Uncovering the natural history of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer: clinicians and researchers join forces
Clinicians and researchers are joining forces in a virtual studyathon to explore the natural history of prostate cancer in a large dataset of patients from across the globe. Clinicians, epidemiologists and other researchers are invited to take part.
The aim is to:
– study the clinical management of prostate cancer.
– support clinicians and researchers with better data on the possible outcomes of different treatment options.
– explore the potential to generate and validate more accurate prediction algorithms based on data from Europe, the USA and other parts of the globe.
Unfortunately, there is still surprisingly little data at scale on what the ‘natural history’ (progression of the disease in absence of treatment) is and how co-morbidities (other life-threatening medical conditions) influence the life expectancy of patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. It would greatly aid shared-decision making between clinicians and patients to have a better understanding of which patients will pass away as a result of prostate cancer versus other causes, to establish where treatment would be most effective and to avoid unnecessary interventions for patients.
Joint forces to study the clinical management of prostate cancer
To achieve this clinicians and researchers are joining forces in a virtual studyathon to explore the natural history of prostate cancer in a large dataset of patients from across the globe. The aim of the studyathon is to support clinicians and researchers with better data on the possible outcomes of different treatment options and to explore the potential to generate and validate more accurate prediction algorithms based on data from Europe, the USA and other parts of the globe.
New big data approaches pioneered by OHDSI and EHDEN are changing the way in which medical evidence is generated through systematic large-scale data analysis in health data sources globally. In particular, a studyathon is a focused event in which a large-scale study, which traditionally takes many months to complete, is executed and completed in a few days. This approach has recently been successfully applied to studies in rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension and COVID-19 (see links below), and we now aim to do the same for prostate cancer. Movember is supporting this project too with project design ideas drawn from their experiences in multidisciplinary, global collaboration.
Via PIONEER and EHDEN, datasets with healthcare records for more than 1 million patients with prostate cancer are already accessible for the studyathon, but we are seeking additional data sources with longitudinal data, especially those converted to the OMOP Common Data Model to join this effort. Clinicians, epidemiologists and other researchers interested in this question are also invited to take part.
The studyathon itself will be a five day virtual event on 8-12 March 2021, with sessions every day focused on literature review, phenotype definition, analytics and results interpretation, and will follow the OHDSI approach. Please register your interest via this link and join us in this journey!
The projects
PIONEER (Prostate Cancer DIagnOsis and TreatmeNt Enhancement through the Power of Big Data in EuRope) is a European project focused on using big data to improve the clinical understanding and inform the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, funded through IMI2 JU, and is listed under grant agreement No. 777492.
EHDEN (European Health Data & Evidence Network) is a European project focused on generating medical insights at scale from real-world clinical data, funded through IMI2 JU, and is listed under grant agreement No. 806968.
OHDSI (Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics) is a multi-stakeholder, interdisciplinary open science collaborative aiming to bring out the value of health data through large-scale analytics. Earlier studyathons have resulted in publications in amongst others The Lancet Rheumatology, The Lancet Digital Health and Nature Communications.
PIONEER and EHDEN are funded through the IMI2 Joint Undertaking. This joint undertaking receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA.
How the government’s draft of the Growth Opportunities Act refines the research allowance
Government draft of the Growth Opportunities ActThe government draft of the submitted Growth Opportunities Act has once again undergone a significant redesign compared to the draft bill (§ 33 from p. 71). The revision regarding the Research Grants Act rewards small...
SYNERGISE for Improved Disaster Management
Internationally Funded Project to Develop an Integrated Toolkit for Improved Management of Natural and Man-Made Disasters Kicks-Off TodayTo boost the efficiency and safety of first responders during life-saving missions, the SYNERGISE team will develop a Novel...
Junior Innovation Consultant (m/f/d)
We offer you the unique opportunity to become part of a dynamic team in the attractive field of innovation and research. We are looking for Innovation Consultants with a passion for innovation, scientific writing and project management. This position is for recent...
PIONEER Big Data in Prostate Cancer Platform Opens up to Asian Data Sets
PIONEER and the Chinese University of Hong Kong Started a Big Data Collaboration to Fight Prostate Cancer WorldwideThe European funded prostate cancer project PIONEER – Big Data in Prostate Cancer and the Faculty of Medicine of The Chinese University of Hong Kong have...
Senior Innovation Consultant (m/f/d)
We offer you the unique opportunity to become part of a dynamic team in the attractive field of innovation and research. We are looking for specialists with a passion for innovation, scientific writing and project management. This position is for experienced...
Business Developer (m/f/d)
We are looking for specialists in business development with a strong sales talent and an interest in innovation, research and science. This position is for recent graduates or experienced professionals and involves assisting clients from a variety of industries with...
Great honour for HYFLEXPOWER
HYFLEXPOWER has received the COGEN Europe Recognition Award 2023 for the Technology & Innovation category. The COGEN Europe Recognition Awards provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations to gain recognition for their achievements in developing,...
CARAMBA: New Hope for Multiple Myeloma Patients
CARAMBA: the European pioneer for virus-free CAR-T cell immunotherapy against multiple myelomaOn 30th June 2023, the EU-funded project CARAMBA is coming to an end, marking five years of challenges and successes in the mission to revolutionise multiple myeloma...
Study Reveals Influence of Urban Environment on Mental Health
New Study Reveals Urban Environment May Influence Mental Health Through Neurobiological PathwaysA groundbreaking new study has shed light on how urban environments can impact mental health through complex neurobiological pathways. The study conducted by researchers...
ForestNavigator – Designing policies addressing the forest sector for achieving EU climate goals
Designing robust policy pathways to support EU climate goalsThe Horizon Europe ForestNavigator project will bring together a varied group of stakeholders at IIASA this week. They will discuss how they can help design robust policy pathways to achieve medium and...