Will West’s Post

🚀 Advancing Cancer Treatment: MULTIR's Pioneering Approach and Collaborative Impact 🚀 🔬 The MULTIR EU Project is at the forefront of cancer #research, ready to revolutionize our understanding of tumor-host interactions. Unlike traditional studies that focus on a single tumor type, MULTIR ambitiously compiles comprehensive data on melanomas, lung and bladder cancers. This innovative approach acknowledges that most drugs target specific molecular characteristics regardless of the tumor's origin, enabling MULTIR to precisely identify key elements of tumor-host interactions that are responsible for therapeutic response. 🌐 The main strength of MULTIR lies in its multidisciplinary team, which includes top clinicians, immunologists, omics experts, digital technologists, social scientists, and patient representatives from 10 EU countries and beyond. This diverse expertise ensures a holistic approach to the complex challenge of cancer treatment. 🔍 The project is carefully designed to use, on one hand, existing multi-layered data (epidemiological, genetic, clinical, pathological, imaging, and molecular) from major studies on these tumors, and on the other hand, data from clinical trial cohorts conducted by involved partners. Using advanced #AI-based approaches, MULTIR aims to uncover functional modules that regulate tumor-host interactions. These groundbreaking discoveries will then be validated in synthetic models and patients, ensuring robust and applicable results. 🌍 A key feature of MULTIR is its extensive outreach plan, which facilitates the rapid transfer of project results to society. By engaging with policymakers and regulators, MULTIR supports the quick assessment and integration of new discoveries into #healthcare systems. This approach not only accelerates the translation of research into practical treatments but also aligns with major EU initiatives, maximizing the use of European resources.   The expected impact of MULTIR is significant on multiple levels: ▪ Scientifically, it aims to improve our understanding of tumor-host interactions. ▪ Technically, it will create a unique and harmonized data resource on three major cancer types, accessible to the research community within legal and ethical frameworks. ▪ Societally, it promises to stimulate drug discovery and develop an AI-based predictor for treatment response, thereby improving patient outcomes.   ✨ Through its pioneering methods and collaborative framework, MULTIR is ready to have a profound impact on cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients and advancing the field of #oncology. Discover how MULTIR is pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment and making a collaborative impact. If you'd like to follow our progress, visit us here: Follow MULTIR on LinkedIn : https://lnkd.in/e6Y-GCnr & Website : https://www.multir.eu/ #Technology #Health #DataScience #Collaboration #Science #ClinicalTrials

Exploring Uncharted Paths in KRAS-Driven Cancer Research: Beyond the Horizon of G12C Mutations In the field of cancer therapies, the focus has long centered on KRAS inhibitors, with a particular emphasis on the G12C mutation. However, the landscape is swiftly transforming, revealing new facets in the battle against KRAS-mutated cancers. This blog delves into epidemiological insights, therapeutic progress, ongoing clinical trials, and unexplored possibilities within the KRAS inhibitors market, providing a glimpse into the future beyond G12C. Precise therapies hinge on understanding the geographic distribution of KRAS mutations. Artificial intelligence (AI) takes center stage, analyzing vast datasets to offer valuable insights into KRAS mutation prevalence across regions. This knowledge enhances treatment precision, ensuring tailored approaches align with the unique characteristics of patients' tumors. Progress and Promise in the Therapeutic Landscape of KRAS Inhibitors Navigating the therapeutic landscape reveals groundbreaking developments in KRAS inhibitors. Lumakras, a key player, showcases substantial efficacy in treating NSCLC with KRASG12C mutations. Progress extends to colorectal cancer treatment, instilling hope for those with metastatic colorectal cancer. These advancements underscore the promising strides made in combating KRAS-mutated cancers. Clinical Trials Paving the Way for Advancing KRAS Inhibitors The journey beyond G12C involves a robust pipeline of clinical trials for diverse KRAS inhibitors. KRAZATI, an innovative therapy, is making waves in these trials, offering novel avenues for treating KRAS-mutated cancers. These trials signify a crucial phase, potentially redefining standards in cancer treatment and ushering in a new era of precision medicine. A Glimpse into the Future: Conclusion In conclusion, the journey beyond G12C in the KRAS inhibitors market witnesses significant strides in AI, cancer therapies, and the treatment of colorectal cancer and NSCLC. As clinical trials unfold and therapies like KRAZATI gain momentum, the future holds promise for a more targeted and effective approach to KRAS-mutated cancers, offering renewed hope to patients worldwide. The untapped potential in the market indicates that the best is yet to come in the fight against KRAS-mutated cancers. Explore the future of KRAS-driven cancer research with Delveinsight. Unlock new avenues beyond G12C for groundbreaking insights and advancements. https://lnkd.in/gd2_8S6R #healthcare #healthcareconsulting #krasinhibitor #krazati ##g12c #nsclc #krasinhibitor #krasmutatedcancer #g12cmutation #aiinhealthcare #aiinhealth

The global multi-cancer early detection market, currently valued at US$0.89Bn, is predicted to reach approximately US$2.5Bn by 2030; an impressive CAGR of 16.3%. (1)   The key drivers for the early cancer detection market’s expansion include rising cancer rates, government emphasis on early detection, and the development of precise tests capable of simultaneously detecting various cancers that lack efficient screening approaches. One of the simplest and most cost-effective means of doing this is to develop blood tests to detect the presence of biomarkers for different cancers, such as the CIZ1B biomarker, which is highly associated with early-stage lung cancer.   Early diagnosis and detection have been a key topic of discussion across British media in recent weeks, largely driven by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) recently launched #CancerManifesto which sets out measures and commitments the next UK government must take in order to reduce the cancer mortality rate by 15% by 2040 – helping to prevent 20,000 cancer deaths every year.   Most notably for Cizzle Biotechnology plc, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) outline the need to ‘Drive earlier diagnoses by implementing proven measures, including a lung screening programme, to diagnose cancers early and reduce inequalities in access.’ (2)   Almost half of cancers are diagnosed at a late stage (3). The latest report from Cancer Research UK (CRUK) notes that NHS England is not on track to meet its current target of diagnosing 75% of cancer patients early (at stage 1 or 2 by 2028). Too many people are still being diagnosed at stage 4 when treatment options are limited, and survival rates are poor.   Across the UK, and globally, we need access to innovative diagnostic solutions that can detect cancer sooner.   That is why we are transforming testing strategies; to help detect early-stage lung cancer. Our low-cost, highly effective blood test can detect CIZ1B, which is highly associated with lung cancer at its earliest stage. We announced last year that we are working with Bio-Techne, a global leader in bioscience solutions, to develop their Simple Western system as a high throughput platform for our tests. The automation, sensitivity, small sample input and quantitative nature of the Simple Western system makes it ideal for supporting assays of this nature.   We know that the earlier we can detect cancer, the better outcomes for patients and the greater our chance of survival. Diagnosing cancer earlier ensures everyone has access to the best treatment options available and could mean less expensive treatments for the NHS. Together, we can innovate to beat cancer. #longerbetterlives #CIZ #Cancer #LungCancer #UniversityofYork #CancerResearch 1.     https://lnkd.in/e4gcV7Gd 2.     https://lnkd.in/emD34dmP 3.     https://lnkd.in/e2NkUFN2

We have some incredible news to share! In collaboration with BioBridge Global we have collaborated to complete non-clinical viability studies on cryopreserved T-cells, with outstanding results. Utilising our vertically integrated cryopreservation solution, BioBridge Global has completed T-cell testing on three separate donors to measure the cell viability after cryopreservation. T-cells are the crucial raw material for the novel CAR T-cell therapies which are rapidly evolving forms of cancer treatment for critically ill patients. BioBridge Global’s Flow Cytometry data confirms that T-cells cryopreserved using Vitrafy’s cryopreservation solution have viability comparable to fresh T-cell samples. The results produced are impressive with significantly high post thaw viability of 94%, well above industry standards and a huge leap forward for Vitrafy. Cancer stands as a leading cause of death in Australia, with 49,000 people dying per year: the equivalent of 135 people a day. In the US, it is far greater with 602,350 deaths being attributed to cancer in 2020. Hope is on the horizon as medical science continues to develop revolutionary treatments such as CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy. To date, many cancer patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy have gone into complete remission. For some, the clinical effects are profound and sustained; for example, two CAR T-cell treated leukemia patients reached complete remission in 2010 and have remained cancer free for over a decade. These groundbreaking treatments rely on high quality advanced manufacturing processes that require cryopreservation to achieve success. One of the primary obstacles is the cost associated with these therapies, making them inaccessible to many patients, with the average cost per treatment ranging from US$500,000 to US$1 million. The prohibitive cost is a major limitation to these therapies being available at scale. The focus for Vitrafy is to make efficiencies in the manufacturing process, reducing the cost for patients whilst retaining the quality of the treatment to give the best chance of success. Effective T-cell cryopreservation is a big step in that direction as the quality of these cells has a major impact on how quickly the treatment can be available for patients. The global cell therapy market size was valued at US$21.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14.15% from 2023 to 2030. Vitrafy has identified the revolutionary CAR T-cell therapy as its highest commercial and social value offering, with a significant opportunity to lead the way in setting new quality standards utilising its innovative cryopreservation solution. We’re thrilled to achieve these impressive results in collaboration with BioBridge Global and believe that our cryopreservation technology has the potential to optimise CAR T-cell manufacturing processes with the goal of providing a better-quality treatment for patients.

The CEO Roundtable on Cancer and its nonprofit organization, Project Data Sphere, have been working on tackling the challenges posed by immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in cancer immunotherapy. These adverse events occur when the activated immune system inadvertently attacks healthy tissues, leading to a range of complications. The lack of specific diagnostic codes for irAEs has hindered accurate documentation, tracking, and management of these events, ultimately impacting patient care and research. As part of the Global Oncology Big Data Alliance (GOBDA), launched in 2017 in collaboration with Merck KGaA, the CEO Roundtable on Cancer and Project Data Sphere have spearheaded research and advocacy initiatives that I'm happy to announce have resulted in the approval of new ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes for irAEs in the US. These codes are scheduled to be rolled out across the country on October 1, 2024. The approval of these codes in the US is a significant milestone in addressing the challenges posed by irAEs. Many individuals and organizations have contributed to making this achievement possible, and their efforts are greatly appreciated. Merck KGaA, as a key partner in GOBDA, has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have also made invaluable contributions through their insights and collaboration. Healthcare professionals on the frontlines, such as Dr. Kerry Reynolds from Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Elad Sharon (Dana Farber, formerly at NCI) have shown unwavering dedication to caring for patients affected by irAEs and helping advance this initiative. The approval of the new ICD-10-CM diagnostic codes for irAEs showcases the impact of collaborative research and advocacy. The CEO Roundtable on Cancer, Project Data Sphere, and our partners have proven that by working together towards common objectives, we can surmount significant challenges as we continue to develop new ways of improving the lives of patients with cancer. https://lnkd.in/eG7peCnb

The power of collaborative efforts to improve patient safety - The approval of new ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in cancer immunotherapy to facilitate the accurate documentation and tracking of irAEs and enable developing optimal strategies for mitigating the risks associated with immunotherapies. The diagnostic codes are to improve recognizing and managing irAEs and can strengthen risk mitigation strategies by facilitating the development of personalized risk assessment tools and targeted prevention strategies.

Amazing achievement by multi-organizational expert team tackling complex issue of proper reporting and oversight of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Congrats to team including Kerry Reynolds and Elad Sharon! We are in new times as number of approved immunotherapies for cancer patients is rapidly growing. Availability of easily traceable data via irAEs dedicated ICD-10-CM code associated with particular immunotherapy regimens and modalities will be very informative. It will enable deciphering treatment options with truly best management practices and safety-efficacy profile for cancer patients once at the bed-side and under real-world conditions. Truly great news for cancer patients in the US. #immunooncology #immunotherapy #cancer #patient safety #irAEs #patient first

Imagine if a startup drug company launched a novel oncology drug and aggressively marketed it directly to consumers without FDA approval. Concerned, the US National Cancer Institute funds a clinical trial to evaluate this novel drug class. Then the startup, self-proclaimed leader in the field, refuses to participate in the trials. I know, you're right, would never happen! Anyway, on an unrelated note, excellent article in-depth article ("Questions Swirl Around Screening for Multiple Cancers With a Single Blood Test") in the Journal of the American Medical Association (note JAMA, not Fortune!). Well worth a read. Seems to me they buried the lede: turns out Illumina GRAIL will NOT participate in the NCI's Vanguard clinical trial. Very odd as I would have thought Grail would fully support the study's goal to "systematically evaluate MCED technologies and develop evidence-based guidelines for cancer screening." "GRAIL President Joshua Ofman said his company isn’t interested in participating. “We have so much more data already."" 😳😳😳 "The platform study, which will enroll 24,000 individuals in one of four arms, is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2024 to simultaneously test three MCD interventions against a common control group." [Only 2 MCD tests now as Grail has declined.] "Physicians, patients, and payers all need evidence demonstrating that their use in cancer screening will improve health outcomes. " "Screening with MCD assays comes with many unknowns. If we screen a population of asymptomatic patients long-term... will there be a reduction in mortality from cancer?” “What happens if you have a positive MCD test, you go through the diagnostic workup, and then there’s no diagnosis? Do you get tested again in a month? Two months? Three months? A year? What’s that timeframe?”" "It likewise remains a mystery how many people might be subjected to unnecessary MCD tests and if they would have complications from those procedures. For some cancers, just because you detect it early doesn’t mean you can make a difference to the clinical outcome.” [Some more Grail irony: one of Grail's founders was once head of the NCI 🙄]

Dear Colleagues,   We have an upcoming educational program, titled 'Improving Care For Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) using Evidence-Based and Guideline-Informed Biomarker Testing'.   Worldwide, lung cancer caused an estimated 1.8 million deaths in 2020. In the United States, there are over 230,000 new cases of lung cancer and 130,000 deaths annually. However, survival after diagnosis has been improving, likely due to screening and treatment advances (e.g., targeted therapy and immunotherapy). Adoption of comprehensive testing for the full complement of guideline recommended driver mutations has been slow and many patients with NSCLC who test positive for actionable mutations fail to receive corresponding targeted therapy. Therefore, the aim of this program is to bring together community oncology teams to identify these barriers, promote interaction between oncologists and pathologists and produce action plans to improve biomarker testing and use of targeted therapies in NSCLC. The other goal of this program is to identify and overcome system-, team-, and individual-level barriers that contribute to delays in cancer screening, diagnostics, treatments and overall care of this patient population.   We conducted a baseline survey to understand the perceptions of healthcare providers involved in the care of these patients. Now, we invite you to join a 1-hour audit-feedback program led by expert speaker, Dr. Julie Brahmer, MD, MSc ( Director, Thoracic Oncology Program, Co-Program Leader, Cancer Immunology Program, Professor of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at John Hopkins University ), with I serving as Moderator. The program will help to understand the role, efficacy, side effects monitoring and management along with addressing the barriers involved in the care of this complex patient population.    Please save the date for this virtual learning session on Thursday, OCT 12, 2023, at 6:00 PM EST.   CME/CE credits provided. Further details about joining the session are as below: 1. 10 mins before the session, click here  https:// livecme.org/Indianapolis7 or copy and paste this URL into your internet browser, preferably Google Chrome. 2. Complete the pre-survey 3. Click the "Launch Meeting" button to access the session 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to join the meeting 5. Complete the post-survey by clicking the "Continue" button and submit   I am very confident that this opportunity will improve our understanding of this patient population and our roles in their care. Please try your best to attend the event.   Looking forward to joining you all for this learning session.     Best Regards,   M Sarfraz Nawaz

Diagnosing the “Silent Killer”: AI Tackles Early Stage Ovarian Cancer A major bottleneck in early detection is the molecular heterogeneity between ovarian cancer (OC) patients, which limits the likelihood of identifying individual biomarkers that are shared among patients. In a new study “A personalized probabilistic approach to ovarian cancer diagnostics,” published in Gynecologic Oncology, researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology have addressed this challenge by applying machine learning (ML) on patient metabolic profiles to identify biomarker patterns for personalized OC diagnosis. While early diagnosis is often crucial for successful cancer treatment, accurate diagnostics is especially challenging for diseases, such as OC, which progress rapidly yet display little clinical symptoms during the early stages of disease. While the average five-year survival rate for late-stage ovarian cancer patients with treatment is only 31%, that number rises to over 90% when the cancer is detected and treated early. The Georgia Tech researchers developed ML-based classifiers that were able to distinguish cancer from control samples with 93% accuracy when tested over 564 patient samples from Georgia, North Carolina, Philadelphia, and Western Canada. John McDonald, professor in the School of Biological Sciences at Georgia Tech and corresponding author of the study, told IPM, “the big buzz in therapeutics is targeting individual genes for personalized therapy. That can work if you have the same target in all of the patients with that disease, but that may not be the case. When we look at the success of targeted immune therapies in OC, it only works in about 5% of patients because the patients are so heterogeneous.”