From bench to byte: A UK perspective on data-driven cancer research

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Health Informatics
• Data Science

Background:

• Cancer research is rapidly evolving due to vast increases in clinical, genomic, imaging, and real-world data.
• The European Health Data Space (EHDS) implementation necessitates effective data integration, governance, and translation for future oncology.
• Technological advancements alone are insufficient; trust, infrastructure, and supportive cultures are vital for data-intensive cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a connected and collaborative cancer data science ecosystem in partnership with Cancer Research UK (CRUK).
• To identify and address common obstacles in health system data, data reuse, public involvement, infrastructure, and training.
• To showcase how integrated datasets, AI, international collaboration, and federated approaches are transforming cancer research and care.

Main Methods:

• Establishing the CRUK Data Science Community and its Data Interest Groups.
• Highlighting cross-disciplinary challenges in cancer data.
• Presenting case studies on data integration, AI analytics, international collaboration, and federated approaches.

Main Results:

• Identification of key obstacles in health system data, data reuse, public involvement, infrastructure, and training.
• Demonstration of AI-enabled analytics and federated approaches reshaping cancer research.
• Showcasing the impact of integrated datasets and international collaboration on clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• A community-led approach to trustworthy, sustainable, and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data access is crucial.
• The UK has a significant opportunity to leverage data-driven research for the benefit of cancer patients.
• Fostering collaboration and addressing data challenges are essential for unlocking the full potential of cancer data science.