Clinical OMICs - Volume 3, Issue 9 - 26

ities for recruiting and monitoring patients with a focus on patient engagement. A key aspect of the PMI cohort is the shift from a "physician-centric" model to a "patient-centric" model. In today's internet-connected, mobile-phone-carrying, electronic-medical-record-enabled world, much of the patient and medical information that previously required physician interaction now can be obtained directly from the patient. Combine this with advances in genomic technologies that enable full genome and transcriptome analysis for a drop of blood, and it is now possible to go directly to the patient for many studies. A Direct-to-Patient Research Model Consistent with the goals of PMI, Los Angeles-based DxTerity Diagnostics recently launched is Direct-to-Patient (D2P) Platform, which streamlines qualification, consenting, genomic profiling and patient monitoring, and allows the whole process to occur from the convenience and privacy of a patient's home. Patients are recruited using a combination of social media, health websites, Google, and research foundations as well as physician organizations, if available. Patients are directed to a website that describes the study and asked a series of questions to determine eligibility. Qualified patients are digitally consented, and sent a blood collection kit that the patient uses to self-collect 100 microliters (about 4 drops) of blood from a fingertip. The patient returns the sample by standard mail. No refrigeration is required. Electronic Data Capture (EDC) monitors and tracks patient samples, and Patient Reported Outcome Cancer Database (continued from page 7) "Understanding the biology of cancer from the patient data will provide invaluable insight into various cancers and how to treat it in the most precise manner." The Galas lab will apply to the data its proprietary computational biology method to develop a better understanding of cancer development and progression. It will be the first time the lab has used its technology for cancer research. To date the lab has successfully used its approach to analyze data ranging from RNA profiles in patients with 26 Clinical OMICs September 2016 (PRO) data is collected via a web interface. Upon receipt of the samples by DxTerity, a full range of genomic analysis is possible, as well as testing of a limited menu of protein markers. Importantly, unlike saliva collection or cheek swabs that only support DNA analysis, blood enables transcriptome analysis (RNA), which is particularly useful for monitoring immune response. An added benefit of D2P is the ability to perform more frequent monitoring of patients, enabling researchers to characterize and monitor populations very closely and at any frequency (even daily), rather than the standard two- to four-month intervals. This increased monitoring frequency is particularly useful for characterizing a patient's response to a treatment change or for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis that are prone to cycles of remission and flare. Overall, patient-centric clinical studies like those empowered by DxTerity's Direct-to-Patient platform are an important innovation in genomic research, and should lead to significant advances in precision medicine. The potential cost savings and health benefits of precision medicine are exciting. The first rule of medicine, however, is still to do no harm, and new genomic tests need to be validated prior to incorporation into routine medical care. Bob Terbrueggen is CEO of DxTerity Genomics, a Los Angeles-based developer and marketer of genetic tests. autoimmune disease to childhood development. "Allowing (Dr. Galas's) extremely innovative analytical platform to survey our Cancer Database will enable Indivumed and collaborative research partners to better understand the complexity of cancer and to translate their specific targets and biomarkers in the context of the clinical world of cancer," said Hartmut Juhl, M.D., Ph.D., founder and CEO of Indivumed. "Overall, we hope to get closer to the development of a true precision medicine for cancer patients." www.clinicalomics.com http://www.clinicalomics.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clinical OMICs - Volume 3, Issue 9