In this presentation, Torbjorn Furuseth, co-founder of DoMore Diagnostics, introduced the company’s innovative approach to personalising cancer treatment through artificial intelligence and digital biomarkers. Furuseth explained that while the genomic profile of a tumour is important, it is only one aspect of understanding cancer’s behaviour. He highlighted the significance of other factors such as epigenetics, gene expression, tissue patterns, and the tumour’s stroma, all of which contribute to the tumour’s aggressiveness and the patient’s potential benefit from treatment.
Furuseth noted that the breakthrough in immunotherapy has underscored the importance of the immune response within the tumour microenvironment. By leveraging advanced algorithms trained to analyse these complex features, DoMore Diagnostics now offers a higher level of precision in risk assessment than traditional gene analysis alone. Their technology is applicable across all cancer types, but the company has prioritised colorectal cancer, particularly in stages 2 and 3, where medical need is greatest.
Each year, one million patients undergo surgery for colorectal cancer, with most being cured. However, a subset experiences recurrence, making the decision to administer chemotherapy critical. Furuseth pointed out that chemotherapy is highly toxic, with up to half of patients suffering serious side effects and a third experiencing chronic health issues post-treatment. The company’s digital biomarker test segments tumours and provides a comprehensive risk score, helping to identify patients who are unlikely to benefit from chemotherapy and thus sparing them unnecessary toxicity and healthcare costs.
The technology has been validated in large patient cohorts and published in leading medical journals. Furuseth shared data demonstrating that low-risk patients, as identified by their test, derive little benefit from chemotherapy, potentially saving €3 billion annually by avoiding overtreatment. The company’s solution is scalable, requiring only digitised routine slides for analysis, and is being integrated into clinical workflows and commercial platforms.
Ongoing work includes expanding validation cohorts, combining their marker with genomic and liquid biopsy approaches, and extending applications to other cancer types. Furuseth concluded by inviting further engagement and collaboration to advance precision medicine.
