TY - JOUR T1 - Utilisation of a thoracic oncology database to capture radiological and pathological images for evaluation of response to chemotherapy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma JF - BMJ Open JO - BMJ Open DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001620 VL - 2 IS - 5 SP - e001620 AU - George B Carey AU - Stephanie Kazantsev AU - Mosmi Surati AU - Cleo E Rolle AU - Archana Kanteti AU - Ahad Sadiq AU - Neil Bahroos AU - Brigitte Raumann AU - Ravi Madduri AU - Paul Dave AU - Adam Starkey AU - Thomas Hensing AU - Aliya N Husain AU - Everett E Vokes AU - Wickii Vigneswaran AU - Samuel G Armato III AU - Hedy L Kindler AU - Ravi Salgia Y1 - 2012/01/01 UR - http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/5/e001620.abstract N2 - Objective An area of need in cancer informatics is the ability to store images in a comprehensive database as part of translational cancer research. To meet this need, we have implemented a novel tandem database infrastructure that facilitates image storage and utilisation. Background We had previously implemented the Thoracic Oncology Program Database Project (TOPDP) database for our translational cancer research needs. While useful for many research endeavours, it is unable to store images, hence our need to implement an imaging database which could communicate easily with the TOPDP database. Methods The Thoracic Oncology Research Program (TORP) imaging database was designed using the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) platform, which was developed by Vanderbilt University. To demonstrate proof of principle and evaluate utility, we performed a retrospective investigation into tumour response for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients treated at the University of Chicago Medical Center with either of two analogous chemotherapy regimens and consented to at least one of two UCMC IRB protocols, 9571 and 13473A. Results A cohort of 22 MPM patients was identified using clinical data in the TOPDP database. After measurements were acquired, two representative CT images and 0–35 histological images per patient were successfully stored in the TORP database, along with clinical and demographic data. Discussion We implemented the TORP imaging database to be used in conjunction with our comprehensive TOPDP database. While it requires an additional effort to use two databases, our database infrastructure facilitates more comprehensive translational research. Conclusions The investigation described herein demonstrates the successful implementation of this novel tandem imaging database infrastructure, as well as the potential utility of investigations enabled by it. The data model presented here can be utilised as the basis for further development of other larger, more streamlined databases in the future. ER -