Enhancing translational research in metastatic cancer through an open science environment: the UPTIDER experience

Translational research in metastatic cancer is limited by insufficient metastatic samples. Post-mortem tissue donation programs address this issue by facilitating comprehensive sample collection. Sustaining such programs requires an open science environment (OSE) to ensure multidisciplinary collaboration, research standards, and patient privacy. While often seen at publication, we demonstrate the benefit of developing upstream phases by presenting the OSE from our institutional post-mortem tissue donation program UPTIDER (NCT04531696). It contains (i) an electronic case report form to capture >750 clinical features including treatment lines and metastases, (ii) a lab information management system to track >100 metadata features from logistical to anatomical information, (iii) a code versioning system, (iv) long-term data and sample storage, and (v) code and data sharing upon publication. By ensuring latest access to information, our OSE reflects the potential to accelerate translational research. While our OSE was tailored for UPTIDER, we believe our experiences can inspire others.