Greater insight into international research data
10 september 2026
Since this summer, researchers at the Princess Máxima Center can not only see which research data are available within the Máxima, but also which data are available at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) in Germany. This strengthened international collaboration marks another step toward smarter childhood cancer research.
Childhood cancer is rare. But researchers need access to as much data as possible to draw reliable conclusions from their studies. That is why international collaboration and the smart use of existing data are so important in childhood cancer research.
Valuable information
A wealth of data is collected during the treatment of children with cancer. This includes information about tumor types, disease characteristics, treatments, and how children respond to those treatments. In addition, biobanks store tissue and blood samples, while imaging studies and clinical trials generate further research data. These data can provide valuable insights for new studies, but researchers first need to know that they exist.
Making better use of available knowledge
Thanks to a new connection with the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), researchers can now see not only which data are available within the Princess Máxima Center, but also which datasets, biobank materials, and other research resources are available in Heidelberg.
This makes it easier for partners within the EU CAN KIDS collaboration to launch joint research projects and to make better use of existing knowledge and data in childhood cancer research.
Exploring datasets
Several years ago, the Princess Máxima Center developed the DISQOVER platform as part of its data program to make research data easier to find. The platform brings together metadata from multiple sources and presents them in clear, searchable dashboards. Researchers can explore datasets using filters such as diagnosis, patient group, available biomaterials, or study period before submitting a formal data access request.
Inspiring new research ideas
The EU exchange project GRASSHOPPER played an important role in this expansion. As part of the project, Menno de Vries, Information Management Advisor and DISQOVER Project Lead, spent several months at KiTZ to establish the technical and organizational connections between the two institutions.
De Vries: ‘With this update, DISQOVER is no longer limited to data sources within the Princess Máxima Center. Researchers can now also see which data are available at KiTZ. This gives them a broader view of existing research resources. I hope that by improving access to information about available data, we can help inspire new ideas for childhood cancer research within the EU CAN KIDS collaboration.’
As a next step, the team will work on enabling researchers at KiTZ to view which research data are available at the Princess Máxima Center. They are also developing a connection with Institut Curie, another partner within EU CAN KIDS.
Access and consent
DISQOVER does not provide researchers with direct access to patient data. Instead, it shows which data are available for research purposes. Existing application procedures remain in place for access to data or biomaterials, including all requirements related to privacy, consent, and data protection.