Ryan D. Gentzler, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, UVA Cancer Center
In this edition of Grand Rounds in Hematology and Oncology from October 2022, Patrick M. Dillon, MD, University of Virginia Hematology & Oncology, Charlottesville, Virginia, introduces Ryan D. Gentzler, MD, MS, Associate Professor, UVA Cancer Center, Charlottesville, Virginia. In this 53-minute presentation, Dr. Gentzler delivers an informative and comprehensive update on the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN), emphasizing its central role in the early-phase drug development pipeline supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The talk ends with a Q&A discussion.
Dr. Gentzler outlines how the network—structured around Lead Academic Organizations (LAOs) such as Johns Hopkins and partner sites like UVA—functions to advance novel anticancer agents, particularly through NCI-held Investigational New Drug applications.
Gentzler highlights UVA’s participation in the Johns Hopkins LAO, detailing the grant structure, performance expectations, accrual metrics, authorship opportunities, and the significance of Letter of Intent (LOI) submissions for trial proposals. He stresses the importance of collaboration, site commitment, and junior investigator involvement and offers practical advice on identifying trial opportunities, connecting with NCI drug monitors, and navigating the LOI process effectively.
Dr. Gentzler also describes the availability of centralized laboratory resources, including genomic assays, circulating tumor DNA analysis, and leadership development programs designed to train the next generation of clinical trialists. He recognizes high-performing teams and reaffirms the institution’s commitment to advancing early-phase oncology research within the ETCTN framework