TARGET Publication Guidelines

Like other NCI large-scale genomics initiatives, TARGET is a community resource project and data are made available rapidly after validation for use by other researchers. To act in accord with the Fort Lauderdale principles and support the continued prompt public release of large-scale genomic data prior to publication, researchers who plan to prepare manuscripts containing descriptions of TARGET pediatric cancer data that would be of comparable scope to an initial TARGET disease-specific comprehensive, global analysis publication, and journal editors who receive such manuscripts, are strongly encouraged to coordinate their independent reports with TARGET's publication schedule. Specifically, comparable scope is defined as global genome-wide analysis of TARGET disease-specific data from one or more than one platform or a trans-TARGET manuscript.  Publication involving such analyses is restricted prior to each of the first TARGET disease-specific publication as described below.

Use of TARGET Data in Manuscripts Prior to Disease-Specific Initial TARGET Integrated Analysis Publication

Use of TARGET Data in Manuscripts After Each Disease-Specific Initial TARGET Integrated Analysis Publication

Use of TARGET Data for Research Purposes other than Publication

TARGET Program Attribution in Publications and Presentations

Use of TARGET Data in Manuscripts Prior to Disease-Specific Initial TARGET Integrated Analysis Publication

Prior to the publication of comprehensive analysis on a specific tumor type, available datasets are pre-publication subject to the standard principles of scientific etiquette regarding publication of findings using unpublished data from other sources.  The first paper authored by each TARGET subproject team (http://ocg.cancer.gov/programs/target/projects), includes the data and analysis from a majority (~90%) of qualified TARGET cases. Specifically, these manuscripts report on the comprehensive, integrated analysis of multiple TARGET datasets available including, but not limited to:

• Copy number variation, gene and miRNA expression, promoter methylation and DNA sequence/mutation analysis or a combination thereof; or
• An analysis of data from a single platform across more than one tumor type whose first paper as defined above has not yet been published 

NOTE: Investigators may only publish a manuscript before the TARGET project teams have published their global analysis on that tumor type IF the publication uses a very limited dataset (less than 5 genes) or the author has received written approval from the appropriate TARGET disease project team leaders. Investigators should submit their abstract and request to OCG by emailing ocg@mail.nih.gov

All use and publications based on TARGET data are required to follow the Data Use Limitations outlined in the TARGET Data Use Certification (DUC) at dbGaP, i.e. the study of pediatric cancers only. These results may include, but would not be limited to, integrating TARGET data with data from other sources, particularly in efforts to study the role of specific genes and genomic changes in the biology of pediatric cancers. As stated in the Data Use Limitations, data cannot be used for method development or population studies.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) does not consider the deposition of data from TARGET, like those from other large-scale genomic projects, into its own Data Portal or public databases as the equivalent of publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Therefore, although the data are available to others, the producers consider these data as unpublished until their disease project manuscripts become available and further expect that the data will be used in accord with standard scientific etiquette and practices concerning unpublished data. Below is the list of tumor data sets, which have been published and use of the data is not restricted. We shall update the list when the first global manuscript for each tumor is accepted for publication. If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact ocg@mail.nih.gov.

Use of TARGET Data in Manuscripts After Each Disease-Specific Initial TARGET Global Analysis Publication

There are no restrictions on the use of TARGET data in manuscripts after the initial TARGET global analysis publication if the data are used specifically within the Data Use Limitations. Data can only be used for pediatric cancer studies and not for method development or population studies.

Use of TARGET Data for Research Purposes other than Publication

There are no restrictions on the use of TARGET data for legitimate research purposes not involving publication or public presentation. For example, researchers may use TARGET data in research grant applications at any time with appropriate acknowledgement (see below), regardless of whether the initial TARGET global analysis has been published.

TARGET Program Attribution in Publications and Presentations

TARGET requests that authors who use data from TARGET acknowledge the appropriate Project Team(s) in their work by referencing the TARGET dataset in accordance with the DUC posted at dbGaP (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?study_id=phs000218).  Inclusion of the Network in the authorship list is not required. If investigators desire to collaborate with TARGET members, they should contact the specific project team. Authors are also encouraged to recognize the contribution of the appropriate specimen donors and research groups via the acknowledgements section in their publication. Similarly, the TARGET Program requests that journal editors and reviewers attempt to ascertain if TARGET is cited and if appropriate acknowledgements are made.

For questions, please contact the TARGET Publications Committee through the Program Office at ocg@mail.nih.gov.