Dr. Bahce had been contemplating the idea of a platform focused on lung cancer studies for some time. "Lung cancer is not only prevalent, but it also presents various mutations that can be targeted for treatment," he explains. "It's also highly immunogenic, leading to extensive research on both targeted and immunotherapeutic treatment options." However, he found it challenging to have a clear overview of available studies for lung cancer patients. "I wanted to have visibility into this landscape so that patients could be referred appropriately. In my opinion, there wasn't a good, centralized, and up-to-date overview of ongoing lung cancer studies." About two years ago, Dr. Bahce presented the idea of the platform for lung oncology studies to colleagues. "And it turned out that there was a clear need for such a platform among them as well."
Lung Cancer Research distinguishes itself through several unique features. It offers an intuitive filter-based search system, allowing healthcare providers to customize their search criteria. Additionally, the platform's content is curated by participating centers themselves, ensuring relevance and accuracy. This manual curation process prevents irrelevant studies from being included, enhancing the platform's utility for lung cancer specialists.
Moreover, the platform prioritizes keeping study information up-to-date. Participating centers are responsible for maintaining the accuracy of their listed studies, with oversight from the publisher. This proactive approach prevents outdated studies from cluttering the platform and streamlines the referral process for healthcare providers.
Since its soft launch, Lung Cancer Research has received positive feedback from the medical community. The platform aims to expand beyond academic centers, welcoming participation from peripheral centers and industry-sponsored studies. However, the editorial board emphasizes the importance of maintaining focus on lung cancer studies to ensure the platform remains a valuable resource.
Looking ahead, Lung Cancer Research plans to automate the data integration process, further enhancing efficiency and accuracy. The platform also features a news section to share updates and publications relevant to the lung cancer research community.
It's important to realize that the platform shouldn't become a showcase for all studies related to lung cancer. The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive and unique overview of studies for other centers to refer to."
Dr. Idris Bahce, Thoracic Oncologist and Associate Professor of the Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Research Group
Original article can be found in Oncologieuptodate 2024 - vol 15 - nummer 3 and was written by Drs. Bianca Hagenaars.
This article was translated for Cancer Center Amsterdam.