A Patient’s Guide to Understanding
Cutaneous Lymphoma
82
interdisciplinary research. Advances in communication technology have
already provided a platform that has enhanced international collaborations.
The cutaneous lymphoma community benefits from collaboration
between all stakeholders - scientists, physicians, nurses, social workers
and patients - in developing coordinated strategies to address the research
agenda for cutaneous lymphoma. For an overview of the advances in
cutaneous lymphomas and the cutaneous lymphoma research agenda,
see the Proceedings of the CLF’s Cutaneous Lymphoma Summit
_
Proceedings.pdf).
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A unique aspect of the research agenda of skin-based lymphomas is
that it connects the worlds of dermatology and oncology. Traditionally,
cancer research is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI),
and skin research is funded through the National Institute of Arthritis,
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), two different branches of
the National Institutes of Health (NIH). There are many unique aspects
of cutaneous lymphomas that affect the skin, such as itching, protein
loss, and infections due to breakdown of barrier protection, which are
not found in other types of cancer. These dermatology-related aspects
of cutaneous lymphoma are important and relevant in the areas of skin
and cancer research. Because they are associated with a cancer, however,
cutaneous lymphoma grant applications are typically sent to the NCI
where they compete against other cancer grants for more predominant
types of cancer (such as breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer), reducing
the potential of research funding. One of the advocacy priorities of the
Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation is to bring awareness of this issue to
these organizations and advocate a broader view regarding the eligibility
of cutaneous lymphoma grant applications within and between the NCI
and NIAMS. This would potentially increase the funding opportunities for
cutaneous lymphoma investigators.
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Recruitment of the best and brightest into the cutaneous lymphoma
research arena ensures progress and advancement in learning more about
the disease and finding new treatments. The mentoring from established
investigators of individuals early in their career development is an essential
element of recruiting and retaining these young researchers in the field of
cutaneous lymphoma. The Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation’s Young
Investigator Award program supports these young investigators in their
pursuit of careers in cutaneous lymphoma.
