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translational research (24%), clinical research (6%), and cancer control research (1%). The
percentage of grants in either database addressing particular research areas did not vary
substantially from 2000 through 2013. KOL interviews. We interviewed 59 KOLs in the MBC
space. Four main themes arose from these interviews: (1) the need for a tissue bank that
matches primary tumors with metastatic tumors, (2) the need to standardize metastatic
preclinical models, (3) the need to redesign clinical trials for MBC to measure new endpoints
(beyond MBC tumor shrinkage and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors [RECIST] scale)
and to coordinate the trials across multiple investigators and institutions, and (4) the need to
diversify clinical R&D funds to invest in promising new targets, noting there are too many “me
too” drugs, such as PI3K. Conclusions: We were able to successfully categorize most targeted
therapies in clinical trials according to the hallmarks of cancer, and research grants could be
categorized according to the steps of metastasis. In addition, the data gathered from funded
research grants and clinical trials was consistent overall with the research needs identified
by KOLs. The next steps are to better understand why gaps in certain areas exist and develop
strategies to address those gaps.

Introduction

One of 3 mission areas of the Alliance is to advance research focused on extending life,
enhancing quality of life, and ultimately ending death from MBC. To determine how best to
advocate for research in MBC, the Alliance conducted a landscape analysis of MBC research
in addition to separate assessments of patient needs and quality of life (see Chapter 3) and
information and services available for patients (see Chapter 4).

The Alliance’s research landscape analysis is an effort to identify gaps in and opportunities for
MBC research by analyzing currently active clinical trials and information on previously funded
biomedical research grants as well as by interviewing KOLs in the MBC space. By understanding
and reporting on MBC research gaps and opportunities, Alliance members and others can
advocate for, and potentially fund, the MBC research that is most needed.

The Alliance believes this exercise of reviewing and categorizing MBC research and
understanding key expert opinions will enable us to target our own efforts and to inform the
larger cancer community. Our goal is to advance research more rapidly and help accelerate the
development of new treatments that extend the life span of, while maintaining a high quality of
life for, people living with MBC.

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