NET-QUBIC (Netherlands Quality of life and Biomedical Cohort) is a multi-center longitudinal cohort study in which head and neck cancer patients and their informal caregivers were followed from time of diagnosis up to 5 years follow-up. The aim is to advance research optimizing diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care for head and neck cancer patients and their informal caregivers.

The NET-QUBIC cohort encompasses 739 head and neck cancer patients and 262 informal caregivers, who were recruited in 5 Dutch University Medical Centers specialized in head and neck cancer and three regional hospitals. Head and neck cancer patients and their informal caregivers (mostly partners) were asked to complete an extensive collection of patient-reported outcome measures at baseline, 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after treatment. In addition, fieldwork data (extensive interview and tests) and biobank samples (blood, saliva, oral rinse) were collected at baseline, 6 months, 1, 2 and 5 year after treatment.

The primary objective of NET-QUBIC is to describe the long term course of QoL in newly-diagnosed cancer patients and their informal caregivers and to identify cancer-related, personal, biological, psycho-behavioural, physical, lifestyle-related, and social determinants of QoL. In addition, the objective is to facilitate HNC research by making NET-QUBIC data and samples available for other studies that aim to advance diagnosis, treatment and supportive care.

Website: Study website (in Dutch) and Researchers – Kubusproject (in English).

Contact person: Femke Jansen (data.netqubic@amsterdamumc.nl)