Pioneering Data-Driven Personalized Cancer Treatments
Researchers from the University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, and University Hospital Basel have completed a groundbreaking study using nine molecular biology techniques to analyze tumors in detail. By examining over 43,000 data points per tumor, they were able to create a comprehensive tumor profile within four weeks. This detailed profiling helps doctors choose the most effective, personalized treatment for each patient. Current cancer treatments rely heavily on established guidelines, but these do not always point to the best therapy for every individual, especially when standard options have been exhausted.
The Tumor Profiler project goes beyond traditional methods by analyzing tumors at the single-cell level, looking at DNA, RNA, and proteins to better understand the tumor’s biology. This approach also allows clinicians to consider treatments typically used for other cancers.
The study involved 116 patients and showed that tumor profiling results were ready quickly enough to support clinical decisions. In 75 percent of cases, oncologists found the data valuable in selecting treatment options. Patients whose therapies were based on these profiles responded more often to treatment, highlighting the promise of this personalized approach.
This research marks a major step forward in precision oncology, bringing us closer to data-driven medicine that can predict the most effective therapies for cancer patients.
Interested in learning more about the topic? Read the original article published by the University Hospital Zurich, or view the publication in nature medicine.