Caris Life Sciences, a biosciences company focused on precision medicine, announced the designation of West Cancer Center in Memphis as a Center of Excellence site in the Caris Centers of Excellence for Precision Medicine Network. Additionally, Lee S. Schwartzberg, MD, Medical Director of West Cancer Center, has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Network, helping to guide the development of standards for tumor profiling, design tumor profiling research protocols, and foster a collaborative environment for Network members.
“Molecular profiling is quickly becoming a critical component of cancer care, as increasing numbers of clinicians rely on advanced tumor profiling technologies to better inform their approach to cancer diagnosis and treatment. This is particularly true of rare and aggressive cancers, which are notoriously difficult to treat,” said Dr. Schwartzberg, who is also Division Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Professor of Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. “We are excited to join the Network and to form a consensus framework for how molecular profiling can be best applied to enable more precisely targeted therapeutic decision-making for each patient.”
As a Network member, West Cancer Center will actively participate in the development of standards of care and best practices for integrating and utilizing molecular profiling in oncology practice, while also striving to increase widespread adoption and patient access to personalized medicine in clinical settings.
“We are very pleased to partner with Dr. Schwartzberg and West Cancer Center to develop standards for incorporating tumor profiling into clinical care for patients with cancer,” said John Marshall, MD, Chairman of the Network, Professor of Medicine and Oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Chief of Hematology/Oncology at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. “The Caris Centers of Excellence for Precision Medicine Network aims to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the financial burden of cancer care. We look forward to working with other high-impact institutions, like West Cancer Center, and continuing the expansion of this network.”
As Vice Chairman of the Network, Dr. Schwartzberg will co-lead the development of standards and best practices for incorporating profiling into clinical care while also creating a large cooperative group of both academic and community-based oncology practices. The Network will pursue outcomes-focused research projects, create optimal tissue-handling protocols for profiling, and establish profiling educational forums for physicians and patients. ■
