Oncology - Pharmacoepidemiologic studies

Database Research Opportunities
Pharmacoepidemiology and outcomes research provide methods to monitor post-marketing drug use for important safety issues not detectable in
pre-marketing studies, as well as a framework to examine the effectiveness of drugs as used in everyday practice. There is a need for new data sources that make this type of research possible in the area of oncology.

New database linkages
The PHARMO Institute has created two linkages that create new powerful data sources which
can be used to shed light on the diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of treatment of cancer:

  • Linkage of the Dutch National Pathology Registry (PALGA) to the PHARMO Record Linkage System (PHARMO RLS)1-3
  • Linkage of the Eindhoven Cancer Registry to the PHARMO RLS4-6

Both database linkages have been used in multiple published pharmacoepidemiologic studies in the area of oncology and are continuously being used. A few examples of these studies are presented below:

  1. Effect of concomitant CYP2D6 inhibitor use and tamoxifen adherence on breast cancerrecurrence in early-stage breast cancer. Dezentjé VO, van Blijderveen NJ, Gelderblom H et al., J Clin Oncol, 2010, 28(14): 2423-9.
  2. Is statin use associated with a reduced incidence, a reduced Breslow thickness or delayed metastasis of melanoma of the skin? Koomen ER, Joosse A, Herings RM et al., Eur J Cancer, 2007, 43(17): 2580-9.
  3. Estrogens, oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy increase the incidence of cutaneous melanoma: a population-based case-control study. Koomen ER, Joosse A, Herings RM et al., Ann Oncol, 2009, 20(2): 358-64.
  4. Incidence of cardiovascular events in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in clinical practice. Sukel MP, Breekveldt-Postma NS, Erkens JA et al., Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf, 2008, 17(2): 125-34.
  5. New opportunities for drug outcomes research in cancer patients: The linkage of the Eindhoven Cancer Registry and the PHARMO Record Linkage System. Van Herk-Sukel MP, van de Poll-Franse LV, Lemmens VE et al., Eur J Cancer, 2010, 46(2): 395-404.
  6. Half of breast cancer patients discontinue tamoxifen and any endocrine treatment before the end of the recommended treatment period of 5 years: a population-based analysis. Van Herk-Sukel MP, van de Poll-Franse LV, Voogd AC et al., Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2010, 122(3): 843-51.


Please contact us for more information:  pharmo@pharmo.nl