Real-World Data
Advances in the availability of real-world data (RWD) sources – such as electronic health records, registries, or feedback from wearables and mobile technology – have increased the potential to evaluate implementation of innovative diagnostics or therapeutic applications in regular care. These range from preventive interventions through biomarker-validation and innovative systemic -and technological interventions to survivorship care.
As such, knowledge on outcome of various kinds of interventions in populations outside clinical trials, is obtained. Added to that, it creates a deeper understanding of their economic implications through Health Technology Assessment.
Our real-world data (RWD) infrastructure integrates research into routine care, enabling us to learn from each patient and improve their outcomes.
Breakthroughs and impact
Patients or their representatives for children and caregivers for animals, are systematically asked to consent to the use of clinical data, patient-reported outcomes and evaluation, and blood/tissue banking. This consent is performed via an (e-)consult at the “innovation clinic” or during regular hospital visits. Patients may give broad consent for future studies, allowing them to be offered future experimental interventions if eligible This approach generates large representative, GDPR proof study populations and serves as a multi-trial facility for comparison of effectiveness of new interventions against standard care as well as insight in survivorship issues.
Veterinary cohorts
At the UU Animal Cancer Centre, clinical oncological specialists and researchers work together to provide specialized cancer treatments to veterinary patients. Annually, ~600 consultations are conducted for pets (dogs, cats) and other animals, and ~150 new patients receive tailored treatments, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy. New research that has shown relevance for human patients has been enabled by veterinary cohorts, including studying chemoresistance in canine lymphoma patients, and holmium therapy against canine melanoma. The OnGo group leads such comparative oncology research .
Childhood cohorts
The Princess Máxima Center is also known for large clinical cohorts (incl. biobanks) and epidemiological studies of children with cancer and survivors, performing (eHealth) interventions and implementation studies, and developing systematic reviews, guidelines and outcome indicators. Research is embedded and performed within local, national (LATER study group), and international networks, among which the pan-European PanCare network and the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group (IGHG).
Adult cohorts
At the large UMC Utrecht, real-world data cohorts of nearly all types of cancer are available, with a strong focus on evaluating innovative systemic (drug)- and technological (image guided) treatments. Some of these cohorts include adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors, Dutch multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN), MRI-linac (Momentum), colorectal cancer (PLCRC), melanoma (UNICIT), breast cancer (UMBRELLA) cohorts.
Next generation experts
Our responsibility includes educating and training the next generation of researchers to create a dynamic environment in which innovative science will continue contributing to an ever-improving outcome for our patients.
PhD-programme
Within the Graduate School of Life Sciences we offer the following PhD programme tailored to this goal:
Students can also visit our other PhD programmes or Master's programmes.