The Role of Algorithms in Molecular Tumour Boards-Managing the Gap Between Research and Clinic in Precision Medicine

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2250500
AutoresDominik Hofmann (0000-0002-3392-8644, Faculty of Sociology Bielefeld University Bielefeld Germany), Enrico Esposito (0000-0002-3075-292X, Faculty of Sociology Bielefeld University Bielefeld Germany)
Ano2025
Volume47
Fascículo4
Páginase70040-e70040
Data de publicação2025-05-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociology of Health & Illness (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0141-9889 • E-ISSN: 1467-9566
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9566.70040
PMID40317566
OpenAlexW4410019806
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas64

The article explores the role of algorithmic procedures in the implementation of the programme of precision medicine (PM), currently pursued in molecular tumour boards (MTBs) that emerged from the confluence of previous tumour boards and the increasing molecularisation of medicine. Our observation of the deliberations in MTBs, confirmed by interviews with participants, shows that the crucial contribution of algorithms in all stages of the processing of molecular data is neither acknowledged nor mentioned. One reason, we argue, is that these highly innovative technologies are very distant from the traditional skills and training of clinicians. The mediation through MTBs provides algorithmic procedures with the viability required to be implemented in medical decisions-and is more effective the more it goes unnoticed. Contrary to the widespread assumption of a blurring boundary between research and care, we claim that the intensification of contacts and exchanges among research endeavours and clinical operations makes the separation between the two fields increasingly sharp. As a consequence, there is a need for new forms of translation, which are accomplished by MTBs

Algorithm · Data science · Mediation · Pathology · Precision medicine · Social science · Sociology · Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Education · Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics · Computer Science · Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research · Medicine · Psychology