's Oncology Group, Gynecologic Oncology Group, and several international studies.

The Division of Hematology/Oncology and the Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center jointly sponsor weekly grand rounds conferences and clinical research conferences that focus on methods and design of research studies.

Physician groups and institutions affiliated with Northwestern University through ECOG include:

• Edward H. Kaplan & Associates, Skokie Illinois
• Elmhust Memorial Hospital, Elmhurst, Illinois
• Evanston Northwestern Healthcare (Evanston and Glenbrook Hospitals)
• Hematology-Oncology Associates, S.C. (NMH physicians in private practice), Chicago
• Highland Park Hospital, Highland Park, Illinois
• Hinsdale Hematology-Oncology Associates, Hinsdale Hospital, Hinsdale, Illinois
• Ingalls Memorial Hospital, Harvey, Illinois
• Minnesota Community Oncology Program, Minneapolis
• Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee, Illinois
• St. Mary's Hospital, Kankakee, Illinois
• St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital Medical Center, Chicago
• Mercy Hospital, Chicago
• Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

The Clinical Research Office of the Cancer Center coordinates the management of special research projects including Phase I, II, and III studies; pilot studies; cancer control studies; biologic response modifier and tumor vaccine studies; and bone marrow transplantation studies.  The number of protocols conducted in-house or in cooperation with other institutions continues to grow.

Northwestern fellows have abundant opportunities to interact clinically with the CRO and participate in a wide array of clinical research programs.  Under the supervision of Medical School clinical faculty members, fellows are encouraged to write and conduct their own clinical trials.