The need for a Summit Series is clear. Clinical trials are the key to delivering quality cancer care and offering benefits to patients and those at risk. Their role in developing new and improved detection and treatment options is paramount, as they minimize geographic and institutional variations in practice patterns and represent the only scientifically valid manner in which to establish treatment efficacy. In addition, external peer-review and audit functions, in organized cancer research, provide unparalleled degrees of institutional quality control and treatment monitoring.

However, along with the benefits, there are public concerns surrounding cancer trials that pose a threat to their continued existence. In response to these concerns, the Summit was originally convened and continues to meet, developing well-planned and practical solutions to better the current system. In response to the current clinical research environment, the Conveners refocused the direction of the Summit in 2007 towards raising awareness of the funding and infrastructure crisis and spurring action within this issue.

The mission of the Summit Series on Cancer Clinical Trials is to accelerate the delivery of new cancer prevention and treatment options to patients and everyone at risk for developing cancer. 

Based on feedback received from Summit X attendees, the Conveners focused the direction of the Summit towards raising awareness of the funding and infrastructure crisis and spurring action within this issue.  Objectives identified by both the Conveners and Summit X attendees include:

1. Synthesize, describe, and disseminate key clinical trial research and information.
2. Educate and provide education materials to the clinical trial community.
3. Monitor, track measures, analyze, and report on the clinical trial environment.
4. Gather, disseminate, and recognize best practices.
5. Impact future actions and policy surrounding the clinical trials environment.
6. Publicize, influence, and highlight the management of crisis situations.
7. Establish forums, task forces, and other supportive efforts to drive grass root initiatives.
8. Create more formal alliances and representation with all groups involved in cancer clinical trials.

The Summit is convened by the following organizations:

	American Society of Clinical Oncology The world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who treat people with cancer.
	Cancer Leadership Council A patient focused committee of national advocacy organizations working with public policy issues in cancer.
	Prevent Cancer Foundation The mission of Prevent Cancer Foundation is cancer prevention and early detection through research and education. The Foundation's commitment to prevention is fueled by the fact that while more than 70 percent of cancer is considered preventable, we are still diagnosing more than 1.3 million cases of the disease each year.
	Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups The Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and survival of cancer patients by increasing participation in cancer clinical trials. Through a variety of programs and services, the Coalition works to develop national partnerships, provide professional support services, and to educate patients and the public in order to meet its mission. Members of the Coalition include cooperative groups, patient advocate organizations, and cancer research and treatment centers.
	Oncology Nursing Society The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a national organization of more than 30,000 registered nurses and other health care professionals dedicated to excellence in patient care, teaching, research, and education in the field of oncology. The ONS Foundation's mission is to generate the financial resources to achieve the Oncology Nursing Society mission. The ONS Foundation's research funding is second only to the US government in funding nursing research.