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INTRODUCTION
The current proposal for an ISCIII-sponsored RETIC on cancer for the period 2013-2016 reflects the natural evolution of prior experiences of cooperative cancer research networks previously held in Spain on a continuous basis since 2003. In particular, an initial Network of Cancer Research Centers (Red Temática de Investigación Cooperative de Centros de Cancer, RTICCC) was established during the years 2003-2006 that encompassed 23 separate institutions research centers (126 individual groups) located in different hospitals and research centers located of 12 different autonomous regions of Spain. Since 2006, the Spanish Cancer Network switched focus from the research centers to the individual lPI-led groups and a new Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cancer, RTICC, was established that involved the cooperative work of 95 distinct, PI-led groups (85 Regular groups, and 15 clinical associate groups) distributed in institutions located in 13 different CCAA of this country. Despite its initial conception as 4 year project, the ISCIII has extended the activities and validity of the current RTICC has extended its activities for a total 6 years, until the end of 2012. The current proposal for a new RETIC on cancer is being presented by the 20-member Executive Committee of the current RTICC, in an effort to extend and improve on the quality and results yields of the research efforts of the Cancer research cooperative in our country.
It is also pertinent to mention that the Strategic Action Plan presented in this document represents a natural continuation of the Strategic Action Plans that were implemented and refined periodically in the RTICC network in response to the yearly evaluations and recommendations received during the period 2007-2012 from either ad hoc external evaluation agencies commissioned by ISCIII or from its own external Scientific Advisory Board. As many of those recommendations were geared at improving the scientific quality and international competitiveness of the RTICC network components, the current proposal reflects an emphasis on (i) the translational orientation of basic, clinical and epidemiological research tasks planned for the network as well as on (ii) the lower number, (iii) bigger size and (iv)higher scientific productivity of the groups selected to participate in this initiative. In this regard it is worth mentioning that the list of groups participating in the current proposal is composed by (i) a majority (about 80%) of RTICC groups that were consistently evaluated in the top 50% of that network and a (ii) smaller group (about 15%) of new, high quality research groups that were not previously part of RTICC as they were integrated in research structures (such as Consoliders) that were deemed incompatible with the RETICs by ISCIII (to which they have now resigned).
Preparing, writing and editing the present cancer RETIC proposal has been the result of a consensus-building process managed by the Executive Committee of RTICC and the joint work of a designated ad hoc subcommittee. This process has entailed the application of consensus criteria for the definition and formulation of the 8 research Programs composing this proposal as well as to the selection of candidates groups and PIs and to all other organizational details of each one of the Programs. Geared to improving synergyzation and enhancement of the quality of cancer research performed by individual groups at the national level. Consistent with the significantly reduced budget available for the current RETIC call, only a total 70 groups have been selected for participation in this call (about 30% reduction in comparison to the number of groups participating in the RTICC network ending December 2012).
The mission of the proposed RETIC on cancer is to implement a functional network matrix of scientific Programs structured at the national level that is geared at improving the integration, synergization and enhancement of the quality of cancer research performed by individual, internationally competitive cancer research groups distributed throughout the different Spanish Autonomous Regions. This Network structure should make it possible the multidisciplinary study of cancer at the basic, translational, epidemiological and clinical levels and, in addition, should facilitate the efficient transfer of results from the lab bench to the society. Specific goals linked to this general mission include at least the following: (i) To create an environment of research excellence that allows Spanish cancer researchers to compete in equal terms with other national and international cancer networks; (ii) To promote synergistic cooperation among basic, clinical, and translational laboratories in Spain; (iii) To conduct a multifaceted study of the tumorigenic process at the basic, translational, and clinical level; (iv) To develop new diagnostic and prognostic tools of application to cancer patients; (v) To put in motion technical and diagnostic facilities that favor cancer diagnostics, prognostics and the development of new anti-tumor approaches and therapies; (vi) To promote interactions with other national and international cancer networks as well as with the biopharmaceutical industry; (vii) To train specialized personnel at the technical, graduate, and postdoctoral level in molecular, translational, and clinical oncology.
The vision of the proposed RETIC on cancer is to become a permanent network research structure within the Spanish biomedical research system (long term “Stable Networked Research Structures” of the ISCIII) that allows the top leading Spanish cancer researchers and research centers to carry out interdisciplinary, internationally competitive studies on cancer in Spain. This structure has to promote and facilitate dynamic and fluid interaction between groups of excellence at the basic, translational, and clinical level in hospitals and other specialized cancer research centers throughout our country. In addition, it must act as a catalyzer for cancer research in Spain by promoting the establishment of networks between clinical and academic departments in Spain. Finally, it has to foster new technological advances in cancer research by making available state-of-the-art technologies to individual researchers and the overall Spanish R+D system.
The current proposal also contains a variety of indicators and quantitative markers that will enable an objective evaluation of the performance of the network as a whole as well as the degree of achievement of the scientific goals set for each of its 8 separate Programs. In addition, as in previous editions, this cancer RETIC plans to continue carrying out open annual internal auto-evaluations of its component groups as well as the more detailed, annual external evaluations carried out by its own external Scientific Advisory Board.
The managerial aspects of the proposed cancer RETIC are also a continuation of the organizational practices held to general satisfaction in the RTICC during the last few years. The management aspects of the proposed cancer network continue to be articulated around the figure of the national coordinator that is now complemented by the coordinators of each of the 8 separate individual Programs. These coordinators will constitute the Executive Committee (EC) that will jointly oversee the day-to-day operations of the network. In addition, the EC will continue receiving direct advice and supervision from the Scientific Advisory Board of the current RTICC. The SAB provides the EC with ad-hoc recommendations whenever consulted and also attends the Annual RETIC meeting, where it prepares and delivers its overall annual report on the function of RETIC. Finally, our web page (www.rticc.org) keeps daily updated information on all aspects and developments related to the day-to-day function of the network as a whole and each of its component Scientific Programs.
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