APPENDICES

PLAN FOR SECOND FIVE-YEAR PROGRAM

Purpose
The U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program was initiated in 1974 between the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), with a view to eventually conquering cancer, a common enemy of mankind. The United States and Japan respectively developed cancer research under different academic and cultural systems. Furthermore, cancers in the two countries show different characteristics from the viewpoint of geographic pathology. Special significance was mutually recognized of planned cooperation between the scientists of the two countries with such different backgrounds. The first five-year cooperative program comprised scientific seminars, exchange of scientists, and exchange of research materials and information, and covered eleven areas of cancer research.
The achievements during the first five-year period are described in detail in the First Progress Report (1974-75), the Second Progress Report (1976-77), and the Third Progress Report (1978). Notable progress was witnessed in the eleven areas of cancer research. Among the important achievements of the cooperative program are comparison of cancer patterns of the two countries, development and application of carcinogen and mutagen assay methods, introduction of new technology in cytology automation, high LET radiation, comparative study on new antitumor drugs, and the establishment of a fundamental basis of immunotherapv. The Program made it possible for a large number of cancer researchers of the two countries to be acquainted with each other through research and discussion. Such a personal contact is also a great achievement of the Program, which is intangible but highly stimulating for the progress of cancer research in the respective countries.
With these achievements and experience during the first five-year period, the Second Five-Year Cooperative Research Program will be started in 1979 to further the common purpose of diminishing disability and death from cancer.
The main objectives are as follows:

1. To identify environmental and intrinsic carcinogenic factors and mechanisms through laboratory and epidemiological research in order to further the understanding of causes of cancer and means of its prevention.
   
2. To clarify the nature of cancer cells from the precancerous of cellular and molecular biology; to explore further the nature of fundamental immunologic processes that may determine host responses to cancer; and to develop new methods for the early diagnosis of cancer.
   
3. To develop new anticancer drugs, new developments in radiation oncology, new immunotherapeutic approaches, and combined modality studies most appropriate to specific disease sites. Collaborative trials will be undertaken to compare results in both countries and to maximize the rapid accumulation of meaningful data. Disease sites to be emphasized include gastric cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, and bladder cancer.
   

Areas for Cooperation
The following four major areas for cooperation will be newly established in place of the previous eleven areas, so as to give greater flexibility in carrying out cooperative research:


The Interdisciplinary Program and Coordination Area serves the functions of general coordination of the three program areas, consideration of new programs of scientific merit, and facilitation of interdisciplinary program areas of high priority and other organ sites.
The restructuring of the areas for cooperation is required by the present social needs of the two countries and recent cancer research progress in the world, as well as from the experience of the first five-year program.
Each area will have two coordinators, one appointed by each country. A number of areas of special interest may be identified for each area to indicate priority in the implementation of cooperative activities. These areas of special interest may change during the five years, depending on the scientific opportunity and new knowledge. Coordinators may appoint principal advisors to assist them in developing the areas of special interest as they evolve.

The areas of special interest are as follows:

New Machinery for Implementation
1. The Joint Steering Committee Meeting as a policymaking group will meet at least once every year.
2. The Joint Steering Committee Meeting will discuss the following matters:
• Policy matters concerning the U.S.-Japan Cooperative Cancer Research Program
• Overall plan for the Second Five-Year Program
• Annual program including scientific seminars, exchange of scientists, and exchange of materials and information
• Matters concerning the coordination among the program areas for cooperation
• Matters concerning inter/multidisciplinary programs
• Evaluation and report of activities
• Any other matters which need agreement between the NCI and the JSPS.
3. Participants of the Joint Steering Committee Meeting will be the representatives and executive secretaries of NCI and JSPS and the program coordinators of the four areas. If deemed necessary, special guests may be invited to participate in the meetings as ad hoc members.
4. The agreements reached at a Joint Steering Committee Meeting will be effective as approved by both NCI and JSPS.
5. The NCI and the JSPS will maintain close contact by occasional meetings or correspondence to prepare for the Joint Steering Committee Meetings and to consult with each other in regard to the implementation of the cooperative program.

Types of Activity and Financial Responsibilities
Activities that will be supported by the NCI and the JSPS under this cooperative program are (1) scientific seminars, (2) exchange of scientists, and (3) exchange of materials and information. Each type of activity will be carried out as follows based upon the priority and availability of the funds:

1. Scientific Seminars. The NCI and the JSPS will support selected scientific seminars and workshops in fields that are rapidly developing or in need of development, on the basis of the proposals submitted by the coordinators of each area or by the principal advisors through the coordinators concerned, within the framework of the annual program approved by the Joint Steering Committee Meeting. The NCI and the JSPS will share the cost of these seminars including travel, living allowance, and other expenses of their own participants.
   
2. Exchange of Scientists. The NCI and the JSPS will support the exchange of a limited number of American and Japanese scientists either for a short-term period or a long-term period, on the basis of the proposals submitted in a similar way as prescribed in the preceding paragraph. Such exchange is not intended for training but for promoting cooperation. The NCI and the JSPS will pay the travel and living allowance of their own participants.
   
3. Exchange of Materials and Information. The NCI and the JSPS may promote and develop the exchange of materials and information between the scientists and clinical investigators in the two countries and share the cost of such exchanges.
   
4. Direct Collaboration. As an outgrowth of seminars and the exchange of scientists, direct collaborative activities may develop and these activities will be facilitated.
   
5. Others. The Program will not fund research projects or activities other than those listed above.

Procedure for Program Preparation

1. Within the framework of the overall plan of the Second Five-Year Program, the coordinators of each area will prepare a proposed annual program plan of their area, in consultation with the principal advisors, if necessary. Such a program plan should indicate priority subject matters of that program area as well as the proposed number of projects for each type of activity.
   
2. These proposed program plans will be submitted to the Joint Steering Committee through the respective implementing agencies. The Joint Steering Committee will consider these program plans as submitted and make recommendations.
   
3. Within the framework of the annual program plans considered by the Joint Steering Committee Meeting, the coordinators will prepare, in cooperation with principal advisors, specific proposals for each type of activity and submit them to the respective implementing agencies.
   
4. The implementing agencies will consult with each other and, if agreed, they will notify the coordinators concerned of their approval of the proposals, which then will be implemented.
   
5. For the first year of the Second Five-Year Program, a special procedure will be utilized by the NCI and the JSPS to facilitate the implementation of the cooperative program.