GE HealthCare and Mayo Clinic on Wednesday announced a new radiation therapy initiative, known as GEMINI-RT.
WHY IT MATTERS
The collaboration is just the most recent between the two organizations and builds on the radiology research strategy the two giants signed in 2023.
They aim to combine Mayo's clinical and research expertise with GE's technical and engineering expertise to help advance prediction, planning, automation, workflow and monitoring for radiation oncology.
The GEMINI-RT initiative seeks to integrate imaging, advanced therapies, dosimetry and patient monitoring across each step of the patient journey to deliver more comprehensive, personalized cancer care.
It also aims to make personalized treatment approaches more accessible with more streamlined, data-driven approaches.
It's focused on four strategic areas: automation, predictive oncology, multi-modal therapies and connected care.
GE and Mayo will collaborate on AI-enabled tools that can eliminate repetitive tasks and accelerate treatment planning. They'll also harness clinical insights to personalize cancer treatment decisions and improve outcomes.
They'll explore approaches that combine radiation with emerging treatments like targeted drugs and precision heating for more effective care, while using AI, biomarkers and sensors to monitor patients beyond the clinic – ideally predicting side effects early and supporting home-based treatment.
GEMINI-RT Research and activities will be based at Mayo Clinic’s Rochester, Minnesota, campus and is focused on advancing the 2023 strategic radiology research alliance with GE, which was developed to innovate new approaches to MRI, theranostics treatments, and diagnostic and interventional ultrasound.
THE LARGER TREND
The news announcement notes that radiation therapy is used in more than half of oncology cases worldwide – including more than 2 million patients each year in the U.S.
GE HealthCare made big news earlier this month with its $2.3 billion acquisition of Intelerad, which it hopes will advance its goals for AI-powered, cloud based precision medicine and oncology offerings.
At Mayo Clinic, meanwhile, the pioneering health system is embracing AI and using real-world data to push forward its own innovations for personalized treatments.
ON THE RECORD
"GEMINI-RT is grounded in the concept of 'twinning the patient, personalizing the beam,'" explained Dr. Bryan Traughber, vice chair of innovation for radiation oncology at Mayo Clinic. "The combination of research and technological acumen could allow us to model individual patient journeys with precision, enabling radiation therapy treatments that are truly tailored to each patient."
"This effort enables us to collaborate on solutions that are not only leading-edge but also clinically meaningful, helping shape the future of personalized radiation therapy," added Dr. Ben Newton, GE HealthCare's global head of oncology. "By integrating innovative technology and AI across the care continuum, we can improve clinician experience, support high-quality patient care, and help reduce burnout among care teams."
Mike Miliard is executive editor of Healthcare IT News
Email the writer: mmiliard@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS publication.
