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Thermo Fisher Scientific Joins the Cancer Moonshot Initiative to Help Advance Precision Medicine

Thermo Fisher Scientific
17 Oct 2016
Jenny Stevens
Account Manager

Industry news

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, has joined the Cancer Moonshot, an initiative led by Vice President Joe Biden aimed at making more therapies available to more patients while also improving cancer detection at early stages and, ultimately, preventing the disease. Initially, Thermo Fisher will join a liquid biopsy-based precision oncology pilot, called the Blood Profiling Atlas designed to make it easier for oncologists to access databases of liquid biopsy information when diagnosing patients.

“The Cancer Moonshot is an ambitious, all-hands initiative that requires the best minds and best technologies working collaboratively,” said Marc N. Casper, president and chief executive officer of Thermo Fisher Scientific. “As part of our broader focus on precision medicine, which includes investments to accelerate the development of more effective cancer screening, detection, monitoring and treatment, we’re honored to contribute our data and expertise to this important initiative.”

Thermo Fisher is already an active collaborator globally in the war on cancer, working with governments and private sector partners alike to support advancements in precision medicine. Active projects include the National Cancer Institute’s Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH) clinical trial in the U.S. The company is also supporting groundbreaking research by the Karolinska Institute in Sweden to demonstrate the potential of integrating both protein biomarkers and genetic markers in a single test for prostate cancer.

Consistent with the Cancer Moonshot mission, Thermo Fisher is focused on helping to make precision medicine technologies more mainstream so that new diagnostics and therapies have clinical application and utility. Current research under way includes developing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) tumor detection tests, providing more effective ways to monitor responses to immunotherapy and advancing liquid biopsy techniques.

“Thermo Fisher’s unique breadth of precision medicine solutions enables us to play an important role in initiatives such as the Cancer Moonshot,” said Alan Sachs, chief scientific officer for Thermo Fisher. “From mass spectrometry for protein research to next-generation targeted gene sequencing, we can offer a wealth of technologies, insight and data to make an immediate contribution to the work that other collaborators are already doing.”

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Mass SpectrometryMass spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical technique used to identify and quantify molecules based on the mass-to-charge ratio of gas-phase ions. It provides detailed information about the structure, composition, and properties of compounds and is widely used across fields such as environmental monitoring, materials science, drug discovery and development, food and beverage testing, and wider chemical research. Key MS techniques include tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LS-MS) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS). Choosing from these wide range of techniques and technologies can be a daunting task, so keep up to date with scientific applications, performance expectations, and customer reviews here all in one place. Visit our product directory to receive quotes direct from the manufacturer. 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The main methods of protein crystallization include sitting drop, hanging drop and microbatch. It is important to control parameters such as pH, temperature and concentration. Following crystallization, detectors and software are used for data collection and analysis.Clinical ChemistryBiochemistry (or clinical chemistry) involves the analysis of bodily fluids using chemical tests. Techniques used include HPLC, chromatography, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, immunochemical, electrophoresis, turbidometric / spectrophotometric assay, MRI and ISE analysis. Tests are often carried out on plasma or serum but urine (urinalysis) and fecal specimens are also processed.Cancer DiagnosticsThere are a wide variety of diagnostic tests for cancer available, and this range continues to expand as our knowledge of cancer improves. Current diagnostic methods include biopsy, imaging and blood tests for known biomarkers. New methods in research development include liquid biopsies and cancer breathalyzers.Blood AnalysisThe analysis of blood is vital for many areas of life sciences and forensic investigations. Blood samples can be tested for a number of different reasons such as diagnosis, glucose levels, cholesterol and drug testing.Big DataBig data is described as data sets that are extremely large and complex, and can be challenging to process.Precision MedicinePrecision medicine refers to the idea of customized healthcare, where medical decisions and treatments are tailored to the individual patient. Molecular diagnostics, companion diagnostics and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) play a pivotal role in this approach. Liquid BiopsiesLiquid biopsies are non-invasive tests used to detect cancer and other diseases by analyzing blood or other bodily fluids. This technique is gaining popularity for early detection, monitoring treatment response, and detecting minimal residual disease. 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