DiMe, Moffitt Cancer Center to Co-Host CancerX Partnership

In response to the White House Cancer Moonshot, the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe) and Moffitt Cancer Center announced they are co-hosting CancerX, a new public-private partnership effort to rapidly accelerate the pace of cancer innovation in the U.S., alongside the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH).

The partners also announced CancerX’s inaugural project, which will focus on using digital innovation to reduce disparities and financial toxicity in cancer care and research.

CancerX said it blends DiMe’s expertise in convening cross-disciplinary groups to develop clinical-quality resources on a tech timeline with Moffitt’s research and care experts working side-by-side. The initiative is open to all those working in the field who are committed to working collaboratively and share a vision of unleashing the power of innovation to design and create a future that's free of the burden of cancer.

“The Cancer Moonshot’s mission is to cut the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years and improve the experience of people and their families living with and surviving cancer,” said Catharine Young, Ph.D., assistant director of cancer moonshot engagement and policy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in a statement. “To achieve these goals, we must amplify digital innovation, which is the mission of the newly formed CancerX. With DiMe and Moffitt’s leadership, this public-private partnership will advance best practices in cancer care, improve outcomes, and make real progress toward ending cancer as we know it.”

“One of the greatest challenges to leveraging new digital innovation in cancer care is the complexity of the data required to make smart decisions quickly. As our ability to effectively and efficiently access and interpret data from multiple streams has matured, we have an unprecedented opportunity for innovators and new innovations to contribute to achieving our Cancer Moonshot goals,” said Micky Tripathi, Ph.D., national coordinator for health information technology, in a statement

CancerX will use a three-pronged approach to generate impact in cancer research and care:

1. Conducting pre-competitive evidence generation: A series of multi-stakeholder project teams will develop evidence, best practices, toolkits, and value models to drive success. The first project, “Advancing Digital Innovation to Improve Equity and Reduce Financial Toxicity in Cancer Care and Research,” is starting today.
2. Establishing an Accelerator cohort: Mentorship, education, and exposure to funding and partnership opportunities for a start-up cohort. The first cohort will be announced in fall 2023.
3. Leading demonstration projects: Implementation projects will pilot novel approaches to demonstrate value and sustainability for scale to drive broad adoption. The first demonstration project will begin in 2024.

“In its first year, CancerX will convene leaders in the field from all industries serving all people with cancer, said Jennifer Goldsack, CEO of DiMe, in a statement. Through an integrated program of applied research, accelerated industry innovation, and implementation projects across the country, CancerX is structured to ignite efforts to triumph over cancer and transform the lives of millions. And there’s no time to spare — our critical work is already underway with the launch of our first pre-competitive project” 

“We are honored to co-host CancerX and pave the way to effectively leveraging digital innovation in the fight against cancer and reducing incidence, burden and disparities in cancer care. Digital innovation can improve the lives of everyone living with cancer and we must prioritize the opportunities for the greatest impact,” said Edmondo Robinson, chief digital officer of Moffitt Cancer Center, in a statement. “By harnessing our diverse strengths and expertise, we have the ability to impact the lives of every person, caregiver and researcher working on a cancer journey. CancerX offers the potential to bridge the gap between the world of cancer care today and our vision for the future.”

The first pre-competitive evidence generation project, kicking off immediately, convenes a multi-stakeholder group of experts to assess, quantify, and enhance the impact of digital solutions on cancer care cost, access, and outcomes dimensions. The organizations participating include: American Cancer Society; Biofourmis; Blue Note Therapeutics; Cancer Support Community; Current Health, A Best Buy Health Company; Family Reach; Genomate Health; the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Lightship; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK); National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI); Office of The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC); Pluto Health; Sidekick Health, Science 37; Takeda Digital Ventures; Tempus; TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 

Organizations and individuals who are interested in participating can visit https://cancerx.health/ for more information.