NCI Computational Oncology
Working Group

The NCI Computational Oncology Working Group evolved from the original IOTN Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Working Group, which held meetings jointly with the Cancer Immune Monitoring and Analysis Centers and Cancer Immunologic Data Commons (CIMAC-CIDC) network. Initially led by Drs. Alan Hutson and Song Liu from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with Dr. Yi Xing, this group laid the groundwork for advancing computational oncology.

In September 2024, the working group was reestablished with Drs. Yi Xing, Riyue Bao, and Daoud Meerzaman as co-chairs. Drs. Xing and Bao oversee meetings in odd-numbered months, while Dr. Meerzaman leads the sessions in even-numbered months, in collaboration with CIMAC-CIDC.

The overarching objective of the Working Group is to advance the field of computational oncology by bridging computational advancements—spanning data science and AI—with applications in cancer research areas, such as immuno-oncology, therapy resistance, and prevention science. The Working Group integrates expertise across multiple NCI networks, bringing together researchers from diverse consortia, including IOTN, ARTNet, CAP-IT, and PSRC. It has become a dynamic and productive platform where experts and trainees alike can share recent findings, foster intellectual exchange, and forge new collaborations.

Previously, in September 2022, in partnership with CIMAC-CIDC and IOTN, and with support from the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center's U24, the NCI hosted a 2-day NCI Computational Oncology Workshop that attracted over 500 participants. This event culminated in a publication in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer (JITC) titled "Ten Challenges and Opportunities in Computational Immuno-oncology," underscoring the growing impact and relevance of computational methods in the study of cancer.