IU Precision Health Challenge Makes Progress

Indiana University’s 2016 Grand Challenge aims to advance precision medicine. The precision health challenge seeks to advance treatment and cures for diseases common in Indiana such as cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

Indiana School of Medicine’s Dr. Anantha Shekhar says researchers made great progress with a multi-disciplinary approach that uses genomics, biotherapuetics and immunotherapy. 

"In fact today, right now at University Hospital, the first patient with defused large beta cell lymphoma is receiving their first CAR-T cell therapy," says Shekhar

Shekhar says a cure is closer than ever in three focus areas. 

"Those three cancers are multiple myeloma, triple negative breast cancer and pediatric sarcoma," says Shekar. 

The initiative also announced a new health interview project that will reach 2,000 Hoosiers across the state. Participants will be asked about different health topics including behavioral and environmental health. IU Bloomington Vice President Lauren Robel says they know DNA is not the only determinant of health. 

"Our life stories, our experiences, our attitudes about treatment, our family influences, our communities are all important in who we are as individuals," says Robel. 

The initiative has recruited more than 30 scientists from all over the country and created clinical and research infrastructure.