Abstract 1698: A million years of precision oncology knowledge for the world
Authors: Johns Amber ,   International Cancer Genome Consortium (ARGO Initiative)
Published: August 2019

Introduction: The most valuable information for someone with the diagnosis of cancer is the ability to predict which treatment will be most effective for them, and their prognosis. The most effective way to generate the knowledge required to do this for all people affected by cancer is to amass large datasets of deep molecular and detailed phenotypic data through health systems as part of routine care.

However, the pathways and processes are not in place and require development, with the paramount challenge being the acquisition and application of rich, reliable clinical data including treatment and response parameters.

Although multiple regional platforms have been established to generate cancer genomics data, no platform exists that can capture, aggregate, harmonize and appropriately share data globally to enable analysis of pooled individual participant data.

Method: The International Cancer Genome Consortium1, established in 2007, aimed to define the genomes of 25,000 primary untreated cancers. The ICGC solved numerous data governance, ethical and logistical challenges and provided the international community with comprehensive genomic data for many cancer types. The ICGC’s next Initiative -ARGO aims to Accelerate Research in Genomic Oncology to provide a million patient-years of precision oncology knowledge to the world. To achieve this, ICGC-ARGO will acquire detailed treatment and response information mostly from participants in clinical trials along with genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic data from their tumors and healthy tissues.

Results: ICGC membership already spans 28 countries, with new commitments to ARGO from 10 programmes investigating a range cancer types, comprising an estimate of 200,000 patient years of data. Regional Data Processing Centres are in operation in 4 countries to coordinate ICGC-ARGO data and to validate and process sequencing data through a standardized series of data analysis pipelines. A central site will integrate the various ICGC-ARGO data sets and disseminate to the community through the ICGC Data Portal. Policies and guidelines have been established that address the global challenges of clinical cancer genomics such as standardisation of clinical data parameters, data access structures, data composition and management and jurisdictional issues that impact global data sharing.

Conclusion: The data generated by ICGC ARGO member programmes will allow for precise correlation of molecular attributes with clinical features, allowing for the discovery of molecular markers of response, resistance and adverse events, as well as novel therapeutic targets. This knowledge will translate into new approaches to improve outcomes for people affected by cancer. The ICGC ARGO project will also address the challenges of generating and sharing genomic data matched with clinical and patient information on a global scale.

Citation Format: Amber Johns, International Cancer Genome Consortium (ARGO Initiative). A million years of precision oncology knowledge for the world [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1698.