New Database Shows promise for Streamlining Cancer Care & Accelerating Clinical Trial Access
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – september 27, 2025 - A newly developed comprehensive cancer database is demonstrating feasibility in streamlining patient care, consolidating critical data, and tracking survival outcomes across large health networks, as presented this week at the 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting. Researchers from a large healthcare system detailed the database’s potential to not only improve treatment personalization but also significantly accelerate the identification of patients eligible for relevant clinical trials.
The system, built across fourteen treatment facilities, currently consolidates data including cancer stage, disease sites, and treatments rendered. researchers are now focused on expanding the database to incorporate laboratory values and imaging data, aiming to create a richer, more comprehensive resource.
“Our study demonstrated that it was feasible; that we could consolidate all these data into 1 place,” explained lead researcher L. Tchelebi during the presentation. “Now, the goal is to make sure that this is done, utilizing all the different databases across our health system, and increasing the number of variables that are available.”
The potential impact extends beyond improved data management.The database’s ability to quickly identify eligible clinical trial candidates is a key benefit. Currently, determining trial eligibility requires a manual review of extensive patient records.This new system automates much of that process.
“A lot of data is needed about previous treatments that have been rendered, cancer stage, disease site, etc.Now, all of that is available in the database, so patients can be selected automatically for clinical trial eligibility,” Tchelebi stated.
Researchers envision the database as a powerful tool for personalizing cancer care, helping clinicians determine the “next best steps” in treatment based on a patient’s individual profile. They are actively exploring the myriad ways the software can be utilized to enhance patient outcomes.
“We are at the tip of the iceberg in terms of learning the various ways that we can use this software to enhance patient care and to personalize care for patients by determining what trials they might be eligible for and what the next best steps are in treatment based on their individual profile in the database,” Tchelebi concluded.
The team is now seeking adoption of the database by other healthcare systems nationwide, hoping to establish a broader network for collaborative research and improved patient care.
Reference:
Tchelebi L,Lindsay WD,Yee K,Wishinsky J,Labarca ME,Potters L. Building a comprehensive cancer database across fourteen treatment facilities in a large health care system. Presented at: 2025 American Society for Radiation Oncology annual Meeting; September 27-october 1, 2025; San Francisco, CA.
