The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center's policy on data sharing for data derived with National Institutes of Health funding embodies two important principles. First, the responsible conduct of research demands timely data sharing, and second, only data that have been verified and validated with appropriate methodology should be shared. Therefore, we agree that all data and research findings can be made publicly available following peer review and after acceptance for publication. In the event that acceptance for publication is unduly delayed, data can be shared under restriction of confidentiality. In the event that the findings have significant consequences for public health and an expedited publication is not possible, we will work with the National Cancer Institute/National Institutes of Health to identify an appropriate venue for the dissemination of information.

For many research projects, all data are published in their entirety. For projects involving large data sets and some potentially irrelevant data such as those derived from microarray analysis, gene sequencing, and large human cohorts, only relevant data are published. In these cases, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center investigators will make available additional information upon request. In the event that complying with such requests entails significant use of resources and effort, reasonable compensation will be requested.

In the event that a query to an individual investigator is not answered in a timely fashion, the requesting entity can seek facilitation through the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center administrative offices by contacting its Communications Unit*.

All data sharing will be in conformance with the "privacy rule" of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In addition, we respect and comply with all UCSF institutional policies, including those of its Institutional Review Board, as well as with federal and state regulations.

* Postal mail can be sent to: Communications Manager, UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Box 0128, San Francisco, CA 94143.

adopted March 2004