Children’s Hospital Colorado Launches Precision Medicine Institute

To increase diagnostic accuracy and advance the customizability of treatment for various conditions, Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) launched the Precision Medicine Institute.

Precision medicine focuses on providing treatment in the most personalized way possible. Launched at Children’s Colorado, the Precision Medicine Institute leverages technological capabilities to consider large datasets when composing custom care plans. Through this new unit, specialists can treat various pediatric conditions such as cancer, rare neurodegenerative diseases, cystic fibrosis, cardiomyopathy, and others.

Children’s Colorado also emphasized the value it places on health equity. Data collection from underrepresented groups is made possible by raising access to genetic testing.

"Our investment in precision medicine is critical in that it drives the future of medicine and patient care. The work will focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, and education to ensure the most comprehensive and holistic care now while enabling integrated research that will result in future discovery," said David Brumbaugh, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Children's Colorado, in a press release.

According to the press release, about half of rare diseases occur among kids. Although traditional methods of diagnosis can take time, genomic treatments are accelerating capabilities.

"It is an exciting time in medicine where previously untreatable conditions now have therapies being developed," said Scott Demarest, MD, Clinical Director of the Precision Medicine Institute. "Children's Colorado is uniquely positioned to advance genomic therapies in partnership with our vibrant research community on the Anschutz Medical Campus and generous donors. Together, we are using technology to integrate advancements into everyday patient care."

The press release also made note of a $5 million gift from Elizabeth “Betsy” Searle, chair of the Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation Board of Trustees, that supported this project.

Similar efforts have involved implementing precision medicine to enhance care.

In November 2022,  MedStar Health and a precision medicine technology company known as Zephyr AI, Inc. began a partnership. Through their work, they aimed to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled precision medicine tools to care for chronic diseases, starting with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

As these two organizations collaborated, MedStar Health provided de-identified T2D datasets and patient management expertise. This allowed for the further development of Zephyr AI’s predictive analytics product, Insights. 

This effort was advanced by the use of AI to address unmet precision medicine needs.

“Our partnership with Zephyr AI is a breakthrough opportunity to develop innovative artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, starting with type 2 diabetes, to benefit our patients and our providers,” said Stephen R.T. Evans, MD, MedStar Health's executive vice president and chief medical officer, in the press release. “Together, Zephyr AI and MedStar Health can develop technology that brings the promise of precision medicine to chronic diseases, and that complements our existing programs to improve outcomes and reduce costs for people with diabetes.”

Another effort from September 2022 used genomic data from the UCLA ATLAS Precision Health Biobank to improve health equity and precision medicine.

Upon analysis of this resource, researchers came across a diverse patient population. Using this data would help to include patient groups that are often underrepresented. The dataset that the researchers used contained an accurate depiction of the diverse community of Los Angeles. According to the press release, this is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world.

These instances and Children’s Colorado’s actions are integral displays of precision medicine efforts. As healthcare continues to evolve, precision medicine needs are often considered. These occurrences also emphasize the importance of including diverse patient populations.