International Cancer Genome Consortium lines up first $180 million in projects

The Canadian headquartered International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) has reached another key milestone with the launch of its first slate of research projects aimed at cataloguing the genetic abnormalities in tumors from 50 cancer types or subtypes. ICGC reports that eight countries have joined the consortium and committed $20 million each to examine specific tumor types, with France committing double that amount to examine two types.

The announcement comes just several months after the release of project policies and guidelines and follows a key workshop held November 15-17 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda MD. Although $180 million is a long way from the ultimate objective of $1 billion in projects, ICGC managing director Dr Tom Hudson says he's confident that the target will be met.

"One hundred and eighty million dollars raised on international science is impressive, considering the current economic situation. We have reached our initial goal and have representation from Europe, Asia, Australia and North America," says Hudson. "There are many more groups pending. Five already have observer status and we plan to convert them. One billion dollars for 50 projects is a realistic goal and $20 million per genome is a realistic cost. The cost of sequencing is rapidly getting cheaper."

The ICGC selected Toronto as its headquarters earlier this year as well as the site for its data centre. In return, ICGC dedicated $30 million from its base funding to establish operations and $10 million in new funds to begin research on pancreatic cancer (R$, May 20/08).

larger funding commitments

The $180 million in funding is not completely reflective of the value of many countries' commitments. India, for instance, is building a centre in Calcutta that will form the headquarters for its research activities. Spain is doing the same, allocating more than $40 million towards the construction of a dedicated centre.

"Many agencies want to go beyond the consortium and beyond cataloguing," says Hudson, adding that some countries are exploring the potential for taking on a second or even third cancer type or pooling resources to explore cancer sub types.

In Canada, the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance which serves as pan-Canadian coordinating voice. At an October workshop, several more cancer targets were identified for Canadian research projects and a process has been established to move them forward.

"We've instituted a white paper process and once that's complete we'll come back to the funding agencies," says Hudson. "There are many cancer types but we have to establish which types Canada has the most (research) strength in."

Hudson says the level of excitement evident at the NIH workshop was infectious but is unlikely to persist as the work of the ICGC advances.

"Right now it's like a honeymoon. There was a lot of excitement and committed groups there. But it's too good to be true. The hard parts are coming," he says.

In addition to the advanced countries, many emerging nations are also coming forward to participate in ICGC. India and China have already come on board while Mexico's involvement is probable. Talks with Brazil are in the early stages.

ICGC members are currently working to meet a new set of milestones, including policies on data access, quality control between research teams and sample collection.

In Toronto, the ICGC data centre is up and running with the Mayo Clinic on board as a partner and another Boston-based research group about to come on stream.

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