To fight pediatric cancer, Dell donates cloud computing resources
NEW YORK -- Dell says it will use its cloud computing muscle to help power research into the treatment of pediatric cancer.
The company is donating its technology -- computing architecture as well as data exchange capabilities -- through its "Powering the Possible" program.
The Translational Genomics Research Institute will use the cloud computing resources to conduct the world's first personalized medicine trial for the condition. Dell says the technology will reduce the time needed for tumor mapping and will provide data to clinicians in real time, improving collaboration among physicians, researchers and pharmacists.
At a press conference in New York, Giselle Sholler, co-director of the Van Andel Research Institute's Pediatric Cancer Translational Research Program, explained to reporters that this was the first trial to use molecular guided individualized therapy for pediatric cancer.
“We have chosen to target neuroblastoma initially because we feel that it is the greatest need in pediatric oncology at this time,” Sholler said. “But we do intend to expand beyond neuroblastoma."
In a Q&A session, James Coffin, general manager for Dell Healthcare and Life Sciences, explained to ZDNet the role cloud technology would play in the treatment of neuroblastoma.
The project will reduce the amount of time needed for analysis and mapping of patients with neuroblastoma, Coffin said, and will offer targeted treatment for patients enrolled in the trial.
“We can see what drugs will work with patients,” he said.