Individualised therapies instead of interdisciplinary data analysis

Whoever suffers from kidney disease usually makes their way to nephrology experts. However, the symptoms can also be due to other causes. While medicine often only looks at one organ, systems medicine takes a broader view of the entire human system. It combines methodological approaches from genome and post-genome research (so-called „omics“data) with digital analyses. To this end, data from genes, proteins, metabolic products, lifestyle and the environment are collected and correlated in virtual computer models. This is made possible by the use of modern technologies such as imaging techniques, sensors and computer algorithms.

The first concepts for establishing systems medicine in Germany are already in place. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding this project since 2013 with the e:Med research programme and a budget of 200 million euros. In many projects, mathematicians and information scientists are working together with doctors and biologists from universities, large research institutions, clinics and industrial companies across Germany. In five different modules, they analyse genetic material, proteins or metabolic products from biosamples such as blood, urine or tissue. The resulting findings are used with mathematical models to predict the effects of drugs and therapies.

Systems medicine approaches for a more individualised therapy

„Today, we can diagnose and classify many diseases much more accurately and thus treat them more specifically. For cancer in particular, systems medicine approaches have led to the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers at different levels, such as DNA or protein level, which enable individualised therapy. For many diseases, the genetic background has been discovered, but currently all omics levels are already being included, which also have an influence," says Silke Argo from the e:Med project office. The project „Digimed Bayern – für die Medizin der Zukunft“ is a significant step towards digitalisation for improved healthcare in the field of cardiovascular diseases. The aim is to combat heart diseases such as atherosclerosis through individualised prevention, diagnosis and treatment. To this end, extensive health data from patients with atherosclerosis is being collected and analysed. In addition, important activities for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes have been initiated.

Artificial intelligence helps with data collection

Data collection using sensors, imaging or laboratory findings is medical technology's contribution to systems medicine: a Fraunhofer project shows that automated data collection and analysis will work reliably in the future with the help of artificial intelligence methods. Researchers at Fraunhofer IPA, in cooperation with Mannheim University Hospital and the medical faculty, have realised a system for taking medical histories and recording vital data for admission to hospital, where the direct presence of medical staff will no longer be necessary.

A sensor system with an avatar for questioning the patient is at the centre of the new system. Integrated infrared cameras measure body temperature, sensors determine heart and respiratory rate, microphones record breathing sounds or the voice. „Ideally, the patient does not notice much of this because he or she is simultaneously answering the questions of a virtual doctor about his or her medical history and symptoms“, explains Fraunhofer researcher Jens Langejürgen. „The consistency of the data and the consistently high quality also help to recognise the progression of illnesses at an early stage and to be able to react accordingly. This data also forms the basis for training algorithms that have the potential to significantly improve medical care for patients.

Systems medicine is the topic at Medtec Live with T4M

In principle, systems medicine does nothing more than a good family doctor: it takes a holistic view of the patient, takes their history and lifestyle into account when making a diagnosis and establishes connections that are not visible at first glance. The diagnosis is then based on experience and the knowledge of the doctor. „Systems medicine takes this holistic approach to a whole new level because it can analyse more data precisely and put it into context than humans can. This is one of the major topics for the future of medical care in Germany. The technologies for data collection - from sensors to imaging - are the topics of Medtec Live with T4M in May in Nürnberg“, says Christopher Boss, Managing Director of the medical technology trade fair at Nürnberg Messe.

Article from "medizin & technik" from 14 April 2023