In an effort to integrate and coordinate cancer and aging activities across NCI as well as enhance collaboration with the National Institutes of Aging, NCI created the Trans-NCI Cancer and Aging Coordinating Committee (CACC) made up of representatives from Divisions and Offices across NCI.
The CACC coordinates analysis and review of the NCI-funded research portfolio related to cancer and aging, identifies gaps and opportunities to address those gaps through extramural activities, and develops communication initiatives and hosts events to inform the research community of relevant priorities and resources.
The monthly CACC meetings are open to interested NCI extramural program staff and fellows. Contact the Co-Chairs for more information.
Future Directions
To advance the committee’s mission, CACC members commit to:
- Optimizing function by broadening facilitation among members to increase the number and diversity of representatives with rotating leadership responsibilities. One option under consideration is a model with two co-chairs, a core planning group, and subcommittees to develop specific extramural activities.
- Expanding NCI’s visibility by creating and nurturing productive partnerships within and across NCI, NIA, and other NIH institutes, centers, and offices.
- Advancing programmatic and extramural capacity-building by inviting NIH colleagues to present relevant portfolios, funding opportunities, published research, and providing extramural grantsmanship resources.
Co-Chairs:
Weiwei Chen, Ph.D., Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
Gosia Klauzinska, Ph.D., Division of Cancer Biology
Timeline of CACC Milestones
June
Webinar
Assessing Epigenetic Aging in Post-Treatment Cancer Survivors
Speakers:
- Dr. Judith Carroll (David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA)
- Dr. Nikesha Gilmore (University of Rochester Medical Center)
- Dr. AnnaLynn Williams (University of Rochester Medical Center)
May
Webinar
Exploring Biomarkers of Aging in the Context of Cancer Risk
Speakers:
- Dr. Sarah Johnstone (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute)
- Ms. Hela Koka (National Cancer Institute)
- Dr. Mary Sehl (University of California, Los Angeles)
March
Webinar
Utilizing Unique Resources to Study Cancer and Aging
Speakers:
- Dr. Anna Prizment (University of Minnesota)
- Dr. Ashly Westrick (University of Michigan School of Public Health)
November
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Eleanor M. Simonsick (National Institute on Aging)
- Dr. Jennifer A. Schrack (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Schol of Public Health)
October
Webinar
Cancer-related cognitive impairments: Neural mechanisms and potential interventions
Speakers:
- Dr. Shelli Kesler (The University of Texas at Austin)
- Dr. Brenna C. McDonald (Indiana University School of Medicine)
April
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Mina Sedrak (City of Hope)
- Dr. George Kuchel (University of Connecticut)
March
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Smita Bhatia (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
- Dr. Ashley Rosko (The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center)
November
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Jeanine Genkinger (Columbia University Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- Dr. Zhaoming Wang (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)
September
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Siobhan Phillips (Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine; Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center)
- Dr. Keri Schadler (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)
May
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Jeanne Mandelblatt (Georgetown University)
- Dr. Judith E. Carroll (David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA)
April
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Wendy Demark-Wahnefried (O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Alabama at Birmingham; American Cancer Society)
- Dr. Cindy Blair (University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center)
April
AACR NCI session “Cancer and Aging Research and Resource Development Opportunities.”
February
The Trans-NCI Cancer and Aging Coordinating Committee (CACC) established the following working groups:
- Scientific Coding – Lead: Linnia Mayeenuddin (CSSI)
- Cancer and Aging Biomarkers – Lead: Jennifer Guida (DCCPS)
- Health and Aging Trajectories (HAT) – Leads: Gabriela Riscuta (DCP) and Anil Wali (CRCHD)
- Cancer and Comorbidities – Lead: Weiwei Chen (DCTD)
- Aging and Sex Disparities in Cancer – Leads: Margaret Klauzinska (DCB) and Konstantin Salnikow (DCB)
January
CACC leadership transition to Lisa Gallicchio and Chamelli Jhappan.
December
Webinar
The Use of Biological and Digital Biomarkers in Cancer and Aging Research
Speakers:
- Dr. Martina Mancini (Oregon Health & Science University)
- Dr. Nikesha Gilmore (University of Rochester Medical Center)
October
Forum
Trans-NCI Extramural Awareness Group (TEAG) Forum (Part 2): Clinical Science on Cancer and Aging
Moderators:
- Dr. Weiwei Chen (NCI)
- Dr. Philipp Oberdoerffer (NCI)
- Dr. Anil Wali (NCI)
October
Grantee Meeting
NCI P30 Cancer Center Support Grants for new interdisciplinary research on cancer and aging
Moderators:
- Dr. Lisa Gallicchio (NCI)
- Dr. Paige Green (NCI)
- Dr. Jennifer Guida (NC)
September
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Marco Demaria (University Medical Center Groningen)
- Dr. Judith Campisi (USC Leonard David School of Gerontology)
September
Forum
Trans-NCI Extramural Awareness Group (TEAG) Forum (Part 1): Coordination of Cancer and Aging Research Support Across NCI (CACC)
Moderators:
- Dr. Weiwei Chen (NCI)
- Dr. Philipp Oberdoerffer (NCI)
- Dr. Anil Wali (NCI)
August
Publication
Siddique A, Simonsick E, Gallicchio L. Functional decline among older cancer survivors in the Baltimore longitudinal study of aging. J Am Geriatr Soc. Published online August 3, 2021. doi:10.1111/ jgs.17369
June
Grantee Meeting
NCI P30 Cancer Center Support Grants for new interdisciplinary research on cancer and aging
Moderators:
- Dr. Lisa Gallicchio (NCI)
- Dr. Paige Green (NCI)
- Dr. Jennifer Guida (NCI)
May
Webinar
Measuring Patients’ Pace of Biological Aging Through Life-Course Research
Speakers:
- Dr. Daniel Belsky (Columbia University)
- Dr. Terrie Mofftt (King’s College London)
March
Webinar
Targeting Aging to Transform Human Health
Speakers:
- Dr. Nathan LeBrasseur (Mayo Clinic)
- Dr. Jessica Scott (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
February
Publication
Guida JL, Agurs-Collins T, Ahles TA, et al. Strategies to prevent or remediate cancer and treatment-related Aging. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2021;113(2):112–122. Published online April 29, 2020. doi:10.1093/jnci/djaa060
January
Notice of Special Interest Published
Understanding the Effects of Cancer and Cancer Treatment on Aging Trajectories and Aging Outcomes (NOT-CA-21-031)
Led by:
- Dr. Basil Eldadah (NIA)
- Dr. Lisa Gallicchio (NCI)
January
Webinar
Cancer and Aging: Microenvironmental Impact on Oncogenesis and Immunity
Speakers:
- Dr. James DeGregori (University of Colorado)
- Dr. Curtis Henry (Emory University)
November
Webinar
mTOR Signaling Pathway, mTOR Inhibitors and Aging: Considerations for Clinical Trials
Facilitator:
- Dr. Irina Sazonova (NIA)
November
Webinar
Speakers:
- Dr. Garnet Anderson (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)
- Dr. Elizabeth Cespedes Feliciano (Kaiser Permanente Northern California)
November
Accelerated Aging Following Cancer Treatment
27th Annual Maryland State Council on Cancer Control Conference
Keynote:
- Dr. Jennifer Guida (NCI)
October
Conference
Age-Dependent Changes in Cancer Biology
Speakers:
- Dr. Luigi Ferrucci (NIA)
- Dr. Richard Hodes (NIA)
- Dr. Norman Sharpless (NCI)
October
Webinar
Hindsight Is 2020: Lessons Learned from Cancer and Aging Researchers on Submitting an NIH Grant
Speakers:
- Dr. Michael Irwin (UCLA Geffen School of Medicine)
- Dr. Supriya Mohile (University of Rochester)
- Dr. Kerri Winters-Stone (OHSU Knight Cancer Institute, School of Medicine)
September
Webinar
Geriatric Assessment in Oncology: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Speakers:
- Dr. Hyman Muss (University of North Carolina)
- Dr. Grant Williams (University of Alabama at Birmingham)
September
Funding Opportunity Published
Aging, Cancer-Initiating Cells, and Cancer Development (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Led by:
- Dr. Margaret Klauzinska (NCI)
- Dr. Candace Kerr (NIA)
July
Think Tank
Cancer, Aging and COVID-19
Speakers:
- Dr. Luigi Ferrucci (NIA)
- Dr. Richard Hodes (NIA)
- Dr. Norman Sharpless (NCI)
- Dr. Dinah Singer (NCI)
April
Webinar
Cancer and Aging: Biological and Phenotypic Measures of Aging
Speakers:
- Dr. Luigi Ferrucci (NIA)
- Dr. Morgan Levine (Yale School of Medicine)
March
Notice of Special Interest Published
Administrative Supplements for Understanding Aging Trajectories among Cancer Survivors (NOT-CA-20-037)
Led by:
- Dr. Lisa Gallicchio (NCI)
- Dr. Paige Green (NCI)
March
Publication
Guida JL, Green PA, Gallicchio L. Envisioning Arti’s ‘Cadillac Study’ to assess aging trajectories in cancer survivors. J Geriatr Oncol. 2020;11(2):175–178. Published online July 8, 2019. doi:10.1016/j. jgo.2019.06.009.
January
Webinar
Canaries in the Coal Mine: What We Can Learn about Aging from Survivors of Childhood Cancer
Speakers:
- Dr. Kirsten Ness (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)
- Dr. Maria Monica Gramatges (Baylor College of Medicine)
December
Publication
Guida J, Ahles TA, Belsky D, et al. Measuring aging and identifying aging phenotypes in cancer survivors. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2019;111(12):1245–1254.
October
Webinar
Building Infrastructure for Cancer and Aging Research
Speakers:
- Dr. William Dale (City of Hope)
- Dr. Supriya Mohile (University of Rochester)
June
Inaugural meeting of the Trans-NCI Cancer and Aging Coordinating Committee (CACC).
CACC Steering Committee Members (2019 – 2021)1| Name | Division/Office/Center |
|---|---|
| Nelson Aguila | Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities |
| Weiwei Chen | Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis |
| Lisa Gallicchio | Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences |
| Paige Green2 | Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences |
| Kevin Howcroft3 | Division of Cancer Biology |
| Chamelli Jhappan | Division of Cancer Biology |
| Richard Little | Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis |
| Nicole McNeil Ford | Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities |
| Gabriela Riscuta | Division of Cancer Prevention |
| Ana I. Robles | Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research |
| Diane St. Germain4 | Division of Cancer Prevention |
| Matthew Young | Division of Cancer Prevention |
1 Appointed by NCI DOC leadership
2 Inaugural Chair of the CACC
3 Designated NCI liaison to the Trans-NIH Geroscience Interest Group
4 DCP Designated Representative