Clinical Research at Penn Medicine Radiation Oncology
Welcome to the Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Unit (RadOnc CRU)
The mission of the Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Unit (RadOnc CRU) is to provide centralized resources and expertise to enhance the speed and quality of clinical research and operations, expand the portfolio of investigational therapies available to patients, and support investigators in conducting both sponsor-initiated and investigator-initiated studies.
We achieve this by offering project management and regulatory support, coordinating studies, and leveraging institutional and external resources to lead cancer clinical trials. This approach results in higher-quality outcomes, improved data integrity, and facilitates clinician participation by streamlining processes and providing comprehensive support.
RadOnc CRU streamlines the research process by offering trained staff and administrative support for key activities such as protocol development, patient recruitment, data collection, and regulatory compliance. We oversee the initiation, launch, conduct, and maintenance of all clinical research studies and trials within the Department’s portfolio that include a clinical component. This includes studies under the oversight of the Clinical Trials Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee (CTSRMC), Institutional Review Boards (IRB), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other applicable regulatory bodies. The CRU continues to manage studies through post-enrollment and data follow-up until completion.
Our multidisciplinary team includes regulatory specialists, project managers, clinical research nurses, data analysts, clinical research coordinators, and students. Together, we provide operational and strategic support for a wide range of studies—from investigator-initiated research (including retrospective and observational studies) to all phases of clinical trials (I–IV) and device studies. These studies vary in origin (investigator- or industry-initiated), disease site, stage, and complexity. Our involvement ranges from consultative support to full management of study activation and implementation. This includes assistance with protocol design, regulatory submissions, data management, and budget development, review and negotiation. We ensure all research activities adhere to ethical guidelines and regulatory requirements, including Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and we manage the day-to-day administrative and operational tasks so that clinicians can focus on patient care and research goals.
All RadOnc CRU staff are rigorously trained in accordance with Penn standards to ensure full compliance with all regulations and guidelines governing clinical research.
Contact Us:
Department of Radiation Oncology, Clinical Research Unit
4th Floor West, Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine
3400 Civic Center Boulevard
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Email: RadOncCRU@PennMedicine.upenn.edu
Donation
Philanthropic contributions are crucial in driving forward the research necessary to combat cancer, bridging the gap from foundational scientific insights to innovative therapies that enhance patient care. Every donation, regardless of size, empowers those impacted by cancer, spurring the vital efforts in our department and providing flexible resources to allow our team to prioritize this critical research immediately. If you consider honoring a cherished individual's memory or celebrating a supporter of your cancer journey with a gift to the Radiation Oncology Clinical Research Unit, know that your contribution will make a difference and be deeply appreciated.
For gift options, please use the button below, choose ‘Special Reason’, and mention ‘For CRU’ in the Comments box.
Current Active Clinical Studies
Clinical Studies Dashboard
Research Intake Forms
| Radiation Oncology Nursing Service Request | Radiation Oncology Clinical Trials Resource Request |
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For All Clinical Research General Inquiries/ Requests:
Please email: RadOncCRU@pennmedicine.upenn.edu