The Cancer Epidemiology Descriptive Cohort Database: A Tool to Support Population-Based Interdisciplinary Research.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

We report on the establishment of a web-based Cancer Epidemiology Descriptive Cohort Database (CEDCD). The CEDCD's goals are to enhance awareness of resources, facilitate interdisciplinary research collaborations, and support existing cohorts for the study of cancer-related outcomes.

METHODS:

Comprehensive descriptive data were collected from large cohorts established to study cancer as primary outcome using a newly developed questionnaire. These included an inventory of baseline and follow-up data, biospecimens, genomics, policies, and protocols. Additional descriptive data extracted from publicly available sources were also collected. This information was entered in a searchable and publicly accessible database. We summarized the descriptive data across cohorts and reported the characteristics of this resource.

RESULTS:

As of December 2015, the CEDCD includes data from 46 cohorts representing more than 6.5 million individuals (29% ethnic/racial minorities). Overall, 78% of the cohorts have collected blood at least once, 57% at multiple time points, and 46% collected tissue samples. Genotyping has been performed by 67% of the cohorts, while 46% have performed whole-genome or exome sequencing in subsets of enrolled individuals. Information on medical conditions other than cancer has been collected in more than 50% of the cohorts. More than 600,000 incident cancer cases and more than 40,000 prevalent cases are reported, with 24 cancer sites represented.

CONCLUSIONS:

The CEDCD assembles detailed descriptive information on a large number of cancer cohorts in a searchable database.

IMPACT:

Information from the CEDCD may assist the interdisciplinary research community by facilitating identification of well-established population resources and large-scale collaborative and integrative research. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 25(10); 1392-401. ©2016 AACR.

• Authors: Amy E Kennedy, Muin J Khoury, John P A Ioannidis, Michelle Brotzman, Amy Miller, Crystal Lane, Gabriel Y Lai, Scott D Rogers, Chinonye Harvey, Joanne W Elena, Daniela Seminara
• Journal: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev) Vol. 25 Issue 10 Pg. 1392-1401 (10 2016) ISSN: 1538-7755 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 27439404 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: ©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.

Topics

• Databases, Factual
• Female
• Humans
• Interdisciplinary Research (methods)
• Internet
• Male
• Neoplasms (epidemiology)