New molecular diagnostics and imaging tools in individualized therapy for breast, thyroid and prostate cancer

The project received funding under the second competition of the National Center for Research and Development in the STRATEGMED "PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CIVILIZATION DISEASES" program. The project leader is the M. Skłodowskiej-Curie Oncology Center. The consortium includes the Medical University of Warsaw, the Silesian University of Technology, WASKO S.A., the Polish Society of Endocrinology, the Polish Society of Pathologists, the Medical University of Łódź, ENTE Sp. z o.o., NOVUM S.A. The aim of the project is to create tools supporting decisions in the field of local treatment of better prognosis tumors: breast, thyroid, prostate, and thus to achieve a significant reduction in the aggressiveness of oncological therapy and reduce its social and economic costs, without compromising its effectiveness. Innovative molecular tests will be based on tumor genomics, taking into account the heterogeneity of its weaving. The molecular test and the supporting ultrasound analysis of the thyroid tumor will be used to decide whether the patient requires complete thyroidectomy or less extensive treatment. The test will be prospectively validated in a nationwide multicenter study. For prostate cancer, the developed tool will classify the tumor's aggressiveness (molecular Gleason index) in terms of the decision on its initial treatment. In breast cancer, an optimal classification of the molecular tumor subtype will be obtained on the basis of a molecular test based on a coarse needle biopsy. A mobile application for three-dimensional visualization of tumor volume based on radiological images of various modalities (including MR and PET/CT) as well as tools for positioning this image in relation to the body will be created. An algorithm for determining the necessary tumor margins based on molecular and imaging tests will be developed, which will support decisions about the scope of surgery.