The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and IBM Watson Health have extended their partnership to use artificial intelligence (AI) to interpret the cancer data of U.S. veterans.
The partnership was first announced two years ago as part of the National Cancer Moonshot Initiative. VA oncologists are using IBM Watson for Genomics to analyze data from more than 2,700 veterans with cancer, supporting more precise oncology care as part of a VA program for stage IV cancer patients.
In the VA's precision oncology program, data from tumor samples are sent from VA medical centers around the country to a central hub in Durham, NC, where pathologists and oncologists sequence the tumor DNA. They then use AI to interpret the genomic data, identifying relevant mutations and potential therapeutic options that target those mutations, according to the VA.
Under the extension announced this week, VA oncologists will be able to continue using Watson for Genomics through 2019.
