Science That Will Change the World

Audrey H. Calderwood, MD, MS, is the director of the Comprehensive Gastroenterology Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, and associate professor of medicine at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice (TDI)

FUELING SCIENCE THAT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

Research team paves the way with a $32.7 million award for its study on colorectcal cancer prevention in older adults

A research team led by Audrey H. Calderwood, MD, MS, director of the Comprehensive Gastroenterology Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, has been awarded a $32.7 million grant by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This momentous award will fund a large study focused on the prevention of colon cancer in adults 70 and older.

Dr. Calderwood received Prouty pilot funding in 2017 and 2019 to launch her novel idea which laid the groundwork for this PCORI grant—one of the largest grants Dartmouth cancer researchers have ever received.

“We will gather information on important patient-centered outcomes, including satisfaction with and trust in testing, cancer worry, perceived cancer susceptibility and emotional benefits of surveillance,” said Dr. Calderwood. “Results will bring meaningful change in the delivery of colorectal cancer prevention for older adults by evaluating a safe and convenient alternative to colonoscopy.”

Thanks to institutional foresight, Dr. Calderwood was one of six members of the first cohort in the DartmouthHitchcock Cancer Faculty Fellows Program, designed through the Cancer Center’s 2018 strategic plan for cancer research career enhancement. The program included a $1 million per year investment to fund 40% protected time over three years to pursue cancer-focused research. “This study will have an incredible impact and could simplify colorectal cancer screenings by making them more accessible.” said Director of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Dr. Steven Leach. “Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the country, and Dr. Calderwood’s team is working to help change those statistics.”

Dr. Calderwood’s study proposal was selected by scientists, patients, care partners, and other stakeholders in a highly competitive review process for a PCORI initiative to support large-scale, high-impact comparative effectiveness research trials in a multiphase format allowing for testing and refinement of the study approach.

Co-investigators on the study include Douglas J. Robertson, MD, MPH, chief of Gastroenterology at the White River Junction VA, and professor of medicine at TDI, and Karen E. Schifferdecker, PhD, MPH, director of the Center for Program Design and Evaluation at Dartmouth, and associate professor of community and family medicine at TDI.

This exciting study that got started with initial Prouty pilot funding, has the potential to fill an important evidence gap relevant to a range of health care decision-makers, help them better access their care options, and save lives.

A conversation with Dr. Audrey H. Calderwood

How has Prouty pilot funding impacted your research?

I am very fortunate and grateful to have benefited from Prouty pilot funding twice. The 2017 pilot funding allowed me to collaborate with experts in qualitative research at Geisel’s Center for Program Design and Evaluation. Our team conducted focus groups of older adults with colon polyps to understand their thoughts and attitudes toward ongoing colonoscopy. With another round of pilot funding in 2019, I worked with experts in patient communication and shared decision making from The Dartmouth Institute’s Co-Production Laboratory to create and test a novel, paperbased conversation aid to help older adults and their providers make a choice about continuing or stopping ongoing colonoscopy.

How did funds raised by The Prouty community contribute to this project?

The Prouty pilots have directly supported my work in the field of colorectal cancer prevention in older adults and ultimately led to a recent $32.7 million award from PCORI. I’m confident that our success in securing this large award was facilitated by the track record of preliminary data, publications and new collaborations from two Prouty pilot grants in 2017 and 2019.

How does seed funding advance cancer research at NCCC?

Seed funding allows investigators like myself to explore early research ideas that might otherwise not get off the ground. The ability to generate preliminary data and establish collaborations through seed funding directly translates into improved success when applying for external funding for larger projects that can ultimately advance knowledge in the field and around the world.

A note of thanks

My team and I are so appreciative of The Prouty community’s fundraising efforts. The awareness that The Prouty raises for the cutting-edge, patient-centered, collaborative research we do at NCCC has been instrumental to our success. The Prouty community’s passion, enthusiasm, and support are inspiring and lead to real change in our delivery of care to patients and families affected by cancer here at Dartmouth and beyond. Thank you, thank you, thank you!