The National Cancer Institute called for quality assurance (QA) imaging and radiotherapy core services centers to be an integral component of its National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN). The opportunity brought together QA leaders and specialists to establish the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC): a single, coordinated program designed to support the NCTN groups carry out rigorous oncologic multi-center clinical trials.

Specifically, IROC’s charge is to provide:

• Scientific expertise in advanced medical imaging, radiotherapy, and information technology to support establishment of appropriate QA procedures
• Consultation to the NCTN groups in the development of research protocols early on in the process to assist with hypothesis generation and trial design that can be supported by effective  QA programs
• Resources for the efficient collection, qualification, analysis, archive and transfer of images, radiotherapy plans and associated clinical data
• Qualification and credentialing policies and to help ensure the delivery of appropriate protocol-specified radiotherapy and advanced imaging.

In addition to supporting NCTN research activities, IROC may be called upon to carry out quality assurance activities for other NCI-sponsored research.