Multicenter cooperative study group in hematology in Japan: the 10-year history and role of the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group in Japan.

Leukemia is an uncommon disease. In order to conduct a scientific clinical study, a large number of patients is required for reliable statistical analysis, and therefore, multicenter cooperative study is indispensable in leukemia. Not only in the field of hematology/oncology but also in other fields of clinical medicine, well-functioning clinical study groups are still rare in Japan. In this review, the reason why the organization of multicenter cooperative study groups is difficult in Japan is analyzed. Then the 10-year experience of a self-supporting and quite successful cooperative study group, the Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group, is reviewed. Finally, the next steps for the Group and the way it might be successfully led are discussed.