Tempus uses interactive analytics, machine learning to fight pancreatic cancer

The third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America—and expected to become the second by 2020—pancreatic cancer has killed more people than breast cancer and has a survival rate of only 8 percent at five years. To fight the growing number of deaths due to pancreatic cancer, Tempus is using interactive analytics and machine learning to give physicians the tools to examine pancreatic cancer at a molecular level to provide more advanced personalized care.

"We have built a platform that merges powerful analytics with cutting edge bioinformatics to empower physicians to make data-driven decisions tailored to each patient's unique molecular profile," said Eric Lefkofsky, co-founder and CEO of Tempus.

Recently selected to provide genomic sequencing and analytics to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Precision Promise initiative, Tempus will be collecting and evaluating genomic data using statistical analysis, machine learning and proprietary algorithms to deliver real-time decisions to each patient.

Gathering information on each patient involves complex molecular profiling to match the tumors molecular makeup to which Precision Promise sub-study will best benefit their type of cancer. This personalized care gives physicians a way to determine the best treatment options for each patient based on the molecular makeup of their cancer.