C-PASS-PC: A Cloud-driven Prototype of Multi-Center Proactive Surveillance System for Prostate Cancer

Abstract: Currently there are many clinical trials using paper case report forms as the primary data collection tool. Cloud Computing platforms provide big potential for increasing efficiency through a web-based data collection interface, especially for large-scale multi-center trials. Traditionally, clinical and biological data for multi-center trials are stored in one dedicated, centralized database system running at a data coordinating center (DCC). This paper presents C-PASS-PC, a cloud-driven prototype of multi-center proactive surveillance system for prostate cancer. The prototype is developed in PHP, JQuery and CSS with an Oracle backend in a local Web server and database server and deployed on Google App Engine (GAE) and Google Cloud SQL-MySQL. The deploying process is fast and easy to follow. The C-PASS-PC prototype can be accessed through an SSL-enabled web browser. Our approach proves the concept that cloud computing platforms such as GAE is a suitable and flexible solution in the near future for multi-center clinical trials.