Optimata says new system effective at predicting cancer response

The study used Optimata's computerized technology known as the Virtual Cancer Patient Engine (VCP). The trial was aimed at testing the accuracy of the VCP in predicting the response of patients to one of two commonly used chemotherapy drugs, single agent docetaxel or doxorubicin.

In the study the VCP looked at how the drugs would affect the growth of the cancer, how the drugs would behave in the body and how the cancer cells would respond to the drugs.

The results show that the prediction accuracy of the VCP was 70%. This is substantially higher than the current prediction accuracy of oncologists which is estimated to be 25-30%.

“Every cancer is slightly different and every patient will respond to treatment differently. We wanted to find a way to predict how patients would respond to a particular drug in order to limit their side effects and give them the best chance of beating their disease,” said Dr Abhik Mukherjee from Nottingham City Hospital, UK.

“This was a very interesting early study that could potentially have a big impact on how cancer patients are treated in the future. Tailoring treatments to individual patients will ensure the best possible outcome for every patient,” said Kate Law, director of clinical trials at Cancer Research UK.