Clinical and Metadata Working Group

About

Key Objectives:

The ICGC ARGO Clinical Data Model sets the standard for how clinical data is submitted, structured, and governed across member programs. This working group implements the model and continues to develop it.

The group defines and revises standards for clinical data and sample quality, and works directly with data coordinators and curators to keep submission consistent. It sets the cohort metrics that qualify programs for ICGC ARGO membership, including rare cancer and genomic study requirements, convenes sub-working groups where clinical areas need focused development, and reviews and approves exceptions.

The Clinical and Metadata Working Group will oversee the implementation of the ICGC ARGO Clinical Data model, including data submission, data processing and data quality.

Working Group Leader(s) Name Institution and contact:

Hideaki Bando

National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan

Dr. Hideaki Bando is a medical oncologist and Head Physician in the Department of Gastroenterology and Gastrointestinal Oncology at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, Japan. He also serves as Director of the Division of Drug and Diagnostic Development Promotion, where he leads translational research and clinical development in precision oncology.

Dr. Bando is actively involved in international collaborations and clinical guideline development through organizations including JSMO, ESMO, and ASCO. As Chair of the ICGC ARGO Clinical and Metadata Working Group, he is committed to advancing international standards for clinical data harmonization and promoting the integration of multimodal molecular and clinical datasets across global cancer research initiatives. His current work aims to accelerate biomarker qualification, optimize MRD-guided clinical trial design, and advance next-generation precision oncology through international collaboration.

His research focuses on gastrointestinal cancers, molecular residual disease (MRD), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cancer genomics, and biomarker-driven clinical trials. Dr. Bando has played a leading role in several nationwide precision oncology initiatives, including SCRUM-Japan, and CIRCULATE-Japan, contributing to the development and clinical implementation of liquid biopsy technologies and multi-omics research. He has authored numerous high-impact publications in journals including Nature Medicine, Cancer Discovery, Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Clinical Cancer Research, and Med.

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Working Group Contact:

Amber Johns- amber@icgc-argo.org

Current Membership List:

Name

Institution

Country

Takayuki Yoshino

Leon Xiangyu Gao

National Cancer Center Hospital East

Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute

Japan

China

Amber Johns

Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Australia

Linda Xiang

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Canada

Lincoln Stein

Ontario Institute for Cancer Research

Canada

See-Hoon Lee

Andrew Biankin

Sandra Perdomo

Anna Dodd

Judith Dixon

Samsung Medical Center

University of Glasgow

International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)

UHN Princess Margaret Cancer Center

University of Glasgow

South Korea

France

Canada

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