TRIO, a not-for-profit organization, is a global leader in translational oncology research through scientific innovation, excellence in trial development and ex*****on, and collaboration with investigators and industry. The ultimate goal is to improve the survival and quality of life of patients with cancer. TRIO consists of three research partners:
- UCLA-Translational Oncology Research Laborato
ry (UCLA-TORL)
- Translational Research In Oncology-United States Network (TRIO-US)
- Translational Research In Oncology-Global (TRIO-Global)
The 2 clinical research entities of TRIO are managed by a single Board of Directors (BOD) which meets twice annually. The collaboration between the three organizations began in 1999 when a UCLA faculty member proposed a series of clinical trial designs to TRIO-Global based on basic and preclinical science findings from his laboratory. Two pilot studies and three international trials incorporating these findings were launched and conducted by TRIO-Global and the TRIO-US Network. UCLA-TORL
UCLA-TORL is the basic science laboratory where pre-clinical data is generated for translation into humans. The pre-clinical data from UCLA-TORL are developed into early phase proof of concept clinical trials – possibly expanding to phase II and III trials - for ex*****on locally at UCLA, in addition to the TRIO-US Network nationally, or with TRIO-Global. TRIO-US
Historically, the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) partnered with large private practices to offer oncology patients earlier access to leading-edge therapeutic trials. This organization consisted of sites affiliated under the JCCC. The name of this union of community practice was the Community Oncology Research Network (CORN). In 1995, the organization formally the name to Translational Oncology Research International (TORI), established itself as a non-profit, 501c(3), and a site management organization (SMO). Subsequently, the name was changed in 2011 to Translational Research in Oncology-United States Network (TRIO-US) in alliance with international partner in TRIO. The Network operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the UCLA Chancellor’s Office and the JCCC stipulating the primary purpose of TRIO-US is to offer important and select cutting-edge therapeutic trials to participants outside the immediate catchment area and nationwide, which supports greater accrual to JCCC clinical trials. This arrangement has been particularly effective at giving JCCC investigators access to the wider potential patient pool needed to conduct proof-of-concept and early phase clinical trials. The TRIO-US Network and the UCLA clinical oncology research program are managed in the UCLA JCCC Clinical Research Unit (CRU). The CRU is headed by the Faculty Director and Division Chief of UCLA Hematology Oncology. Daily oversight and management of the CRU is the responsibility of the Medical Director, Administrative Director, and Research Director (see Appendix 01 for organizational structure). TRIO-US is a SMO made up of a committed group of more than 10 community oncologists across the United States interested in participating in translational research studies. TRIO-US network sites are responsible for executing on clinical trials brought to them by the UCLA Clinical Research Unit (CRU). Many of the TRIO-US Network sites have participated in clinical trials with UCLA since the inception of the network over 20 years ago. UCLA provides the TRIO-US administrative staff with central study activities including regulatory, pharmacy, contracts and billing. TRIO-US also provides protocol development and project management services for investigator initiated trials to be conducted at UCLA and/or the TRIO-US Network. The TRIO-US Network operates under Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which are developed and maintained by the CRU. In addition to the TRIO-US Network, UCLA has several oncology specialty clinics throughout the Southern California area. These practices are entirely UCLA based with faculty and staff all from UCLA and operations under the UCLA Department of Medicine. These practices, or Satellite Sites, are located in the Greater Los Angeles area and surrounding communities (See Appendix 02 for a list of locations). Over the course of time, additional Satellite Sites may be added to the UCLA program. They shall be included in the general processes set forth by this MOU between TRIO-US and TRIO-Global, unless otherwise specified. TRIO-Global
TRIO-Global, formerly Breast Cancer International Research Group (BCIRG) is a full service Academic Research Organization (ARO) with offices in Edmonton, Paris and Montevideo. TRIO-Global was first established in 1997 as BCIRG and as part of the Alberta Cancer Board. The first trial conducted by BCIRG was a pivotal breast cancer study which led to the registration of docetaxel in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. BCIRG was incorporated as CIRG in 1999, an operational structure which adhered to comprehensive pharmaceutical industry standards. In 2011, CIRG, in conjunction with TORI, officially changed their name to TRIO-Global. Since the inception of TRIO-Global, it has established a reputation as a leader in the clinical oncology research community. TRIO-Global has built a network of more than 300 research sites, with over 500 investigators, to successfully run international trials. Like TRIO-US, TRIO-Global benefits from the expertise at UCLA-TORL and its findings which form the basis of its study designs and strategy.
