GE Healthcare in cancer collaboration
GE Healthcare is to join forces with Oxford University in the UK to study the pathology of colorectal cancer, with the aim of achieving earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The two-year collaboration is said to be the first ever to focus on developing a comprehensive disease management programme that will focus on improved staging of the disease using both imaging and genomic pathology, targeted therapy selection and efficacy assessment, and overall-treatment monitoring. A major goal will be to create a coherent picture of a patient's disease and determine the most effective treatment.
The study could act as a model for changing and improving the way a variety of cancers and other diseases are treated. GE Healthcare will contribute expertise in genomic and information technologies. Oxford University will provide clinical data and medical and research expertise.
The project aims to shift the colorectal cancer model from late disease to early health - predicting disease based on genetic analysis and selecting treatment customised to the individual. GE Healthcare and Oxford will study technology to aid in four major stages: prediction, screening, diagnosis and treatment.
'The ultimate goal of the collaboration between GE Healthcare and Oxford University is to redefine the detection, diagnosis and treatment timeline of colorectal cancer,' said Dr Bill Clarke, executive vice president and chief technology and medical officer, GE Healthcare. 'This is a holistic and patient-focused approach - one we believe can have a meaningful and positive impact on people suffering from this life-threatening disease.'