The Role of Data in Precision Oncology

The promise of precision medicine in oncology is predicated on the availability of accurate, high quality data from the clinic and the laboratory. Likewise, a Learning Health System is one in which we use data to monitor that we are following guidelines and care pathways to deliver the best care and not revert to prior practices (regression testing for care!) and also provide real world evidence to determine effectiveness and identify populations that would benefit from novel therapies. Into this mix of clinical drivers are the rapidly changing capabilities in instrumentation, computing, data science, and the pervasive use of sensors and smart devices - many of which have health applications. A few of the opportunities will be highlighted in leveraging the increasingly digital landscape in healthcare and biomedical research as we move toward a learning health system for cancer.