A human body is a minefield of data (and so is the world of knowledge)…. imagine interconnecting these nuances in health and disease to fulfil gaps in what we know and what we do not…!

The impact of cancer on a patient, their family and society is beyond measure.

While many labs and institutes are tirelessly working towards a cure of cancer, attempting to decipher their behaviour, biology, genetics, natural history, outcome etc., these efforts are largely in silos. Only few genetic abnormalities in malignant brain cancer are known to modern medicine (e.g. glioblastoma or metastatic cancer or cancer in eloquent brain regions), with many more unknown; most succumbing to disease within months; many not even tolerating radiation-chemotherapy, and many living with cancer, as part of journey and life….

The outcome of glioblastoma has not changed since its early knowledge (now almost a century), and yet surgeons, scientists, innovators worldwide struggle to find answers, impactful solutions.

And what about all brain cancers (or other systemic cancers afflicting populations alike) – benign, malignant, metastatic (distant tumour travel from skin, lungs or kidney…)? Do these contribute to one’s disease behaviour or that of others suffering similar cancer? Is there a hidden link based on their genetic make-up, or that of their family members’ or that of the populations or geographical distribution… or even work or travel history?

Led by Dr. Garnette Sutherland, Professor of Neurosurgery and globally known technology innovator/inventor, INTERCONNECTIVITY explores if the answer lies within the world of data, depth of knowledge and interconnections linked by similarity or differences.

This research team (with a track record of translating research innovations to the operating room (OR), for widespread clinical adoption through advanced digital platform), has created a unique brain tumor-specific data architecture (using knowledge graph), called INTERCONNECTIVITY. A knowledge-driven intelligent software platform, INTERCONNECTIVITY is architected to accommodate and weave through all linked information on a given patient, make connections, and extract meaningful insight - supported by a population of patients and linked knowledge. Multiple data nodes, linked and interfaced with proprietary generative knowledge extraction algorithm (multi-modal AI), derive intelligent reasoning through linkage to global pool of information and best practices, e.g. the NIH, clinicaltrials.gov, genome libraries, WHO, lead clinical journals, etc.

A dynamic digital data repository that grows with each new patient receiving care, INTERCONNECTIVITY can update itself, getting better with incremental data or patients added to its graph database. Built to expand, with robust foundational platform, this vision is novel, the model real, and incorporates evolving advances at global scale. A human-brain like  network of data connectivity across disease and patient-specific problem, INTERCONNECTIVITY will interrogate brain cancer, with contextual details, known and unknown to fulfil gaps in knowledge, and utilize every information, in exploring and advancing comprehensive cancer care and understanding.

Utilizing patient data, e.g. MR imaging, tumor pathology/genetic characteristics, past medical history, other disease or surgery (a remote biopsy of a mole, or kidney or lung…), clinical status before and after surgery, age, race-heritage, occupational history, family illnesses, travels-geographic linkage, etc., INTERCONNECTIVITY securely links one patient to a population and diverse knowledge in the field.

In an era when solutions are expected to be built for communities and applicable across global spectrum, INTERCONNECTIVITY offers this promise!

To find out more or meet with this team or tour Dr. Sutherland’s Project neuroArm research facility, please visit: https://neuroarm.org/connect-support-grow