Division of Biostatistical Research

Taro Shibata, Aya Kuchiba

Introduction

The Division of Biostatistical Research develops and adapts statistical research designs and methods and data resources to many types of cancer researches.

Biostatistics has a close connection with practical applications. A particular scientific research has its own specific issues and problems, and the developments of biostatistical methods are motivated and integrated with these subject-matter areas. Current methodological projects the investigators in the Division of Biostatistical Research work on are in various areas, including clinical trial database, clinical trial designs for immunotherapy, and molecular epidemiology. We also have roles of responsibility in many interdisciplinary studies for providing statistical and analytical expertise and for identifying new statistical problems. Such an environment of working on both methodological projects and practical applications is important for future developments of biostatistical research.

Research activities

Investigators in the Division of Biostatistical Research were actively involved in various types of projects in collaboration with researchers in the National Cancer Center (NCC). The projects include basic and laboratory researches, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies. We worked on identifying and solving statistical problems, and developing novel methodology.

Future prospects

Biostatisticians at the NCC have two key roles. The first is to contribute to providing the best evidence through planning and implementing statistical methods and providing statistical considerations in every stage of a subject-matter research project as a scientist. The second is to develop novel statistical and mathematical methods, motivated by methodological issues that arise in various scientific disciplines. While the Biostatistics Division at the Center for Research Administration and Support (Section directed by the NCC President) makes comprehensive efforts to work on both roles, the Division of Biostatistical Research at the Center for Public Health Sciences particularly focuses on the second role along with responsibility.

We endeavor to establish a powerful collaborative relationship with researchers throughout the NCC and to identify critical issues that the NCC needs to tackle.