The landscape of cancer diagnostics is rapidly evolving, with an increasing emphasis on earlier detection, precision patient stratification, and real-time therapy monitoring. For Dr. Erez Podoly, Vice President of R&D at Cleveland Diagnostics, the future of the field lies in the ability to translate complex proteomics into clinically actionable diagnostic tools.
Dr. Podoly leads the development of advanced blood-based cancer diagnostics, with a specific focus on novel protein biomarker assays and early-detection oncology platforms. His team is currently addressing a significant blind spot in modern diagnostics: while many current approaches rely heavily on genomic sequencing or total protein quantification, they often overlook critical disease-related changes in protein structure.
A primary area of focus is post-translational modifications (PTMs). These modifications fundamentally alter protein surface chemistry and conformation during early malignant processes. Traditional immunoassays frequently fail to detect these subtle structural shifts, which can limit diagnostic specificity. To overcome this, Cleveland Diagnostics developed IsoClear™, a proprietary platform engineered to capture cancer-modified PTM profiles and significantly enhance biomarker performance.
The platform adapts Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS) - an industrial bioseparation method -into a high-resolution diagnostic tool. By utilizing calibrated polymer matrices and fluid mechanics, the system separates proteins based on minute differences in solubility and structure. Dr. Podoly notes that this methodology is transformative, turning biomarkers that might otherwise be dismissed as nonspecific into highly precise, actionable diagnostic tools.
For a diagnostic biomarker to be truly transformative, analytical sensitivity is not enough; it must demonstrate clear clinical utility. In practice, this means the test must empower physicians to make more informed decisions while optimizing the benefit-to-harm ratio for the patient. A truly useful biomarker supports earlier detection, refines therapy selection, clarifies prognosis, or helps clinicians avoid unnecessary, invasive treatments.
Dr. Podoly also emphasizes the critical importance of the patient perspective. Blood-based diagnostics offer a less invasive, more accessible alternative to traditional tissue biopsies, facilitating the frequent, longitudinal monitoring required for modern disease management. For these tests to achieve broad adoption, however, they must integrate seamlessly into existing clinical workflows and offer a compelling cost-benefit profile.
Looking toward the next decade, Dr. Podoly anticipates several fundamental shifts in oncology. He expects minimal residual disease (MRD) tracking, multi-cancer early detection (MCED), and AI-driven biomarker analysis to become standard. Furthermore, he envisions the rise of integrated “Rx-Dx” platforms, where diagnostics are woven into the drug-discovery process. By combining deep biological insight with scalable, practical technology, the next generation of diagnostics will move beyond static snapshots, enabling the real-time, personalized care that is essential to the future of oncology.
