Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Hab. Anna Bajek, Faculty of Health Sciences, CM UMK
The OncoBioTrack project addresses a critical need in modern oncology: improving patient stratification through the use of innovative multi-omics profiling technologies. According to GLOBOCAN data, cancers are among the leading causes of death worldwide, with 19.3 million new cases and nearly 10 million deaths annually. Projections indicate a 47% increase by 2040, posing a significant challenge for global healthcare systems.
Particular attention is given to aggressive cancer subtypes, which are characterized by limited responsiveness to standard therapeutic protocols and poor prognosis. Contemporary research clearly highlights the fundamental role of the microbiome and metabolome as sources of biomarkers with prognostic and predictive potential in oncology practice.
The primary goal of the project is to develop advanced patient stratification tools based on comprehensive microbiome-metabolomic analyses, integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) methods. The research will involve multi-dimensional analyses of biological material obtained from patients with aggressive cancer forms, utilizing metagenomic sequencing, metabolomic profiling, and advanced immunoprofiling.
The project’s innovation lies in implementing an integrated digital biobanking platform that enables systematic cataloging, management, and integration of multi-omics, clinical, and imaging data. AI algorithms will be applied to analyze these multidimensional datasets, enabling the construction of predictive models with significantly higher accuracy compared to currently available biomarkers.
A strategic component of the project will be the clinical validation of developed biomarkers and the development of a prototype clinical decision support system. OncoBioTrack represents a pioneering approach compared to conventional single-parameter biomarkers, with the potential to significantly enhance therapeutic precision and improve outcomes for oncology patients.