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NIDDK dedicates $5,000,000 to fund new IC research studies

Unlike other studies which have focused on therapies and epidemiology, this RFA seeks to attract new investigators with different specialties to join the IC research movement and to apply their specific knowledge of inflammation, epithelial biology, cellular biology, molecular genetics, the physiology of pain, genomics and autoimmunity to the IC cause. It is hoped that the research produced will assist in the development of new diagnostic methods for IC and tools to predict the onset of IC, such as blood and urine tests. Ultimately, this will also provide valuable information that can be applied to new therapies and prevention strategies.

Topics of special interest include the etiology (cause) and pathogenesis (development) of IC; innovative diagnostic imaging studies; identification of disease markers and the molecular biology of IC; neurophysiology and bladder innervation and pain pathways; and the genetics of IC susceptibility, causality, and disease progression.

One area that some may find ethically challenging, yet others consider vital for research studies, is the development of animal models for the study of IC. Countless studies have discussed how the bladder reacts to injury. Sadly, this usually involved introducing an irritant into the bladder of an animal. There is significant concern among the medical community that this does not provide an accurate model of a human disease. I'm very pleased to see that this RFA is choosing a different route. Rather than focusing on using irritants, they hope to identify animal models based upon a genetic predisposition.

Let's take a closer look at what they hope to accomplish.

1. The etiology (cause) and pathogenesis (development) of IC is considered a vital area of exploration. Some of the funded research may also include the development of related disorders to IC, such as prostatitis, pelvic pain syndrome, IBSs, Crohns Disease, vulvodyniaa, etc.
2. Disease markers from the urine and biopsy samples of IC remains a strong emphasis, with the hope that these can be used to develop new specific tests to diagnose IC or identify patients at risk of IC.
3. Neurological studies are vitally important. Bladder neurophysiology is extremely complex. In the IC patient, they hope to better understand the pelvic pain pathways, and how it contributes to the more severe symptoms of IC.
4. The genetics of IC continues to be a priority. Previous studies have demonstrated a possible genetic cause for IC susceptibility. This RFA specifically encourages the study of twins.
5. Diagnostic imaging has not been particularly effective in the diagnosis of IC. This RFA encourages the development of new diagnostic and imaging techniques that will visualize and diagnose a bladder affected with IC.

Eligible applicants/institutions must have any of the following characteristics to apply for this round of funding.

• For-profit or non-profit organizations
• Public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
  and laboratories
• Units of State and local governments
• Eligible agencies of the Federal government
• Domestic or foreign

Applicants must also have a plan for data sharing. Data sharing is an important credibility check for studies. It reinforces open scientific inquiry, encourages diversity of data analysis and opinion, promotes new research, tests new and alternative hypotheses, and helps to tech new researchers.

Researchers must submit a letter of intent by January 21, 2003. Formal grant applications are then due on February 21, 2003. Once the formal grant applications are submitted, they will be evaluated by a peer review group convened by the NIDDK. Specifically, they will be reviewed for significance, approach, innovation, investigator qualifications, research environment, animal models, human, animal and environmental protections, inclusion, data safety, reasonableness of budget. The earliest anticipated start date is September 2003.

We, at the ICN, have always supported the needs of researchers both in the USA and abroad. Without their vital work, we would not have the promising treatments that we have today. This new round of studies represents a vital expansion, due in part to the advocacy of IC patients organizations around the world, particularly the ICA-US. We thank them all for their commitment to the IC cause. - Jill Osborne, ICN Founder & Editor