KU Clinical Research Center
Designed unlike any other clinical research facility in the country, the 82,400-square-foot KU Clinical Research Center (KU CRC) is equipped with state-of-the-art features and efficient use of space, resources and manpower to best accommodate patients and researchers. The building was donated by the Hall Family Foundation, totally renovated by the JCERT Authority, and features:
- Cutting-edge cancer trials, easily accessible outpatient rooms, office space and specimen collection labs
- Clinical research functions combined into one location
- Pharmacy to dispense and monitor medications along with pharmacy patient advocates to help with insurance billing questions and issues
- Clinical lab for performing complete blood counts, blood chemistry analysis, urinalysis and preparation of bone marrow biopsies
- A pavilion for gatherings and community events
At the KU CRC, clinical trials are designed to identify safer and more effective approaches to prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Cancer clinical trials provide access to potential advancements in care and lead to medical innovations in cancer prevention and treatment. These trials may be a patient’s best chance for increased survival. Through the Early Phase I Oncology Unit, the KU CRC strives to:
- Introduce new cancer drugs to the market that are more effective and less toxic
- Offer more treatment options to patients
- Develop strong partnerships with referring physicians
- Gain national program recognition
KU Cancer Center physician-scientist Ajay Bansal, MD, studies new therapies for gastrointestinal cancers.
The Clinical Trials Office (CTO) provides comprehensive, centralized support services that span the lifecycle of cancer clinical trials from concept through manuscript and assures that the patient population and resources needed to successfully conduct these trials is in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations.
The CTO has facilitated significant growth of investigator-initiated clinical research at the KU Cancer Center while implementing and administering cost-effective processes to ensure the research activities have scientific merit, protect patient safety, maintain scientific integrity and are fiscally sound.
Masonic Cancer Alliance (MCA) is the outreach network of The University of Kansas Cancer Center. MCA is a membership-based organization that brings together cancer research, care and support professionals to advance the quality and reach of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and survivorship. It links member hospitals, medical professionals and their patients with KU Cancer Center research and clinical trials. The administrative offices for MCA are housed in the KU CRC.
The KU CRC was an important contributor to KU Cancer Center’s recent National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center designation in July 2022.
KU Cancer Center Achieves National Cancer Institute’s Most Prestigious Designation: Why It Matters
More than 180 staff members and 75 oncologists at KU Cancer Center are dedicated to conducting clinical research.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center was designated as a “comprehensive” cancer center by the National Cancer Institute in July 2022. This is the highest level of recognition awarded by the NCI and is the gold standard for cancer centers. KU Cancer Center is one of 53 such centers in the nation with this elite status.
Comprehensive cancer centers like The University of Kansas Cancer Center are leaders in cancer research, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. This designation guarantees that people in our region have greater access to cutting-edge treatments, leading to higher survival rates.
NCI comprehensive designation is transforming our region
- Patients treated at NCI centers have a 25% greater chance of survival.
- Patients treated at NCI comprehensive cancer centers experience superior survival compared to patients treated at other centers.
- More Kansas City patients receive life-saving cancer treatments close to home.
Bringing the latest in research and cancer care to Kansans
KU Cancer Center aims to do nothing less than fundamentally transform the cancer experience – to give all people in our region greater access to breakthrough ideas and novel treatments.
Benefiting our community through focused treatment and prevention efforts
- Improve access to prevention services and cancer treatment for underserved and minority communities
- Decrease smoking and obesity rates and increase HPV vaccinations
- Extend the highest level of prevention, treatment and survivorship available
Accelerating progress: Because cancer does not wait
- Develop highly personalized cancer treatments for each unique patient
- Offer state-of-the-art cancer treatments close to home
- Recruit and retain the best physician scientists
- Leverage partnerships for further innovation in drug discovery and development