For Researchers

Clinical Research Information Systems Research Studies

Prostate Clinical Research Information System (CRIS) and Specimen Tracking Inventory Program (STIP)

The Prostate Clinical Research Information System (CRIS) was developed at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to enhance the clinical care and research of the Genitourinary Oncology department. The first CRIS application went live in February 1997.

The Prostate CRIS was designed to collect, store, and access clinical, treatment, and outcomes data on patients with prostate cancer treated at DFCI and Dana-Farber/Partners Cancer Center Hospitals. Prostate CRIS captures the patient's demographics, initial diagnosis date, symptoms, progressions, PSA values, radiological studies, surgical procedures, pathology, staging, physical examination, disease and treatment status, family history, and research protocol enrollment. Ongoing communication between medical oncologists and clinical research coordinators ensures that the database is up to date and accurate.

The Specimen Tracking Inventory Program (STIP) is an integrated system that allows clinicians and researchers to record the collection and storage status of all specimens received from research participants. The STIP connects the samples in the specimen bank to the clinical information in CRIS. By integrating the clinical database with our blood and tissue banks, we are able to reveal mechanisms of the disease.

Since 2001, around 4,900 patients have been consented to our Prostate study. As of September 2007, we have acquired frozen prostate tissue and paraffin blocks from 1,450 patients.

Renal Clinical Research Information System (CRIS) and Specimen Tracking Inventory Program (STIP)

With the success of the Prostate CRIS and STIP databases, Dana-Farber opened CRIS and STIP databases for renal cancer patients in March 2006. Like the Prostate CRIS, Renal CRIS captures all relevant medical information and allows for ongoing communication between oncologists and clinical research coordinators. Renal STIP also collects blood, tissue, and urine samples, allowing us to integrate data from Renal CRIS and samples from Renal STIP to better understand renal cancer and possible treatments.

Since 2001, a total of 1,209 patients have been consented to our Renal study, with more participating each year. We have acquired frozen renal tissue and paraffin blocks from 461 patients.

Research Studies

All new Dana-Farber patients with prostate or renal cancer are asked to participate in a research study that analyzes the biology of the diseases. Patients who consent to the study can choose to give permission for:

• collection and storage of blood samples
• access to discarded tissue related to any previous surgery
• access to their clinical information for research purposes
• further contact with them or their families regarding their status, or for future research.

See a list of recently completed and ongoing studies.

Learn more about the CRIS database and our ongoing studies. (PDF)