North American cooperative group research efforts in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in North America and claims more lives than breast, prostate, and colon cancer combined [1]. Since 1985 have witnessed gradual progress in treatment, with most of the pivotal phase III trials in North America conducted within the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-sponsored cooperative group framework. Within the USA, there are four general oncology cooperative groups: the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG), the Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB), and the North Central Cancer Treatment Group (NCCTG). ECOG, SWOG, and CALGB include member institutions from throughout the country, while NCCTG is a regional cooperative group centered around the Mayo Clinic. Within Canada, the National Cancer Institute Canada (NCIC) oversees cooperative oncology efforts. Two more focused cooperative oncology groups who play a pivotal role and cross the US/Canadian border are the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) and the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). Here we outline the current and planned trials of each of these organizations and give an overview of the vision of each group. Trials which have recently been completed, but have not yet been reported, are also listed.