Georgia Blood Cancer Trials Network

Georgia CORE is a partner in a statewide cancer clinical trials network to bring investigational therapies for blood cancer to underserved communities throughout the state. Led by Winship Cancer Institute, the Georgia Blood Cancer Trials Network (BCTN) will conduct clinical trials at many of Winship’s locations, as well as at rural community-based systems across Georgia.

Why a network for blood cancer trials only?

The vast majority of cancer clinical trials in Georgia evaluate treatments for solid tumor cancers. The BCTN is a concerted effort to design and open more clinical trials addressing lymphoma, leukemia and other types of blood cancer. The trials increase access to cutting-edge treatments for those cancers closer to home.

How can a cancer center join the network?

Georgia CORE’s research program coordinator connects Winship investigators to participating healthcare systems in Georgia and helps to bring blood cancer clinical trials to diverse and widespread patient populations in Atlanta and rural Georgia.

Participating cancer centers will actively work to expand blood cancer trials, both onsite and through partner sites.

How do Georgia patients discover blood cancer clinical trials?

Participating sites are awarded “CHAMP” designation, an awareness effort to engage both patients and care providers. The providers will work to reach beyond the standard of care and initiate conversations with patients who have blood cancer to introduce right-fit clinical trials as part of their treatment options.

Launched in 2024, the BCTN program is funded by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, now renamed Blood Cancer United, in combination with a National Cancer Institute Research Specialist Award. To learn more, please email BCTN@GeorgiaCORE.org.