Population Studies Facility

Research Inst Of Fox Chase Can Ctr, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – SHARED RESOURCE: POPULATION STUDIES FACILITY Computer-based tools are vital to the success of many research studies, particularly those that collect large amounts of data or involve complex data collection protocols. The Population Studies Facility (PSF) supports FCCC research by providing critical informatics infrastructure and customized, project-specific information systems for FCCC members and leadership, CCSG-supported Shared Resources, the Office of Clinical Research (OCR), and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The PSF was rated "Exceptional" during the last review. A stable, cost-effective team of information systems professionals (8 staff members), directed by Eric Ross, PhD, provides state-of-the-art software design and engineering skills appropriate to cancer research. PSF functions include the development of: databases for the storage and manipulation of large quantities of questionnaire, clinical, molecular and specimen data; electronic data capture interfaces; report generation and data extraction software; quality control systems; web-enabled multimedia applications; and systems that provide integration and controlled exchange of data from diverse sources. The PSF is a critical component of the research infrastructure to which all FCCC members have ready access. The PSF has developed systems that maintain data on over 250,000 subjects. More than 141,000 were enrolled in FCCC studies within the US; the remainder in international cohort studies. From 2019-2023, the PSF supported 163 actively accruing studies and provided 33,781 informatics service hours to enhance the research of 137 FCCC members from all three Research Programs. From 11/1/2022-10/30/2023, the PSF provided 7,467 hours of informatics support to facilitate the research of 116 FCCC members, 10 CCSG-supported Shared Resources, clinical research informatics, and the research informatics infrastructure. The PSF supported the OCR by providing tools for electronic data collection and enhancing accruals to trials, providing real-time access to operational metrics, and transmission of data to the NCI-CTRP. The PSF expanded the Data Warehouse (DW) during the current cycle. The DW stimulates new collaborations and opportunities for translational and correlative research by integrating data from 24 research and clinical systems derived from over 400,000 individuals who received cancer treatment or screening at all TUHS locations or participated in FCCC studies. In 2019-2023, the PSF contributed to 177 manuscripts; many published in high-impact journals including, Journal of Clinical Oncology, JAMA Oncology, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, European Urology, Nature Communications and Nature Genetics. The PSF has access to an extensive, up-to-date computing environment including open source and commercial software engineering tools. Recommendations of a dedicated Facility Advisory Committee (FAC) are directed to a governing Facility Parent Oversight Committee (FPOC) that ensures the PSF has the resources needed to provide the highest quality informatics services. Demand for services is expected to increase during the next CCSG cycle due to recruitment to all three Research Programs.