NEW YORK – BostonGene and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami have teamed up to validate blood- and bone-marrow based assays for hematologic cancers.
In the first study within the collaboration, researchers will compare BostonGene's artificial intelligence-powered molecular and immune profiling platform to traditional methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and cytogenetics for clinical testing of bone marrow aspirates in multiple myeloma patients. Their aim is to develop diagnostic and prognostic strategies for managing the disease and improve the accuracy of molecular subtyping for more personalized treatment strategies.
"Our goal is to fundamentally change how these cancers are diagnosed and managed, bringing us closer to a future where cancer care is precisely tailored to each patient's unique condition," BostonGene Chief Medical Officer Nathan Fowler said in a statement.
In a publication in Cancer Cell in May, BostonGene described the characterization of five immunotypes among cancer patients that correlate with response to different cancer treatments, including immunotherapy. In that study, researchers used BostonGene's machine learning-based cell deconvolution platform Kassandra to analyze results of bulk RNA-seq from patient blood samples.
The Waltham, Massachusetts-based company has inked similar collaborations with other research institutions, including a partnership with the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and Japan's Saga University inked in April and deals signed in January with Prisma Health and Duke University School of Medicine.