Disease/Discipline Oriented Groups

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center’s Disease/Discipline Oriented Groups (DOGs) serve as integrated, multidisciplinary teams of expert investigators who develop, promote and conduct clinical and translational cancer research within a disease site or modality. This research is conducted within the context of the Mayo Model of Care.

Currently, 16 DOGs function within and are supported by the Cancer Center to advance the science and operations of clinical cancer research across the three Mayo Clinic campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. The DOG activities encompass:

• Breast Cancer
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
• Dysproteinemia
• Endocrine Malignancies
• Genitourinary Cancers
• Gastrointestinal Cancers
• Gynecological Cancers
• Head and Neck Cancers
• Lymphoma
• Lung Cancers
• Myeloid Leukemias
• Neuro-Oncology
• Pediatric Cancers
• Phase I Clinical Trials
• Sarcoma
• Skin Cancers (Melanoma)

The DOGs are organized to advance the process of protocol development by providing and abiding by clear criteria for scientific review that takes into account:

• Specific rationale
• Study design
• Duplication of studies already in progress elsewhere
• Adequacy of biostatistical input
• Feasibility for completion within a reasonable time frame

Mayo Clinic Cancer Center DOGs coordinate among members and between DOGs and Cancer Center Programs to advance cohesive, integrated and collaborative clinical and translational research. They develop and employ mechanisms for overseeing the prioritization of competing protocols from all sources (including cooperative group trials and industry trials), thus ensuring optimal use of the Cancer Center’s clinical resources for scientific purposes.