{"id":2295,"date":"2022-02-21T11:49:38","date_gmt":"2022-02-21T10:49:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hartwigmedicalfoundation.nl\/?page_id=2295"},"modified":"2026-05-22T13:55:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T11:55:38","slug":"database","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hartwigmedicalfoundation.nl\/en\/data\/database\/","title":{"rendered":"Database"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We store the genetic and clinical data of thousands of patients in the Netherlands with metastatic cancer in the Hartwig Medical Database. The genetic data are generated using OncoAct. The hospitals that treat the patients provide the clinical data, including the treatment outcomes. The data is stored, processed and provided to third parties. It is the largest database of its kind in the world.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Research for improving cancer treatment  <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The data is anonymized and made available free of charge to cancer research institutes and hospitals. It is used by research groups all over the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Purpose of the database: to discover new biomarkers <\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The data is helping researchers to gain a better understanding of cancer. The huge amount of patient data enables them to recognize patterns. By establishing a relationship between DNA mutations, tumor characteristics, drugs and efficacy, researchers can discover new biomarkers. The outcome of this research are new treatment options, and improved treatment efficacy. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Generating data with WGS <\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We analyze each patient\u2019s DNA in both tumor and We generate the genetic data by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). By comparing, the generated genetic data of patient\u2019s DNA in  tumor and blood sample, mutations and other tumor characteristics are found. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Analyzing the data <\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We developed a state of the art IT pipeline for the bioinformatic data analysis. This allows us to analyze the WGS data at scale and harmonise large datasets. All software, including all the relevant documentation relating to the IT pipeline, is freely available on GitHub<\/a> and can be easily run on any architecture using the nf-core implementation oncoanalyser<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The oncoanlyser workflow and tools used in the Hartwig Medical Foundation IT pipeline (click on the image to enlarge it)\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Content of the database <\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The WGS data of over 8,000 patients are stored in the Hartwig Medical Database. This is the largest database of metastatic tumor whole genome data and continues to grow through routine diagnostics. The value for clinical research and care evaluation is derived from the combination of complete genetic data with treatment and outcome data.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The incidence of solid tumors in the Netherlands is reflected in the quantity and frequency of the tumor types in the database.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to molecular data, the database also contains an ever-growing list of tumor characteristics. Our processes are standardized from sample preparation to patient reporting assuring a highly consistent dataset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers can view an anonymized and up-to-date subset of data from the Hartwig Medical Database in the Hartwig Data Catalogue<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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