In a groundbreaking development presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2024 Annual Meeting, Tempus, in collaboration with Pfizer, unveiled new data that could significantly broaden the therapeutic horizons for patients suffering from various tumor types. The analysis, meticulously titled “Analysis of HER2 prevalence by RNA expression across solid tumors,” heralds a promising avenue for the deployment of HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugates beyond their traditional application in breast and gastric cancers.

HER2, a protein that plays a pivotal role in the growth of cancerous cells, has been predominantly associated with breast and, to a lesser degree, gastric cancers. Targeted therapies, particularly HER2-directed antibody-drug conjugates, have profoundly impacted the treatment of these cancers, offering hope and extended survival to patients. However, the prevalence and potential therapeutic leverage of HER2 expression in other solid tumors have hitherto been underexplored.

Tempus, a Chicago-based firm esteemed for its innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI) in advancing precision medicine, has, through this study, brought to light the widespread RNA expression of HER2 across various solid tumors. By correlating HER2 protein levels determined through immunohistochemistry (IHC)/in situ hybridization (ISH) and ERBB2 mRNA levels assessed by next-generation sequencing (NGS), the study found RNA expression indicative of HER2 activity in multiple solid tumor types beyond the well-documented spheres of breast and gastric cancers.

This revelation emerged from a concerted effort that saw Seagen (recently acquired by Pfizer in December 2023) and Tempus embarking on a collaborative research endeavor in 2022 aimed at examining cohorts of patients with notable HER2 RNA expression. Leveraging Tempus’ extensive multimodal database, the partnership was geared towards enriching Pfizer’s HEOR (Health Economics and Outcomes Research) and Translational Science team’s research, aiming to accentuate the landscape of HER2 expression in solid tumors.

Ryan Fukushima, Chief Operating Officer of Tempus, articulated the significance of their collaborative research with Pfizer, highlighting the groundbreaking potential of extending the application of HER2-targeted treatments to a broader patient demographic. According to Fukushima, the study’s insights were derived from an analysis of 4,500 de-identified records, underscoring the vastness and the depth of the data harnessed to drive this research.

Tempus stands at the forefront of integrating AI with healthcare to usher in a new era of precision medicine. With an expansive library of multimodal data at its disposal and an innovative operating system designed to render this data both accessible and functional, Tempus is committed to providing AI-enhanced precision medicine solutions. These solutions are aimed not only at enabling personalized patient care but also at streamlining the discovery, development, and delivery of optimal therapeutics.

The findings presented at AACR 2024 underscore the potential of extending the benefits of HER2-targeted therapies to patients with solid tumors beyond breast and gastric cancers. This could transform the treatment landscape for numerous cancer patients, offering new hope and potentially life-saving interventions to those who previously had limited options. As research continues to unravel the molecular complexities of cancer, collaborations like that of Tempus and Pfizer illuminate the path towards a more personalized and effective cancer treatment paradigm.