What are SPORES and why are they unique?
• At the National Cancer Institute, SPORE stands for Specialized Program Of Research Excellence and is the engine created by the NCI in 1992 to translate basic science discoveries to the clinic (Translational Research). Currently, 58 SPOREs are performing translational research in brain, breast, gastrointestinal (GI), genitourinary (GU), head & neck, lung, ovary, pancreas, prostate, and skin cancers and in leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. • A SPORE maintains state-of-the-art research that contributes to improved screening, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of organspecific cancers (or related groups of cancers). Within the NCI SPORE program, investigators design and conduct a wide spectrum of research activities, contribute significantly to the development of specialized research cores and improved research models, and conduct collaborative research projects with other institutions. The SPORE program was developed to promote multidisciplinary research in basic laboratory
