NYU Langone's Leap into AI-Driven Cancer Treatment

NEW YORK, NY – January 12, 2026 – In a move poised to reshape the landscape of cancer care, NYU Langone Health's Perlmutter Cancer Center has announced an ambitious initiative to embed serial molecular profiling into the standard treatment protocol for its patients. The program, a deep collaboration with AI-driven precision medicine company Tempus, aims to create a new paradigm where cancer is continuously monitored and treatments are dynamically adapted to a tumor's genetic evolution.

The initiative seeks to move beyond the static, one-time snapshot provided by a traditional diagnostic biopsy. Instead, it will create a living, longitudinal map of each patient's cancer journey. This will be accomplished through a new observational study, titled "Serial Molecular Profiling and Monitoring of Human Cancer," which will become a cornerstone of care at the NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A New Standard of Cancer Monitoring

At the heart of the new protocol is the practice of serial molecular testing. Patients enrolled in the study will have their cancer's genetic makeup sequenced not just at diagnosis, but at regular intervals throughout their treatment. This approach, which often utilizes less invasive "liquid biopsies" that analyze circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the bloodstream, allows oncologists to track a tumor's response to therapy, detect the emergence of drug resistance, and identify new therapeutic targets in real time.

Initially, this intensive monitoring will be available to all patients being treated for breast, lung, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal cancers at Perlmutter Cancer Center's main Manhattan location. The health system plans a phased expansion to include all cancer types across its entire network, including facilities on Long Island and in Brooklyn, with the ultimate goal of making this data-driven approach a universal standard of care.

The initiative is spearheaded by a pair of distinguished physician-scientists. Dr. Shridar Ganesan, a medical oncologist and director of the Center for Molecular Oncology, is a recognized expert in precision oncology. Dr. Kwok-Kin Wong, director of scientific innovation at NYU Langone Health, is a pioneer in cancer biology and therapeutics.

"The launch of clinical research led by observation protocols represents a significant milestone for our Center for Molecular Oncology," stated Dr. Ganesan. "By combining the most advanced molecular diagnostics available with a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to provide patients with treatments that are uniquely tailored to the specific molecular characteristics of their cancer, with the ultimate aim of improving outcomes and reducing toxicity."

The Power of Partnership: Academia Meets AI

This transformation in patient care is powered by a multi-year strategic research collaboration with Tempus, a technology firm at the forefront of applying artificial intelligence to healthcare. The partnership extends far beyond a simple vendor-client relationship for genomic sequencing. It represents a deep integration of academic medicine and tech innovation, designed to accelerate discovery and clinical application.

Tempus brings to the table one of the world's largest libraries of clinical and molecular data. The company's platform uses AI, machine learning, and natural language processing to structure and analyze vast, multimodal datasets. This collaboration will involve joint studies focused on validating new diagnostic assays, discovering novel biomarkers, and, most critically, developing sophisticated AI-powered algorithms. These predictive models will be trained on the longitudinal data gathered from NYU Langone patients to forecast treatment response, identify resistance mechanisms before they become clinically apparent, and match patients to the most effective therapies or clinical trials.

Dr. Wong emphasized the strategic importance of this synergy. "Our team is dedicated to not only uncovering novel insights into cancer at the genomic level but also transforming these insights into actionable steps that directly benefit patients," he said. "This initiative is a critical step in creating the new standard of care for cancer."

Navigating the Landscape of Precision Oncology

While other leading institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have robust precision oncology programs, NYU Langone's initiative is distinguished by its stated ambition for universal application. The goal is to make serial molecular profiling a routine component of care for every patient, effectively democratizing access to this advanced level of personalization within its health system.

This approach signals a fundamental shift from treating cancer based on its organ of origin to treating it based on its unique and evolving molecular identity. By creating a continuous "movie" of a patient's cancer rather than relying on a single snapshot, clinicians hope to stay one step ahead of the disease, making proactive adjustments to treatment plans.

The collaboration with Tempus also places the initiative at the center of a major trend in medicine: the fusion of academic research powerhouses with agile technology companies. Such partnerships are seen as essential for breaking down traditional silos and shortening the timeline from laboratory discovery to patient bedside.

The Human Element: Promises and Practicalities

For patients, the promise of this initiative is profound: more effective treatments with potentially fewer toxic side effects. By precisely targeting the drivers of a person's specific cancer, oncologists can move away from one-size-fits-all chemotherapy regimens and toward a more refined, individualized strategy.

However, the implementation of such advanced technology is not without practical considerations. The high cost of repeated genomic sequencing and targeted therapies presents a significant hurdle in the broader healthcare landscape, and insurance coverage for serial monitoring can be variable. While the integration of these protocols as a "standard of care" within a major health system may help pave the way for wider reimbursement, questions of patient access and equity remain paramount.

Furthermore, collecting such a vast repository of longitudinal genomic and clinical data carries significant ethical responsibilities. The entire research endeavor operates under the strict oversight of an Institutional Review Board (IRB), which ensures that patient privacy is protected through rigorous data de-identification and security protocols compliant with HIPAA. The process requires a robust informed consent framework, ensuring patients fully understand how their data will be used for both their own care and for future research that could benefit countless others.