HealthTree Foundation introduces HealthTree Research Hub, providing multiple myeloma researchers with real-world data

HealthTree Foundation, a global nonprofit organization, has announced the launch of the HealthTree Research Hub. This online research portal will provide ongoing real-world data (RWD) to researchers within the multiple myeloma community.

The HealthTree Research Hub will grant researchers access to a repository of anonymized data, sourced from more than 14,000 myeloma patients who contribute to the HealthTree Cure Hub patient portal. This data encompasses electronically imported electronic health record (EHR) data, including laboratory results, genetic information, prior treatment regimens, and outcome data, alongside patient-contributed data such as patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and demographic information. Patients can also participate in investigator surveys and studies within the HealthTree Cure Hub platform. To ensure data accuracy and reliability, a team of medical professionals at HealthTree will validate the collected information.

One of the distinguishing features of the HealthTree Research Hub is its establishment of an ongoing and interactive relationship between patients and researchers. This dynamic connection enables novel approaches to research, ultimately saving valuable time, resources and, potentially, lives.

According to Jenny Ahlstrom, CEO and Founder of HealthTree, the organization’s strong patient relationships and rigorous validation processes address traditional challenges associated with RWD, such as incomplete or inaccurate data.

She emphasized, “HealthTree Research Hub is the only tool that enables access to larger, more comprehensive and constantly updated data sets. Traditional RWD challenges of incomplete or inaccurate data, missing patient reported outcomes or lost-to-follow up issues are overcome because of the relationship HealthTree maintains with patients and its validation process.”

The HealthTree Research Hub has already begun facilitating numerous research projects for myeloma investigators, with plans to support over 100 projects in the next 20 months. Researchers are invited to submit proposals, with a call for multiple myeloma research proposals beginning on March 1, 2024.

Looking ahead, HealthTree aims to extend the Research Hub’s reach to encompass beta research projects in lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) in 2024, further advancing medical research and collaboration.

Dr Rafael Fonseca, Chief Innovation Officer at Mayo Clinic, commended HealthTree for its contribution to the research community, emphasizing that, “HealthTree Research Hub opens new doors to the research community by providing access to complete, validated RWD from both directly connected EHRs and patients themselves.”