Pact With NCI Expands Veterans' Access to Trials

BETHESDA, Md--In a move designed to increase the pool of patients availablefor clinical trials, the National Cancer Institute has forged an agreementwith the Department of Veterans Affairs that will increase the abilityof veterans to enroll in phase I, II, and III studies.

Under the agreement, the VA will provide medical coverage for eligibleveterans who participate in NCI-supported studies at non-VA facilities.The pact also envisions that more NCI studies will be conducted in VA hospitalsand clinics.

"Developing an expanded pool of VA cancer researchers will strengthenour clinical research program across the board," said Robert Wittes,MD, director of NCI's Division of Cancer Treatment, Diagnosis, and Centers.