Refocus, Rewire and Revel World Cancer Day 2025

Can AI and Next Generation Sequencing bring relief, hope and resilience, placing people and patient at the center of care?

World Cancer Day is commemorated every year on February 4^th to increase cancer awareness, mobilize action and boost prevention to address the epidemic. The theme (2025-2027) is “United by Unique,” emphasizing a people-centered approach to cancer care and personal stories to underscore empathy and inclusivity. People living with cancer need to be heard, understood and seen as they deal with the emotional highs and lows of cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

Did you know that more people died of cancer than conflicts and wars in 2024? The startling statistical trend stems from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) record, which exhorted that more than 200,000 people succumbed to battles, remote violence, explosions and violence against civilians in 2024. Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute estimated over half a million deaths (611,720) from cancer in 2024 in the U.S. alone. Moreover, over two million cancer cases are estimated in 2025 in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. The number of new cancer cases globally could be pegged at 29.9 million and the figure of cancer-related deaths is expected to clock up 15.3 million by 2040.

Amidst alarming cancer cases, there is light at the end of the tunnel through the advent and developments of next generation cancer diagnostics, generative AI in healthcare and clinical oncology next generation sequencing.

Enabler of Next Generation Cancer Diagnostics

The oncology ecosystem is witnessing a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer with the rise of DNA sequencing, AI and precision oncology. Personalized cancer vaccines-in line with the United by Unique theme-have forayed into the next generation cancer diagnostics market with the hope of producing fewer side effects than conventional chemotherapy. In May 2024, a new NHS England program was rolled out to expedite personalized cancer vaccines, which are expected to create an immune memory to dissuade cancer from returning after chemotherapy or surgery.

Elsewhere, in August 2024, the U.S. FDA reportedly gave a green signal to Illumina’s next-generation cancer biomarker test and companion diagnostics. The company claims the TruSight Oncology Comprehensive test to be the first FDA approved. It states that TSO Comprehensive probes RNA and has the innate ability to detect a vast range of known and novel gene fusion partners across all three neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase gene fusions.

Mapping Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing

Next generation sequencing has brought a seismic shift to optimize patient outcomes through personalized medicine. Cancer specialists have vouched for NGS to open new horizons in clinical oncology to provide high throughput, speed and scalability. It does not end here.

• NGS also provides sensitivity and accuracy; FDA noted that NGS merely requires one test to enable clinicians to better assess tumor composition. These trends suggest the clinical oncology next generation sequencing market could observe investments galore.

• To illustrate, Taiwan announced the inclusion of NGS testing from May 1^st, 2024, benefiting more than 20,000 cancer patients per year. In doing so, the government earmarked around NT$300 million (around USD 9 million) for the measure that complements the trend of using precision medicine for cancer treatment.

With recent years witnessing investment abound in next generation sequencing; a personalized treatment plan is poised to be prevalent to underscore a people-centered approach.

Where AI in Oncology Shines

Personalized cancer treatments for patients present a clarion call to jump on the bandwagon and inject funds into artificial intelligence. In June 2024, researchers from the University of Oxford developed AI-powered personalized cancer treatments that will allegedly be “more effective” at negating patient relapse. Mathematical modeling with AI can redefine the clinical treatment of cancer and reduce costs.

Meanwhile, Researchers at Stanford Medicine have rolled out an AI model to include language and visual-based information. In January 2025, Stanford Medicine introduced a new AI tool that combines data from medical images with text to anticipate treatment responses and cancer prognoses. The AI in oncology industry sits aptly to facilitate cancer treatment and enhance access to cancer care.

In essence, AI has become invaluable in augmenting cancer screening, diagnosis and detection. The FDA has given a green signal to the marketing of AI-based software to help pathologists detect regions of prostate biopsy images (that may contain cancer). Predominantly, the National Cancer Institute has sought AI to boost prostate and cervical cancer screening.

Generative AI in Healthcare is a Game Changer

Generative AI promises to enhance patient experience and clinical outcomes as biopharma and investors expect the technology to reduce the time spent on patient visit documentation and reimbursement communication. There are expectations for Gen AI to enhance member and patient engagement and experience and quality of care. In April 2024, Microsoft (as part of its commitment to use Gen AI in precision health) exhorted that it had joined forces with Providence on prototype AI to enhance care for cancer patients, expedite progress in assessing cancer and possibly find cure or treatment. As generative AI in healthcare market brings a tectonic shift globally, stakeholders expect a people-centered approach to be “United by Unique.”

From Closing the Care Gap to United by Unique: Personalized Care Goes Mainstream

As the baton is passed from “Closing the Care Gap” (2022-2024) to “United by Unique” (2025-2027), the world stands exuberantly with optimism, expecting advanced cancer treatments to cater to the unique needs of each individual. Nevertheless, oncology service lines require bespoke solutions and technologies, including NGS and generative AI, to provide a continuum of personalized care for patients with (including but not limited to) lung, liver, breast, bladder and colon cancer.