University of Limerick launches new cancer research collaboration

University of Limerick launches new cancer research collaboration. Dr Professor Aedín Culhane, University of Limerick , Professor Deirdre McGrath, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education and Health Sciencesand Professor Ruth Clifford is a Consultant Haematologist at UHL. Pic Arthur Ellis

A new cancer research ‘node’ launched at University of Limerick will use data to ‘save lives’, it has been announced

The inaugural All-Island Forum for Cancer Data was held this Tuesday at UL, a landmark event that brought together world-renowned experts in cancer research, data science, genomics, the biomedical industry and patient advocates to explore innovative uses of data to advance cancer research and improve patient outcomes.

Over 200 delegates were in attendance, including healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, industry leaders, and patient organisations.

The event was organised and hosted by the All-Island eHealth-Hub for Cancer and the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, which is based at UL.

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This All-Island eHealth-Hub for Cancer, funded by the North South Shared Island Programme, is led by Professor Aedín Culhane, Professor of Cancer Genomics at UL and Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health, Queen’s University Belfast. Their goal is to strengthen cross-border data sharing and collaboration in cancer data research.

At the event, the All-Island eHealth-Hub for Cancer announced the establishment of an Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics National Node, the first collection of research institutes of its type on the island of Ireland.

This will facilitate national and international cross border cancer data collaborations, empowering researchers from the island of Ireland to participate in large-scale, multi-centre cancer studies, while maintaining patient privacy and data security.

Professor Aedín Culhane said: “We are excited to organise and host this conference with the Limerick Digital Cancer Research Centre, which is innovating, tackling challenges head-on and pioneering an all-island approach to clinical genomics data infrastructure that will transform cancer care. By connecting data, we connect patients to innovative research, life-changing treatments, and clinical trials.

“This forum represents a unique opportunity for cross-sector collaboration examining innovative and affordable approaches to improve data-driven solutions to enhance outcomes for cancer patients across the island of Ireland.

“Building world-class infrastructure will take time. During this conference we have learnt best practices from world leaders. Through collaboration, we can harness the collective power of information to accelerate discoveries and improve outcomes for patients in the Mid-West and throughout the island of Ireland.”

Professor Mark Lawler said: “This is a watershed moment for cancer patients on the island of Ireland. Establishing this national node promotes us to the premier league, positioning us to benefit from the latest advances in data-informed cancer research.

“This will empower us to share data across the island and deploy the insights that we uncover to achieve earlier diagnosis, deliver better and more tolerated treatments and ensure enhanced quality-of-life and re-integration back into society. Make no mistake – data can save lives.”

The keynote address at the forum was delivered by Associate Professor Paul Nagy, Program Director of Informatics and Data Science, at Johns Hopkins University, USA, who focused on, ‘How Connected Data Saves Lives’.

Associate Professor Nagy’s research focuses on developing biomarkers from medical imaging, his talk explored how connecting clinical imaging data siloes will accelerate clinical research in oncology.  

“Medical imaging plays a crucial role throughout oncology from early detection, diagnosis, treatment planning, to assessing the effectiveness of treatment and monitoring.  Unfortunately, imaging has traditionally been treated as an isolated silo of data managed separately from clinical treatment information,” Associate Professor Nagy explained.

“Connecting medical imaging directly with clinical treatment data with open standards allows us to vastly accelerate the biomedical research cycle,” he added.