Clinical algorithms are increasingly important in the race to identify high-risk patients — especially at the early and potentially curative stage of the disease.
Each year in Germany, approximately 500,000 people are diagnosed with cancer.1 For affected patients, early detection is essential to increase their chances for survival.2 Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in particular is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally. However, if identified at an early state, surgical resection offers a favorable prognosis, with 5-year survival rates of more than 70%.3
Clinical algorithms are increasingly important in the race to identify high-risk patients — especially at the early and potentially curative stage of disease. Beginning in December 2022, Prof. Dr. R. Lichtinghagen, laboratory director at University Hospital in Hannover – Medizinische Hochschule Hannover – committed to utilizing the CE certified algorithm GAAD hosted by Algorithm Suite digital solution to capture the clinical benefits of the GAAD solution for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
According to Prof. Dr. Lichtinghagen, results of the study bode well for enabling local digital transformation in HCC patient management on a larger scale, with a continually expanding certified algorithm library.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.4 Frequent testing in high-risk groups is demonstrated to improve survival by 37%.5 Diagnosis usually occurs at late stages due to asymptomatic courses, which drastically reduces patient survival. By using clinically validated algorithms, such as the GAAD algorithm, a risk score can be determined by combining two biomarkers with the patient’s sex and age, aiding in the diagnosis of HCC at an early stage.
Algorithm Suite, a novel cloud-based platform introduced by Roche in 2022, aims at enabling and supporting the integration of clinical algorithms such as GAAD into the technical IT workflow of laboratories or hospitals.6 Prof. Dr. Lichtinghagen’s study project at Hannover Hospital focuses on evaluating the value and usability of an algorithm and a cloud-based platform in clinical practice, including efforts to integrate and implement these tools into the everyday workflow and practice in the clinic and laboratory.
The CE-marked GAAD algorithm is connected to the hospital’s laboratory information system (LIS) or hospital information system (HIS) via the Algorithm Suite cloud-based platform. For patients with relevant pre-existing conditions, the algorithm can be requested as a standard parameter in laboratory testing.
To support early detection of HCC, four data points (Age, Sex, Elecsys PIVKA-II and Elecsys AFP results) for the patient are considered. The result is a clinically validated semi-quantitative risk factor score that may indicate increased risk for HCC, supporting a decision by the treating physician to recommend further diagnostic workup.
Adoption of Algorithm Suite carries a relatively low resource burden and integration into the workflow can be achieved with only light efforts from customer IT admin, typically numbering hours throughout the integration journey.
“The GAAD algorithm is like a digital parameter that runs in routine as a normal laboratory value – now we have no additional effort!”
Prof. Dr. R. Lichtinghagen
Learn how Prof. Dr. Lichtinghagen from the University Hospital Hannover in Germany reflects on the challenges and opportunities for the implementation of clinical algorithms.
0:00 What are the key challenges in the oncology field?
01:14 What are the main challenges in the hospital delaying progress?
02:22 What is the benefit of clinical algorithms?
03:41 What has changed in your daily workflow since you started using Algorithm Suite and GAAD algorithm?
04:49 What advantages does Algorithm Suite offer?
As reported by Prof. Dr. R. Lichtinghagen in a semi-structured interview, results of the study project include the following key data points:
“Integration through the Algorithm Suite increases data security and standardizes our processes.”
Prof. Dr. Ralf Lichtinghagen
The early detection of cancer is just one example of the promising use of clinically validated algorithms. The cloud platform as a secure IT infrastructure and interface for connection to a customer’s existing LIS or HIS enables scaling of the available algorithms, such as for cardiology or chronic disease, to further indications.
To enable rapid adaptation and expansion of the range of clinically validated algorithms, the cloud platform can be expanded to include algorithms from various start-ups and partner companies.
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Algorithms: From screening to post-discharge monitoring, medical algorithms can lead to improvement in clinical outcomes and allocation of resources.
References & notes
*Disclaimer: Individual lab results may vary, and testimonials are not claimed to represent typical results. All testimonials are from real participants, and may not reflect the typical purchaser’s experience, and are not intended to represent or guarantee that anyone will achieve the same or similar results.
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