New VPR Registries and Initiatives

We are excited to announce that Minnesota has joined the Virtual Pooled Registry (VPR) initiative and is currently performing their first linkage. Nevada has also rejoined the VPR after a brief hiatus. This brings the number of VPR registries to 47, representing 96% of the U.S. population. A big thank you to all the participating registries for their contribution to the important studies coming through the VPR!

Over 25 studies have expressed interest in linking with participating VPR registries during the 2025 linkage cycle, which extends from January through August.  Studies will be linked on a first come, first served basis and registries will perform up to two linkages a month. To scale up the ability to process more linkages in the future without overburdening the registries, we are exploring the logistics of having the VPR perform automated linkages using Patient Preserving Record Linkage (PPRL) methodologies. This would eliminate the need to exchange Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and increase the timeliness and frequency of Phase I linkages.

The Virtual Pooled Registry Cancer Linkage System (VPR-CLS) is a secure online service designed to:

• efficiently connect researchers performing minimal risk linkage studies with multiple U.S. population-based cancer registries;
• perform linkages utilize a single cohort file, standard linkage software, and consistent matching algorithms;
• provide researchers with initial aggregate match count results across participating registries (Phase I); and
• streamline the process of applying for release of individual-level data on matched cases (Phase II).

To learn more about the VPR, visit https://www.naaccr.org/about-vpr-cls/.