Submission guide
In the complex realm of patient-derived cancer models (PDCMs), including PDX, organoids, and cell lines, finding the right model and associated data has been a formidable challenge. Researchers, clinicians, and bioinformaticians have struggled to navigate this vast landscape, hindered by a lack of shared data standards.
CancerModels.Org is here to simplify this process. We harmonise and integrate critical model attributes, offering a unified platform for efficient searching across diverse resources. Building on the success of the PDX Finder resource PMID:30535239 and the PDX Minimal Information standard (PDX-MI, PMID:29092942), we're dedicated to enabling seamless data exchange and accelerating cancer research.
Why Submit Your Models and Data to CancerModels.Org:
- Increased Visibility: Your models and associated data becomes more discoverable to researchers and other users.
- Standardisation: Your models adhere to published standards, making it easier for researchers to search and compare them.
- Adherence to FAIR principles: Your data is structured to adhere to the FAIR data principles, which means it's Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.
- Attribution: Clear links to production centres are provided, so users can inquire about obtaining your models for their studies.
- Free Access: CancerModels.Org is a community-driven platform that's free for both model providers and users.
Eligible models and associated data
CancerModels.Org aggregates models from individual researchers, institutional biobanks, contract research organisations, external databases and consortia engaged in cancer research focusing on models from rare cancers and richly annotated models. All models and data should adhere to ethical and legal guidelines related to patient consent, data privacy, and data sharing. Since 1 January 2023 all model and data submissions are made available under CC0.
Data types and formats
| Data type | Description | Format | Submission template |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mutation | All sequencing data including WES, WGS & TGS used to generate mutation data for the PDCMs. | MAF, VCF |  Mutation data template |
| Copy Number Alteration | Data related to copy number alterations in PDCMs, which can provide insights into genomic amplifications and deletions. | log2 ratio or discrete CNA data (GISTIC, PICNIC) | CNA data template |
| Gene expression | Information regarding gene expression patterns in PDCMs, which can shed light on gene activity and regulation. | Excel, TXT or CSV: TPM, FPKM,RPKM, Z-score | Expression data template |
| Biomarker | Information related to gene mutations, gene expression levels, protein markers, immune cell populations, chromosomal abnormalities, structural changes in the genome and other molecular characteristics of tumours. This data is derived from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and immunohistochemistry. | Excel, TXT or CSV: Biomarker status, Immunohistochemistry results, TMB score | Biomarker data template |
| Immune markers | Information related to immune cell populations, chromosomal abnormalities, and other molecular characteristics of tumours. This data is derived from genomics, and immunohistochemistry. | Excel, TXT or CSV: MSI status, HLA type, TMB score | Immune marker template |
| Drug dosing | Information about drug dosing studies conducted on PDCMs, including drug names, responses and dosage information. | Excel, TXT or CSV | Drug dosing template |
| Patient treatment | Information related to the treatment patient received from whom PDCMs were derived. Include details of therapies administered, drug and regimen names, doses and their outcomes. | Excel, TXT or CSV | Patient treatment template |
| Image data | Histology Image data of the PDCMs | Excel file with URLs to model images per row |  Via BioImage Archive Model image sheet part of Metadata template |
Have data not mentioned here? Get in touch - we keep working on adding new data types associated with PDCMs.
Submit your PDCM data to CancerModels.Org to increase their visibility
To start the process please contact CancerModels.Org team: submissions 
Frequently Asked Questions
Read our submit process FAQ
Submission process
Learn more about our data submission process and additional resources